Inside the Still: A Look at How We Create Perfection Drop by Drop
Learn how St Duke's Distillery turns basic ingredients into exceptional small-batch spirits.
Every Great Spirit Has a Great Story
Every St Duke's Distillery bottle is a story waiting to be told. From fine craftsmanship with pure patience to the artful science of stills and freshly milled grain, there is a passionate narrative being crafted.
Creating perfection, one drop at a time, is a process that takes time and dedication. It is a blend of precision that takes care and countless hours of refining spirits. It is about capturing the essence of our spirit, our town, and our roots.
The Stills
Every St Duke's Distillery visitor hears the soft rhythm of stills at work. Each one is custom crafted, and they guarantee that we have complete control of the distillation process.
The stills are made of copper, proven to enhance the flavor by removing unwanted compounds and fine smoothing rich notes. Stills are not merely machines. Each dent and shine tell a story about the countless batches that they have distilled with care and purposeful intentions.
From Grain to Glass: The Craft Process
Before the first drop goes into the barrel, we’re working to make sure it’s perfect. Here’s how we make every bottle of St Duke’s small-batch spirits:
- Sourcing the Finest Ingredients
We begin with the best locally sourced grains, botanicals, and fresh water. Every ingredient shows the best of what our region offers through our partnerships with local farms.
- The Mash & Fermentation
Our team mills the grains and blends them into a mash. Then yeast is added to the mash and fermentation begins. Yeast decomposes the mash’s sugars, alcohol is created, and the natural character of the grains is unlocked.
- Distillation
This is the best part. Every small run of a batch is distilled with care. In the distillation process, the preparation, sequence, and execution revolve around the spirit’s taste.
- Maturation & Finishing
Our spirits that are placed in barrels for maturation age gracefully as time goes on. With each barrel, we ensure it’s warm, complex and deep until the spirit is perfect.
- Bottling & Hand Labeling
Every bottle we produce is filled, sealed, and labeled by hand, which allows for a personal connection with everyone who appreciates our work.
The People Behind the Process
Every still, mash tun, and barrel rack is looked after by people who dedicate themselves to their work. From the detailed notes of our head distiller to the team members who hand label the product, each person at St Duke’s is essential to the standard we consistently uphold.
We don’t think of ourselves as distillers alone: we are artisans, weavers of tales, and guardians of heritage.
Why Small Batch Matters
For St Duke’s, being a small-batch distillery is a point of pride, and we will continue to produce small quantities. St Duke’s gin, whiskey, and vodka will always meet the high standard we expect, for we believe ‘good enough’ is never enough.
Come See It for Yourself
Want to see how it works?
Visit St Duke’s for a distillery tour and tasting. You will see our stills operating, speak to our team, and taste our spirits.
Understanding St Duke’s unique qualities is best achieved by letting our spirits speak for themselves.
St Duke’s Distillery — crafting perfection, drop by drop.