How gin is made: a distiller's guide from still to bottle

June 10, 2026

How Gin Is Made: A Distiller's Guide from Still to Bottle

Ever wondered how gin is made?

Whether you're enjoying a classic G&T, exploring craft spirits for the first time, or visiting a distillery to learn more about the process, gin remains one of the world's most fascinating and flavourful spirits. While it may seem simple when poured into a glass, the journey from raw ingredients to a finished bottle involves skill, science, creativity, and attention to detail.

At Wicstun Distillery, we produce our spirits by hand in small batches in the historic Yorkshire market town of Market Weighton. As a family-run craft distillery, we're passionate about creating exceptional gin inspired by local heritage, flavour, and craftsmanship.

In this guide, our Head Distiller, Jago, takes you behind the scenes to explain exactly how gin is made, from selecting botanicals to bottling the finished spirit.

What Is Gin?

Before diving into the gin distillation process, it's important to understand what makes gin unique.

Unlike whisky, rum, or brandy, gin gets most of its flavour from botanicals. By law, juniper berries must be the predominant flavour in any spirit labelled as gin. Without juniper, it simply isn't gin.

Beyond juniper, distillers can use a wide range of ingredients to create their own unique flavour profile. This freedom is one of the reasons why gin has become such a popular spirit among craft distillers and consumers alike.

Step 1: Starting with a Neutral Spirit

The foundation of every gin is a neutral spirit.

This spirit is usually produced from grains such as wheat, barley, or maize. Through fermentation and distillation, these grains are transformed into a high-strength, flavour-neutral alcohol.

Think of it as a blank canvas. The neutral spirit provides the structure, while the botanicals provide the character.

Using a clean and consistent base spirit ensures the flavours introduced later in the process can shine without interference.

Step 2: What Are Gin Botanicals?

One of the most common questions we hear is: "What are gin botanicals?"

Botanicals are the natural ingredients used to flavour gin during distillation. They can include berries, roots, spices, seeds, flowers, herbs, and citrus peels.

Juniper is always the star of the show, but many other botanicals help create complexity and balance.

Common gin botanicals include:

Juniper berries
Coriander seeds
Angelica root
Cardamom
Orris root
Lemon peel
Orange peel
Cinnamon
Liquorice root
Lavender

Each botanical contributes something different. Citrus peels add brightness and freshness, spices contribute warmth, roots provide earthy depth, and flowers bring delicate aromas.

At Wicstun Distillery, creating a botanical recipe is one of the most exciting parts of craft gin making. Every ingredient is carefully selected and balanced to create a distinctive flavour profile that reflects our Yorkshire roots and commitment to quality.

Step 3: Maceration – Building Flavour

Once the botanicals have been selected, the next stage is maceration.

Maceration involves soaking the botanicals in the neutral spirit for a set period of time. During this process, the alcohol extracts essential oils, aromas, and flavour compounds from each ingredient.

Different botanicals release their flavours at different rates. Citrus peels tend to release bright oils relatively quickly, while roots and spices often require longer soaking periods.

This stage lays the foundation for the final spirit and allows distillers to develop greater depth and complexity before distillation even begins.

Step 4: The Gin Distillation Process

Now we arrive at the heart of gin production.

The gin distillation process is where science and craftsmanship come together.

The macerated spirit is placed into a still and heated carefully. Alcohol evaporates at a lower temperature than water, causing alcoholic vapour to rise through the still.

As the vapour travels through the system, it carries the flavours and aromas extracted from the botanicals.

The vapour then enters a condenser, where it cools and returns to liquid form.

What emerges is a beautifully aromatic spirit that captures the essence of the botanicals.

Every decision during distillation matters. Temperature control, timing, and careful monitoring all influence the final flavour profile. Even small adjustments can dramatically affect the character of the finished gin.

This attention to detail is what separates exceptional craft gin making from large-scale industrial production.

Step 5: Making the Cuts

One of the most important skills a distiller develops is knowing when to make the cuts during distillation.

Not every part of the distillate ends up in the final bottle.

The spirit is generally divided into three sections:

Heads

The first liquid to come through the still contains volatile compounds that can create harsh flavours and undesirable aromas.

Hearts

The middle section, known as the hearts, contains the cleanest and most desirable flavours. This is the portion that forms the core of the finished gin.

Tails

The final section contains heavier oils and compounds that can negatively impact flavour and texture.

At Wicstun Distillery, careful monitoring ensures only the finest hearts are collected. This helps create the smooth, balanced character that customers expect from premium craft spirits.

Step 6: Dilution and Resting

Freshly distilled gin is usually much stronger than the final product sold to consumers.

To achieve the desired bottling strength, purified water is carefully added to reduce the alcohol content.

Most premium gins are bottled between 40% and 45% ABV, although some may be higher.

The quality of the water used during dilution is extremely important. It can influence texture, mouthfeel, and the overall drinking experience.

Many distillers also allow the gin to rest after dilution. This resting period allows the various flavour compounds to integrate and harmonise, creating a smoother and more balanced final product.

Step 7: Bottling the Finished Gin

The final stage is bottling.

For many craft distilleries, including Wicstun Distillery, this remains a hands-on process.

Each bottle is filled, labelled, sealed, and checked before leaving the distillery.

Bottling may be the final step, but it's also an important quality control stage. Every bottle represents the culmination of careful recipe development, botanical selection, distillation, and craftsmanship.

Craft Spirits vs Supermarket Gin

Another question we're often asked is about the difference between craft spirits vs supermarket gin.

While there are excellent examples in both categories, there are some key differences.

Large commercial producers typically focus on consistency and volume. Their products are designed to be produced efficiently at scale.

Craft distilleries, on the other hand, often prioritise:

Small batch production
Greater attention to detail
Unique flavour profiles
Handcrafted processes
Innovation and experimentation
Local ingredients and inspiration

At Wicstun Distillery, every recipe is developed and refined in-house. Rather than producing millions of bottles, we focus on creating distinctive spirits with character, quality, and authenticity.

That's one of the reasons why craft spirits continue to grow in popularity among consumers looking for something truly unique.

Experience Gin Making for Yourself

Reading about how gin is made is fascinating, but seeing the process in person is even better.

Our distillery tours provide a behind-the-scenes look at the entire gin distillation process. Visitors can learn about botanicals, discover how flavour profiles are developed, and gain a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind every bottle.

Whether you're a gin enthusiast or simply curious about the world of craft spirits, a tour offers an unforgettable insight into the art and science of distilling.

Discover the World of Craft Gin

Making gin is a process that combines tradition, innovation, and precision.

From selecting botanicals and creating unique flavour profiles to carefully controlling the gin distillation process and hand-bottling each batch, every step contributes to the final spirit.

At Wicstun Distillery, we're proud to continue Yorkshire's tradition of craftsmanship while creating modern spirits that celebrate flavour, quality, and creativity.

The next time you pour a glass of gin, you'll know exactly what went into creating it—from still to bottle.

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