How Is Vodka Made?

Understanding The Production Process Of A Spirit Distillery

Distillation is a method of separating the various chemicals or components found in a liquid at different boiling points. When a material is distilled, its purity increases in proportion to its boiling point. Because alcohol has a lower boiling point than water, it must be distilled. 

At a lower temperature, it vaporizes, allowing all the alcohol to be collected and condensed back into liquid form. Doing this eliminates contaminants that may be present in the mixture.

How Is Vodka Made?

There are several vodka distillation methods. The most common is a three-stage distillation procedure. Alcohol is essentially a byproduct of yeast.  

Most alcohols, but not all, get their sugar from raw grain. They begin as starches, but after being boiled with malt or particular enzymes, they become sugar. This is further processed by yeast to produce a variety of compounds, one of which is ethanol alcohol. 

Mashing

First, a mash must be made, which is the basis for the vodka’s flavour and aroma. This fermented, sweetened mixture is made by heating water, grains, and yeast. The purpose of this step is to:

• Combine sugar with the liquid and the yeast.
• Enable yeast to convert sugar into alcohol over time.

After the sugar has been completely absorbed, the yeast will no longer produce alcohol.

Distillation

When a liquid fermentation is complete, the liquid is heated in a still.

Stills have evolved into a variety of shapes and adaptations over the centuries.  All stills have three components:

• Boiler. 
• Column.
• Condenser. 

The liquid vaporizes and rises through the column as the temperature progressively increases from room temperature to about 190 degrees (F). When it reaches the condenser, it comes into contact with a cold surface and condenses back into a liquid form.  It then exits the still as a number of different chemical compounds, including;

• Acetone.
• Methanol.
• Ethanol.
• Isopropyl.

Flavouring & Filtration

If the desired outcome is flavoured vodka, it will be added botanicals throughout the distillation process or introduced into the fermentation o processes. Lavender, rose, and citrus peels are some of the common botanicals used to flavour vodka.

Once it’s been distilled, it goes through a filtration process using charcoal filters.   This eliminates any contaminants that may have remained after distillation. 

How To Ensure Premium Quality Vodka

The larger the size of the still, the purer the vodka. This is due to the increased contact between the alcohol and the heat in a larger still. Which, as a result, yields a product of greater quality.

The stills used in the distillation process significantly impact the quality of the vodka. They must be able to generate a clean, high-quality product with as few contaminants as possible. This requires that the stills be in excellent working order with a state-of-the-art production line to ensure a premium and consistent finish between batches.

Premium Quality Vodka With Midlands Distillery, South Africa

This is why The Midlands Distillery continually sources the latest in state-of-the-art equipment. Constantly evolving our copper distillery equipment and production line for premium quality output at every stage of production. We are equipped to manufacture premium local and international vodka brands, both in-house and in partnership with our contract distilling brands. Our vodka is triple distilled for a smoother finish.

Visit our online distribution platform to sample our award-winning premium African vodkas.

• Black Diamond Vodka
• Vusa Vodka
  

Interested in launching a contract distillery partnership of your own? Get in touch with the Midlands Distillery, South Africa – today.

Established in 2016, The Midlands Distillery has since become one of South Africa’s fastest-growing spirit producers, creating a variety of award-winning, premium quality artisanal spirits for both domestic and international distribution. 

Visit our Brands Page To learn more about our 

• Locally produced, Premium Quality and affordable London Dry Gin variant – Newbury Gin.
• Award-winning internationally recognised Artisinal Gin brand – Bayab.
• Or get in touch to find out more about our contract distilling and export services.

5 Of The Most Popular Gin Distillery Styles

London Dry Gin: London Dry Gin has English origins. However, the term London-dry does not refer to gin distilled in England. Juniper, citrus, angelica root, and coriander are the most common botanicals crafted into a London Dry Gin, with juniper dominating the flavour profile.

It has become a mark of quality.  In order to be called London Dry Gin, the base spirit must be entirely neutral and have a concentration of 96 %.   All botanicals must be added through distillation and must be selected from natural plant sources. In a Gin Distillery, London dry gins are generally bottled at a higher proof.

Plymouth: Made in the South of England and bottled at a lesser proof, Plymouth Gin gin is softer and less juniper-forward than London Dry. However, the distillate contains 57 % alcohol by volume (ABV) or “Navy strength”, which is much greater than the alcohol percentage of most other gins. While other gin types can be produced in a craft distillery or contract distillery anywhere in the world, Plymouth Gin Distillery in England is the only distillery authorised to create this type of gin.

Old Tom Gin: When gin is aged in cask or barrels, it takes on an older, maltier flavour profile and a characteristic citrusy sweetness. Old Tom Gin is an aged gin popular in England throughout the 18th century. Making a comeback as part of the “Craft Distillery and Cocktail” movement. When compared to London Dry, Old Tom is slightly sweeter but drier than the dutch Genever.

Genever: Genever (or jenever) is a Dutch forerunner of modern gin dating back to the sixteenth century. Genever has a savoury, earthy, malty taste that is characteristically fuller than other gins. Genever is distilled from malt wine spirits rather than neutral grain spirits in Holland, Belgium, and portions of France and Germany.

International style: New gin variations develop almost every day throughout the world, from Spain to Japan, Brazil to the United States and right here on our doorstep, in the form of locally inspired spirits in South Africa. Free from the traditional botanical trappings of the London Dry style, many contemporary gin manufacturers craft their artisanal spirits as direct representations of their region, integrating local herbs and botanicals.

Gin distillery is an ancient art, a mixture of science, art and gastronomy that dates back centuries. Today the traditions and recipes are honoured by master distillers worldwide, with new innovations paving the way for gin to continue evolving. 

Contract distilling in South Africa has made it possible for uniquely African blended spirits to be distributed internationally. Contract distillery has also allowed internationally acclaimed spirit brands to be distributed and sold locally.

Established in 2016, The Midlands Distillery has since become one of South Africa’s fastest-growing spirit producers, creating a variety of award-winning, premium quality artisanal spirits for both domestic and international distribution. 

Visit our Brands Page To learn more about our 

• Locally produced, Premium Quality and affordable London Dry Gin variant – Newbury Gin.
• Award-winning internationally recognised Artisinal Gin brand – Bayab.
• Or get in touch to find out more about our contract distilling and export services.

Voted #1 Vodka

Established in 2016, The Midlands Distillery has since become one of South Africa’s fastest-growing spirit producers, creating a variety of award-winning, premium quality artisanal spirits for both domestic and international distribution. 

Visit our Brands Page To learn more about our 

• Locally produced, Premium Quality and affordable London Dry Gin variant – Newbury Gin.
• Award-winning internationally recognised Artisinal Gin brand – Bayab.
• Or get in touch to find out more about our contract distilling and export services.

VUSA takes Gold

Established in 2016, The Midlands Distillery has since become one of South Africa’s fastest-growing spirit producers, creating a variety of award-winning, premium quality artisanal spirits for both domestic and international distribution. 

Visit our Brands Page To learn more about our 

• Locally produced, Premium Quality and affordable London Dry Gin variant – Newbury Gin.
• Award-winning internationally recognised Artisinal Gin brand – Bayab.
• Or get in touch to find out more about our contract distilling and export services.

BAYAB Gin has walked away with a prestigious gold medal

Established in 2016, The Midlands Distillery has since become one of South Africa’s fastest-growing spirit producers, creating a variety of award-winning, premium quality artisanal spirits for both domestic and international distribution. 

Visit our Brands Page To learn more about our 

• Locally produced, Premium Quality and affordable London Dry Gin variant – Newbury Gin.
• Award-winning internationally recognised Artisinal Gin brand – Bayab.
• Or get in touch to find out more about our contract distilling and export services.

Master Of Malt

Established in 2016, The Midlands Distillery has since become one of South Africa’s fastest-growing spirit producers, creating a variety of award-winning, premium quality artisanal spirits for both domestic and international distribution. 

Visit our Brands Page To learn more about our 

• Locally produced, Premium Quality and affordable London Dry Gin variant – Newbury Gin.
• Award-winning internationally recognised Artisinal Gin brand – Bayab.
• Or get in touch to find out more about our contract distilling and export services.

5 Of The Most Popular Gin Distillery Styles

Midlands Gin gets bronze

Established in 2016, The Midlands Distillery has since become one of South Africa’s fastest-growing spirit producers, creating a variety of award-winning, premium quality artisanal spirits for both domestic and international distribution. 

Visit our Brands Page To learn more about our 

• Locally produced, Premium Quality and affordable London Dry Gin variant – Newbury Gin.
• Award-winning internationally recognised Artisinal Gin brand – Bayab.
• Or get in touch to find out more about our contract distilling and export services.