Award-Winning Spirits: Our Journey in Craft Distilling

At Hunter Harris, we don't just supply distilling equipment — we've used it. Our team includes a master distiller with first-hand experience taking craft spirits from recipe to award-winning bottle. That experience is baked into everything we do: how we specify equipment, how we commission stills, and how we advise our clients.

From Recipe to Medal

Developing a craft spirit that wins awards isn't just about a great recipe. It's about consistent process control, the right equipment, and understanding how every variable — temperature, cut points, still geometry — shapes the final product.

Our master distiller has worked across gin, whisky, and new-make spirits, developing recipes that have won recognition at national competitions. That means when a client comes to us asking for help setting up a gin distillery or scaling an existing whisky operation, we're speaking from direct experience — not just a brochure.

Why Experience Matters When Choosing Equipment

The difference between a still that makes good spirit and one that makes great spirit often comes down to details that don't appear in a spec sheet. Lyne arm angle. Column height. The quality of the copper. Whether the condenser can hold a steady temperature under load.

We've worked with KOTHE stills — German-engineered copper distillation systems that sit at the top of the market — and we know what separates them from cheaper alternatives. When we recommend equipment, it's because we trust it ourselves.

Our Approach to Client Distilleries

When we work with a new distillery, we start from the product. What do you want to make? What does your process look like? What volumes are you targeting now, and in five years?

From there, we design the equipment spec around the spirit — not the other way around. We've seen too many distilleries buy the wrong still because they were sold on aesthetics or price rather than process fit.

If you're thinking about setting up or scaling a craft distillery, get in touch. We're happy to talk through your project, no obligation.