Author Archives: Odin
Steam-Powered iStills!
What’s new?
We are adding steam power to the iStill suite! Distillers and – especially – brewers, that already have a steam generator, can now use it to power their iStills.
Anything revolutionary?
Yeah, a few things. Traditionally, steam generators are used with indirectly heated, double boiler, “Au bain, Marie!”-stills. We don’t like indirect heating, because it prevents the Maillard Reaction from taking place. And as a craft distiller, competing on flavor and quality, you want access to that 25% flavor booster.
The iStill Steam Heating System therefore uses our innovative direct heater design for more control over vapor speeds, faster response times, faster heat-up, improved energy efficiency, and the potential to manage the Maillard Reaction via the (optional) agitator system.
Furthermore, the relatively low steam temperature also helps at preventing potential scorching. In other words: our innovative heat-exchanger design offers direct heating performance with indirect heating wash protection performance.
Finally, we integrated the steam supply – and therefore power supply – into the iStill PLC. What that means? That you have total control over power settings and vapor speeds and the associated flavor composition of the spirits you are producing. Automated? You bet. Over the air updates? Yes, that as well. All the advantages any iStill distillery offers, are now available for existing steam powered breweries and distilleries. Without them having to re-invest in more electrical power.
Pricing & Ordering?
This is a no-cost option. You can choose the standard direct heaters or the steam heating option, without additional charges. Orders can be placed as of right now. More information via Odin@iStillmail.com.
Last month’s beta test set-up …
Last month’s beta test video …
Shakespeare Distillery, UK!
Brixeur Spirits from Oregon, USA, says “Hi!”
Hallo! My name is Tatum Frey and I am the lead distiller at Brixeur Spirits in Oregon, US. My dad, James, bought a 500L and 10L iStill from you in 2020 and we have since launched a full brand that includes multiple gins, whiskies, and vodka.
The iStills have been vital to the success of our business and the iStill university/community is such a valuable tool for distillers everywhere.
Bedankt en proost!
Tatum Frey – Lead Distiller Brixeur Spirits
Ixey Distillery, Kyoto, Japan!
Dennis Mulder Explains Wine Bottle Size!
WHY ARE THE WINE BOTTLES 750 ml?
Wine bottles are usually 750ml (75cl) and not a litre (1,000ml), but where does this specification come from?
The capacity of a bottle of wine normalized in the 19th century and the craziest explanations for this fact emerged, which often corresponded to these hypotheses:
– The lung capacity of a glassblower;
– Average consumption in a meal;
– The best ability to store wine;
– Ease of transport
Well, it’s none of that
In reality it is simply a practical organization with a historical basis: At the time, the main customers of French winemakers were the British.
The British unit of volume was the “imperial gallon” equivalent to 4.54609 litres.
To simplify the conversion accounts, they transported Bordeaux wine in 225-litre barrels, i.e. exactly 50 gallons, corresponding to 300 750ml bottles. (75 centilitres).
Since it was easier to calculate, they adopted a barrel = 50 gallons = 300 bottles.
In this way one gallon corresponded to 6 bottles.
Actually, this is why even today wine boxes often have 6 or 12 bottles.
I read about other theories but I must say I really liked this one.
source: Jonathan Chabat
Another Sunday Joke!
With Energy, Grain, and Finance Costs Tripled, what do you do?
You order iStill, like pretty much the rest of the world, and save 70% on energy expenditure … 🙂
Hungary Embraces iStill!
Cooking goulash & turning pigs into salami … Hungarians all over Hungary are enjoying the iStill way-of-life …
Soligny Wins Best Brown Spirit Award!
Soligny Campagne Spirit is a grain to glass distillery from France. They make whisky from in-house grown barley. Veronique and Vincent, the owners, are amazing entrepreneurs. Amazing and successful entrepreneurs! Their whisky to be just got elected best brown spirit at the Vinexposium in Paris, France. A great and well-deserved reward for all of their hard work! See pictures underneath:
So … on behalf of the iStill Team: congratulations on your success and thank you for choosing iStill. And there’s more good news! Your follow-up order of another iStill 2000 and two iStill Fermenters 2000 is ready. Here are some pictures:
What’s next for the Soligny Distillery? Well, another batch of barley has just been planted on the fields …
The iStill Blog 