The Copper Gin Still — Built for Botanical Distillation, Not Stripped Spirits.
Gin is defined by its botanical bill — juniper, coriander, citrus peel, angelica, orris root, and whatever else the maker chooses. The job of a gin still is to lift those botanicals into the distillate without stripping them flat. That demands two things working together. First, copper — which softens harsh sulphur notes chemically and lets aromatics carry through. Second, the right shape: an alembic pot with a wide, domed helmet rather than a tall fractionating column. The result is a richer, more characterful gin — the kind small distillers chase and large column-still producers cannot reach.
A CopperHolic gin still is the traditional alembic — hand-hammered 1.1 mm pure copper, silver-soldered seams, food-safe throughout. For craft gin work, the 5-gallon ($499) is the most-purchased size: enough volume for a meaningful run, small enough to live on a stovetop or modest gas burner. Botanicals can be added directly to the pot for maceration, or steam-infused via a basket above the water line. Note on legality: distilling spirits in the United States requires a federal TTB permit, and most other countries have equivalent licensing. We supply the equipment; permits and compliance are on you.
"Copper is to botanical distillation what oak is to wine ageing. The vessel participates in the process."
Copper binds sulphur compounds released during distillation, producing cleaner, more aromatic botanical extracts. This is why copper has been the distiller's material of choice for over a thousand years — and why it still is.
What serious botanical
distillers work with.
The defining botanical of gin-style distillation. Pine-forward, resinous, and complex — juniper steam distillation produces one of the most distinctive aromatic profiles in botanical work.
Typically the second botanical in any gin-style formulation. Adds citrus and spice notes that lift and balance the heavier resinous botanicals. Works in harmony with juniper.
Lemon, orange, and grapefruit peels add volatile top notes that give botanical distillates their fresh, aromatic character. Best used fresh for maximum essential oil yield.
An earthy, musky root that acts as a fixative, binding and rounding the other botanical notes. Used in small quantities but punches well above its weight in the final profile.
Green cardamom pods add warm, spicy, slightly floral notes. A small amount goes a long way — cardamom is one of the most aromatic spices available for botanical work.
Dried iris root with a soft violet and powdery character. Another fixative that smooths and integrates the other botanicals, commonly used in classic London Dry-style formulations.
Why is copper better than stainless for gin distillation?
Every serious craft distillery in the world uses copper. Not for aesthetics — though it helps — but because copper actively improves the quality of botanical distillates in ways that stainless steel cannot replicate.
When steam passes through a copper still, the metal reacts with sulphur compounds released from the botanicals. These compounds, if left in the distillate, produce harsh, off-notes that diminish the aromatic profile. Copper eliminates them at the source.
The result is a cleaner, more aromatic extract where the individual botanical notes — the juniper, the citrus, the spice — come through with more clarity and definition.
Which gin still size matches your production scale?
Perfect for developing and testing botanical formulations in small batches. Low material cost per run, fast turnaround, stovetop-ready.
Enough capacity to produce meaningful yields from each run while remaining manageable at home. The size serious botanical distillers return to most. Our most ordered still.
For buyers running large botanical batches, building a dedicated distillation space, or who want the commanding presence of a full-scale alembic still.
Copper gin still —
questions answered.
A gin still is used to extract aromatic compounds from botanicals through steam distillation — juniper, coriander, citrus peel, angelica root, and other botanicals used in gin-style formulations. CopperHolic stills are designed for botanical distillation, hydrosol production, and essential oil extraction.
Copper reacts with sulphur compounds released during distillation, removing them from the final distillate. This produces cleaner, more aromatic extracts with better clarity of individual botanical notes. Every major craft distillery in the world uses copper for this reason — it's chemistry, not tradition.
Juniper berry, coriander seed, citrus peel, cardamom, angelica root, orris root, and cassia bark are classics for gin-style botanical distillation. Lavender, rosemary, and chamomile also distil beautifully and are popular starting points for beginners working with a new still.
The 5-litre is ideal for developing and testing botanical recipes in small batches. The 5-gallon produces more meaningful yields per run and is our most popular size. The 10-gallon suits buyers running larger botanical operations. See the Size Guide for a full comparison.
Yes. CopperHolic stills are designed for home and small-scale botanical distillation — essential oils, hydrosols, floral waters, and aromatic distillates. Each kit includes a care and use guide. See our Safety & Materials page for full details on intended use.
Built for botanicals.
Made to last generations.
Handcrafted copper botanical still kits in 5L, 5-gallon, and 10-gallon. Ships worldwide.
Shop the Copper Still Kit