Single Malt Whiskey Recipe

Learn How To Make Homemade Single Malt Whiskey Recipe

Last Updated on March 30, 2023

This recipe will guide you step-by-step on how to create your own single malt whiskey. All the necessary supplies can be found in our shop. If you enjoy distilling, and you enjoy a more fruit-based spirit, we also offer other guides, such as our raspberry moonshine recipe or pineapple moonshine recipe.

At Mile Hi Distilling, we are passionate about spirits and are always eager to assist those who share our passion. We provide helpful guides, recipes, and top-quality moonshine stills and supplies. Crafting a fantastic batch of single malt whiskey requires attention to detail, so plan thoroughly and execute carefully to achieve the best possible outcome. Let’s begin!

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Single Malt Whiskey Ingredients
Single Malt Whiskey Recipe
Additional Tips
Conclusion

Single Malt Whiskey Ingredients:

Ingredients:

  • 16.5 pounds of liquid malt extract
  • 1 packet of whiskey yeast
  • 1 pound of toasted oak chips

Equipment:

Single Malt Whiskey Recipe

  1. Rinse and sanitize the 8-gallon fermenter to ensure cleanliness.
  2. In your mash kettle, bring 3.5 gallons of filtered or bottled water to a boil. While stirring with a mash paddle or spoon, slowly add all of the liquid malt extract. Make sure to stir well to prevent any malt extract from sticking to the bottom of the kettle and burning.
  3. Add 2 more gallons of cold water to the kettle to cool the mash to 75°F.
  4. Draw off about a gallon of the mash and put it into the sanitized fermenter. With a whisk, stir in the packet of whiskey yeast. Wait for approximately 30 minutes or until the yeast starts to bubble.
  5. Pour the rest of the cooled mash into the sanitized fermenter. Close the fermenter and place an airlock on top to allow for the escape of gases produced during fermentation.
  6. Ferment the mash for 4-5 days. Check the fermentation with a hydrometer. Once the gravity has stopped dropping and remains steady for 12 hours, the fermentation process is complete.
  7. Using a siphon or spigot and hose, transfer the fermented mash into the still. Carefully minimize the amount of yeast cake transferred to the still to prevent burning and the development of off-flavors.
  8. Gently heat the wash to 175°F and adjust the water flow to your reflux condenser/dephlegmator until your distillate is running off at 80 proof or below. If using a pot still, pack the column with copper mesh and run slowly to produce a higher percentage spirit.
  9. Make your foreshots and heads cuts, and reserve as much heart as possible. Once you have made your tails cut, you can stop distilling or reserve the tails to increase yields for your next run.
  10. Age your whiskey in glass jars with oak chips, spirals, or an oak barrel to add flavor and character. Allow the whiskey to age for a minimum of 2 years, periodically sampling to ensure proper maturation.

Check out our great video walkthrough that we shot at Downslope Distilling detailing How Homemade Single Malt Whiskey is made.  Check it out below!

Single Malt Whiskey Additional Tips

Distilling Single Malt Whiskey Additional Tips:

Bottling:

  • Before bottling, make sure to check the alcohol content of your whiskey using a hydrometer. It should be around 40-50% ABV.
  • Sanitize your bottles and caps by washing them with hot water and then using a no-rinse sanitizer solution.
  • Use a funnel to fill the bottles, leaving some headspace to allow for expansion during aging.
  • Label your bottles with the date of bottling and any relevant information about the whiskey.

Aging:

  • To achieve the desired flavor profile, consider using a combination of oak chips, spirals, or barrels. Experiment with different types of wood to find the flavor that you prefer.
  • Keep your aging containers in a cool, dark place with a stable temperature of around 60-65°F.
  • Sample your whiskey periodically to track its progress and determine when it has reached its desired flavor and aroma.

Clean-up:

  • After distilling, clean your equipment thoroughly using hot water and a non-abrasive cleaner to remove any residue or build-up.
  • Sanitize your equipment before storing it to prevent any bacteria or mold from growing.
  • Consider taking apart your still and cleaning each component individually to ensure that it is completely clean.
  • Store your equipment in a cool, dry place to prevent rust or other damage.

Remember that distilling alcohol is a regulated activity and may require permits or licenses in your area. Be sure to check local laws and regulations before beginning any distilling activity.

Conclusion

Well done! You have successfully crafted a batch of delicious homemade Single Malt Whiskey. We trust that this recipe was helpful for you and that you created a high-quality product. Now, it’s time for cleanup. It is important to wash everything thoroughly to maintain the quality of your future batches. Disassemble your equipment and store it in a cool, dry place.

Thank you for choosing Mile Hi Distilling as your go-to source for all your moonshine still and distilling product needs. Don’t forget to visit our shop for any supplies or equipment you may require for your future recipes or distillations. We hope you had a fantastic experience learning how to make single malt whiskey.

If you enjoyed this recipe for Single Malt Whiskey, take a look at our other recipes, including our delicious apple brandy recipe.

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