For gin enthusiasts and aspiring distillers, understanding the production process can deepen appreciation for a truly craft spirit. At Bathtub Gin Co., an Australian micro artisan gin distillery, every gin is crafted using a highly specialised small-batch method.
The answer to how Bathtub Gin Co.’s fractional distillation works lies in a meticulous, flavour-by-flavour approach. Rather than distilling all botanicals together, each ingredient is distilled separately to capture its unique characteristics and achieve greater control over the final flavour profile.
This guide breaks down the science and craftsmanship behind the process, offering a clear look at how Bathtub Gin Co. creates gins with exceptional balance, clarity, and character.
The Big Picture: Reimagining Gin in Australia's $547m Market
The Australian gin market is a dynamic and growing space. According to industry reports, Australia's gin market was valued at $547 million in 2023, with projections showing continued growth. Despite this, data from Just-drinks indicates that around 80% of gin consumed in Australia is imported, leaving a significant opportunity for local, high-quality producers to make their mark.
Bathtub Gin Co. steps into this landscape not by competing with mass-produced spirits, but by redefining what a local gin can be. Their commitment to fractional distillation is a direct response to a market increasingly driven by consumers seeking authenticity and local character.
By isolating each flavour component, Bathtub Gin Co. builds gins with a complexity and precision that stands in clear contrast to large-scale, homogenised production methods, catering to a growing demand for premium, artisanal spirits.
Step-by-Step: Inside the Fractional Distillation Process
At the heart of Bathtub Gin Co.'s production is a process that treats gin-making less like a single event and more like composing a masterpiece from individual notes. Fractional distillation deconstructs the traditional method to give the distiller unparalleled control over the final product.
Step 1: Sourcing Organic Australian Botanicals
The journey for every Bathtub Gin Co. spirit begins with the ingredients. The company states that it sources botanicals and fruits exclusively from organic Australian growers.
This commitment ensures not only a high-quality starting point but also a distinctly local flavour profile. By selecting the finest native and traditional botanicals, the team establishes a vibrant palette of potential flavours.
This initial step is crucial, as the purity of the final gin is directly linked to the quality of the raw materials. Each ingredient, from juniper berries to native fruits, is chosen for its ability to express a clear, potent character when distilled.
Step 2: Botanical Preparation
Once sourced, the botanicals are carefully prepared for distillation. Unlike traditional methods where a mix of botanicals is steeped together, the fractional process requires individual attention.
Each ingredient is handled according to its unique properties to maximise flavour extraction. Some botanicals may be macerated in a neutral spirit to soften their cell walls and release essential oils, while others might be prepared for vapour infusion.
This careful preparation is foundational to the fractional method, ensuring that when each botanical enters the still, it is perfectly conditioned to yield its purest essence without interference from other ingredients.
Step 3: Individual Distillation Runs
This is the defining stage of the Bathtub Gin Co. process. Instead of a single distillation run with a complex botanical bill, each flavour component is distilled separately.
This is the core of what makes it fractional distillation. A run might be dedicated solely to juniper, another to coriander, and another to a specific Australian citrus.
This method requires more time, energy, and precision than conventional distilling. However, it allows the distiller to manage the unique distillation parameters, such as temperature and pressure, that are optimal for each specific botanical, ensuring a perfect extraction of its signature flavour compounds every time.
Step 4: Flavour Isolation and Collection
As each separate distillation run is completed, the resulting spirit, or distillate, is collected. Each of these distillates is a pure, concentrated expression of a single botanical.
This creates a library of individual flavours. The distiller now has, in essence, a collection of liquid ingredients: a vibrant citrus note, a piney juniper essence, a spicy floral element, and so on.
This library of isolated flavours provides the ultimate creative control for the next stage. It moves the process from a one-shot infusion to a detailed assembly of perfectly captured aromatic components.
Step 5: Masterful Blending
With a full library of individual botanical distillates, the art of blending begins. The distiller at Bathtub Gin Co. acts like a perfumer or a chef, carefully measuring and combining the different fractions to construct the final gin.
This is where the brand's ability to blend traditional botanicals with contemporary Australian flavours truly comes to life. The process allows for incredible precision, ensuring a consistent product from batch to batch while also enabling the creation of new and complex recipes.
The final flavour profile is built note by note, resulting in a harmonious and balanced spirit where each botanical can be distinctly appreciated.
Step 6: Proofing and Bottling
After the master blend is achieved, the gin is brought to its target alcohol by volume (ABV) through the addition of pure water. This process, known as proofing, is done carefully to ensure the delicate balance of flavours is not disturbed.
The spirit is then allowed to rest, allowing the various distillates to marry and integrate fully, creating a smooth and cohesive final product.
Finally, the finished gin is bottled, labelled, and prepared for gin lovers to enjoy, with each bottle representing a culmination of this precise, multi-stage distillation journey.
Bespoke Contract Distilling with Bathtub Gin Co.
The precision afforded by fractional distillation makes Bathtub Gin Co. an ideal partner for creating custom spirits. The company offers bespoke contract distilling services, leveraging its meticulous process to craft unique gins for clients.
According to the brand, these services require a minimum order of 100 bottles, making it accessible for corporate gifts, special events, or brands looking to launch their own spirit. By building a gin from individual flavour components, Bathtub Gin Co. can work with partners to select specific profiles and create a truly personalised product.
This method ensures that the final bespoke gin meets the same artisanal standards as their own flagship products, like the popular Angry Duck Gin, providing a level of customisation that traditional distilling methods cannot easily replicate.
Putting It All Together: The Science of Flavour Isolation
Understanding how Bathtub Gin Co.'s fractional distillation works reveals a deep commitment to quality, control, and creativity. By deconstructing the gin-making process into individual components, the distillery gains the ability to build flavour profiles with unparalleled precision. For the consumer, this translates into a cleaner, more expressive, and perfectly balanced gin. The most important factor is the pure expression of each botanical in the final blend.
Discover the full Bathtub Gin Co. range to experience the remarkable results of this meticulous process.
