Inside Our Distilling Revolution: How We’re Redefining Craft Spirits

At Distinct Distillers, we're obsessed with quality, innovation, and doing things differently. When it came to choosing the heart of our distillation process—our stills—we went on a mission to find a more advanced and sustainable way to produce high-quality rum and whisky.

We now operate with over 12,000 litres of distilling capacity across our three custom stills—Maximus, Optimus, and Dominus—and here's what makes them extraordinary.

Why They’re a Game-Changer

These aren't your average copper stills. Our precision-engineered hybrid stills give us total control over every stage of the process. They provide not only consistent excellence but also remarkable energy efficiency—two things traditional stills can't match.

The Science of Flavour: The Maillard Reaction

Thanks to their square boilers and jet propulsion agitators, our stills encourage the Maillard reaction during distillation—a complex interaction of amino acids and sugars that develops deep, roasted, caramelised flavours. It's the same process that makes grilled steak or toasted bread so aromatic, now harnessed to create complex spirits.

Sustainability and Efficiency

Using 75–90% less energy than traditional stills, our equipment features insulated design and direct heating. That reduced energy load allows us to maintain a smaller carbon footprint and gives us the freedom to be more selective with our cuts. With less pressure to stretch our yield, we bottle only the cleanest and most expressive hearts.

Versatility Meets Craftsmanship

As hybrid stills, ours can switch between pot distillation for rich, flavourful rums and column distillation for clean, elegant spirits. That flexibility helped us perfect our No. 57 Overproof Rum—an award-winning example of balance and boldness.

Advanced Automation and Consistency

Our stills feature automated pressure controls that adjust cut points for heads, hearts, and tails in real time, eliminating the guesswork from distilling and ensuring consistency across every batch.

Clean, Safe, and Simple

Automated cleaning cycles and the use of residual alcohol for sanitation keep our stills spotless and efficient between runs—no harsh chemicals required.

The Distinct Distillers Difference

Maximus, Optimus, and Dominus aren’t just machines—they’re a reflection of our values: quality, sustainability, and innovation. They’re how we produce distinctive spirits at scale while preserving small-batch integrity. Curious about who designed this process? Meet the makers behind the stills and explore our unique approach.

We believe that great rum and whisky come from passion, precision, and pushing boundaries—and our stills are at the core of that belief. Follow us on Instagram @distinctdistillers to see what we’re up to behind the scenes.

A full view of our Shropshire distillery — where modern technology meets traditional craft.