Our Distillery
Our Distillery is constructed using the old fashioned hay bale and lime render technique.
Variations Distillery under construction - Ravenswood Western Australia.
Building the Old Fashioned Way!
Building our hay bale and lime render distillery was an incredibly rewarding experience, blending eco-friendliness with practical construction. We started with a solid foundation, opting for concrete to ensure stability. Once the foundation was ready, we began stacking dense, well-compressed hay bales to form the walls. Depending on the insulation needs, we placed the bales either on edge or flat, securing them with wooden stakes and rebar. After trimming the bales for a smooth surface, we mixed up a base coat of lime render—a blend of lime, sand, and water—and worked it into the bales to create a solid bond. Layer by layer, we applied the lime render, patiently waiting for each coat to cure before adding the next. This process resulted in walls that are not only sturdy and moisture-resistant but also breathable. The final lime render finish gave our distillery a natural, beautiful look, completing the sustainable and energy-efficient building we had envisioned.
The Distilling Process
The gin distilling process begins with the creation of a neutral spirit, usually distilled from grains like barley, corn, or rye. This base spirit is then redistilled with botanicals, the most essential of which is juniper berries, giving gin its distinctive flavor. Other botanicals, such as coriander, angelica root, citrus peels, and various herbs and spices, are added to the still in a process known as botanical infusion. These botanicals can be steeped in the base spirit or placed in a basket within the still, allowing their vapors to infuse during distillation. The mixture is heated, and as the alcohol evaporates, it carries the essence of the botanicals with it. The vapor is then condensed back into a liquid form, creating a high-proof gin concentrate. This concentrate is typically diluted with water to the desired strength before bottling. The precise combination of botanicals and the method of infusion give each gin its unique character and flavor profile, making the art of gin distilling both a science and a craft.
