Why Still Design Matters at The Stillhouse
Every distiller remembers the first time they see their still gleam in the morning light. For us, it was that moment at The Stillhouse when the copper first caught the sun and filled the room with a soft glow, a reminder that this metal is more than just machinery. It’s the beating heart(s) [we've got two of them!] of what we do.
Copper has been at the centre of distilling for centuries, and for good reason. It’s not just tradition or aesthetics; copper genuinely shapes the flavour, aroma, and quality of every spirit that leaves our stills.
The Science Behind the Shine
At its simplest, copper helps clean and refine the spirit as it’s distilled. During production, vapours rise through the still and come into contact with the copper surfaces. Those reactions quietly remove unwanted sulphur compounds, the kind that can give off harsh or vegetal notes, and leave behind cleaner, brighter flavours.
That’s why a spirit from a copper still tastes smoother, rounder, and more balanced than one made in stainless steel. It’s not magic, it’s chemistry meeting craftsmanship.
We’ve noticed it time and time again during our own runs. A slight change in how the vapour flows or how the copper cools can alter the final aroma. That’s what makes distilling both a science and an art; every choice matters. That's why we take notes during every distillation run to ensure things run smoothly and stay on track.
The Character in Every Curve
When you spend enough time around your stills, you start to realise they have their own personalities. Each bend, dent, and joint subtly affects how vapour moves and condenses.
Our stills at The Stillhouse weren’t chosen for looks alone. Their shape, the height of the neck, and the width of the condenser; every detail influences how long the spirit spends in contact with copper and how much reflux occurs inside.
A Distiller’s Dialogue
We often say that distilling is like a conversation between the spirit and the still. The copper listens, reacts, and shapes the outcome. Each development run teaches us something new, whether it’s how different botanicals behave at various temperatures or how the speed of the run can affect the end result.
There’s a certain rhythm to it. You learn when to trust your instruments and when to trust your nose. Over time, you start recognising that slight change in aroma that tells you the hearts have arrived or that the tails are starting to creep in. Copper rewards that attention; it’s responsive, alive in a way that only a hands-on distiller can appreciate.
Beyond Function: A Symbol of Craft
Copper stills aren’t the easiest option. They require care, (sometimes) polishing, and regular maintenance. But we wouldn’t have it any other way. For us, they represent everything we believe in: craftsmanship, patience, and respect for tradition paired with modern precision.
When visitors step into The Stillhouse, the first thing they notice is the warmth of the copper, not just the colour, but the sense of history it carries. It’s a material that has distilled countless stories, from early gin pioneers to today’s small-batch makers. And with every batch we produce, we add one more chapter.
The role of copper in distillation extends far beyond its technical aspects. It’s the quiet collaborator that shapes every bottle we make. Without it, our spirits wouldn’t have the same clarity, softness, or depth of flavour.
So the next time you raise a glass of Biggar Gin, spare a thought for the metal that helped make it. It’s more than just the still; it’s part of the spirit itself.
