KOTHE UK: Bringing German Distilling Excellence to Britain

When Hunter Harris decided to become the UK representative for KOTHE Destillationstechnik, it wasn't a difficult decision. We'd used their stills. We knew what they were capable of. And we believed the UK craft distilling market deserved access to German engineering at its finest.

Who Are KOTHE?

KOTHE Destillationstechnik is a family-owned manufacturer based in Eislingen, Germany. They've been building copper pot stills and distillation systems for over 30 years, supplying distilleries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and beyond.

Their equipment covers everything from small 30-litre teaching stills to multi-thousand-litre commercial systems. What distinguishes KOTHE is build quality — heavy-gauge copper, precisely engineered column sections, and a design philosophy that prioritises spirit quality above all else.

The KOTHE Range

KOTHE produce several still configurations:

• Pot stills — Traditional copper pot stills for whisky, brandy, and new-make spirits. Available in a range of capacities.
• Hybrid stills — Combine pot still character with column flexibility. Ideal for producers who want to make both pot-distilled spirits and lighter column-still products.
• Column stills — Multi-plate columns for high-proof neutral spirits or gin production.
• Alembic stills — Traditional design for brandy and fruit spirits, popular with Calvados and eau-de-vie producers.

All KOTHE stills are built to order. Every vessel is custom-specified for the client's product and process.

Why KOTHE in the UK?

Before Hunter Harris, if a UK distillery wanted a KOTHE still, they were navigating an import process without local support. Installation, commissioning, spare parts, ongoing service — all at arm's length from Germany.

We changed that. As the UK representative, we handle:

• Pre-purchase specification — matching the right still configuration to your product and volumes
• Import and logistics — getting your still from Eislingen to your site without drama
• Installation and commissioning — our engineers install and commission every KOTHE still we supply
• Ongoing support — spare parts from UK stock, local service engineers

Is KOTHE Right for Your Distillery?

KOTHE stills sit at the premium end of the market. They're not the cheapest option. But for a distillery that's serious about spirit quality and wants equipment that will last 30+ years, they represent excellent long-term value.

We work with distilleries at every stage — startups specifying their first still, established producers adding capacity, and existing operations upgrading ageing equipment.

See the KOTHE range or get in touch to discuss your project.