Hill Billy Stills Review

[DrCrook]

Hi All,

I am considering taking a plunge into the hobby and was wondering what people thought about Hill Billy Stills. I am considering the 8 gallon one.
I would heat the kettle via a burner powered by a propane tank.

What I'm looking for is the ability to fine tune the taste of my product and percentage between 80 proof and 120 proof without having to dilute heavily at the end (ie a reflux that yields 180 proof in one go is not what I want). I want something easy to maintain and lasts for long time. The products I am wishing to create are: Smooth Whiskeys of different varieties, Brandy, Vodka, Gin, and Tequila. The primary thing I want to ensure is that the product is smooth and not harsh. As I am new to the process I do not know if this is a result of recipe, distillation process or aging process. I would like to ensure that all parts contribute to a smooth tasting distillate.

Thank you very much for any information on your experiences with Hill Billy Stills, other stills you may recommend or any other information that may be valuable to help me reach my goal of creating high quality craft distillates.

~DrCrook

tH