Introduction

In an earlier post, just a week ago, we explained how the iStill University courses, the iStill Mini recipe development still, and our support during your first mash, fermentation, and distillation, help make you a better craft distiller. But we do more to support your success. This post explains how we take support to the next level.

iStill University Network

Students, that attended iStill University, become members of the iStill University Network. The iStill University Network is a closed Facebook group, where members give peer advice to one another regarding the set-up of their distillery. Very practical topics like “what pump do I need?”, “what’s your bottle supplier?”, “what’s your preferred labeler?”, or “how do you make your whiskey?” are just a few examples out of many discussions and consultations that take place.

The iStill University Network is considered a great source of information on how to set-up your distillery. Imagine dozens of more experienced distillers (at least on the matter you are investigating) helping you out at solving your issues and challenges.

Please note: the iStill University Network is only open for students that participated at an iStill University Course.

iStill Recipe Development

We have a team of 3 colleagues that man the iStill Laboratory. Together, the team has helped develop 300 recipes for brandy, gin, rum, vodka, whiskey, liqueurs, and more. For whom? For our customers. For students that participated at the iStill University, worked on their initial recipes, took an iStill Mini home, and feel they need our help to nail it before they order bigger production size units. And for existing customers that want to expand their product portfolio by introducing new spirits.

We basically have three levels at which our Recipe Development Team can support you:

1. Spirit Evaluation: you send in your drink and we evaluate and benchmark it, and give feedback on where and how to improve (EUR 1.250,-);
2. Recipe Development 1: we help design a drink that is made via distillation or extraction, using neutral alcohol (EUR 5.000,-);
3. Recipe Development 2: we help design a drink where the alcohol is made in-house (whiskey, rum) and optimize for mashing, fermenting, and distillation (EUR 10.000,-).

Please note: our Recipe Development Team only works for iStill customers.

Procedure

If you want to discuss the purchase of iStills or learn more about recipe development, please reach out to Sales@iStillmail.com. If you want to participate at one of the iStill University Courses and/or become a member of the iStill University , then please contact us via Veronika@iStillmail.com.

Becoming a better distiller with iStill …

http://www.iStill.com

Introduction

This post dives into how we support you at being a successful distiller and iStill user. Of course, you, as the craft distiller, are responsible for the actual mashing, fermenting, and distilling that you perform. And, in order to do so correctly, you are also responsible for obtaining the right amount of training and learning, via your own research and reading, via traineeships, with the help of forums or consultants, or via peer advice. We chime in and help you out along your path. Here’s how.

iStill University Course

We offer a 4-day course, where we bring you up to date on the latest science regarding mashing, fermenting, distilling, and aging. It is a great way to learn about distilling, to learn how to develop a recipe, and to experience how the iStills work. With a score of 9.8 on a 10-point scale, it is considered the best course in the craft distilling industry and that’s a great way to get started and find out if craft distilling is meant for you.

iStill Mini

Did you fall in love with distilling in general, and our amazing theories and technology specifically? Then it may be time to take the next step and purchase the iStill Mini. Our product development still helps you finalize recipe formulation, while you gain hands-on distilling experience.

iStill Support

Buying a production size iStill (like the iStill 100, 500, 2000, or 5000) automatically gives you access to four hours of consultancy. Use it to bridge the time, size, and experience gap between the course and the reality of you opening up, between the small-size semi-manual iStill Mini and the big size automated production unit!

Here’s how:

1. Use one hour of support to have us help check your assembly of the iStill, to upload the latest software, and to talk to you about cleaning protocols.
2. Use the second hour to inform us about the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) you want to use for your mashing. Let us check it, before you use it.
3. Use the third hour to inform us about the SOP you want to use for fermenting. Again, let us check it. Four eyes see more than two.
4. Use the fourth hour to share your distillation SOP. Use our experience to help make sure your first distillation run is going to be the success you deserve!

Procedure

1. After you assembled your iStill, send an email to Support@iStillmail.com and name it “Assembly done”. Our support employee will give you a date and time slot for the check to take place, to update you to the latest software, and to instruct you on cleaning protocols.
2. When you want to start mashing in the foreseeable future, send an email to Support@iStillmail.com, name it “First Mash Support”, and include your SOP. As before, our support employee will give you a date and time slot for feedback.
3. When you are planning to start your first fermentation, send an email to Support@iStillmail.com, name it “First Fermentation Support”, and include the fermentation Standard Operating Procedure. Our employee will contact you.
4. Almost ready to distill? As before, send an email and name it “First Distillation Support”, and include your SOP. Our support employee will propose a time and date to help check and give his feedback.

Disclaimer

The runs are your responsibility. Mashing, fermenting, and distilling, even with automated equipment, can be challenging, so make sure that you know what you are doing. The machines we produce have no brain, so you better learn how to use yours! It is among your tasks to make sure you are equipped with the required knowledge and experience to do your runs professionally and safely. Using iStill Support does not take anything away from that responsibility.

Create more control with iStill Support …

http://www.iStill.com