Re-distilling cheap gin

[StillStillington]

I have a friend who has 3 cases of cheap gin (36 bottles). I think it cost him like $3 a bottle. He doesn't want it, so his loss is my gain. I'm thinking I am going to re-distill it, make a tastier product. Any thoughts? Suggestions? I figure I will macerate it and redistill to make it smoother and more flavorful.

[Mares]

Maybe first do standard distillation to purify it (remove industrial taste), then use it as a basis for maceration, followed by another distillation (spirit run) to have drinkable gin (after cutting it down).

What ingredients to use for maceration, well, it is up to you, sky is the limit

[StillStillington]

good call. I was just thinking I may make 2 different batches. maybe cut them together to find the perfect balance.

[tchib]

While juniper flavor can survive a lot of distillation it will get pretty mixed up and diluted with the more you play around.
I would suggest bumping the juniper up with some more, preferably fresh berries if you can. And adding the skin of a citrus of your choice. Just to bring it back to life a bit.
If you are careful with your cuts you can get rid of that cheap booze acetone-ness from the cheap gin.
Good luck!

[Bushman]

I like Mares suggestion then when Macerating use one of the gin recipes on the forum. Another suggestion save a swig from the original to do a comparison taste test when yours is done. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[NZChris]

If the problem is it's too headsy, you don't have to do a full distillation to get rid of the ethyl acetate out of it. Run the still until you get a jar without any nail varnish, then shut down and let it cool. Add any good jars back, then play with the botanicals.

Taste it and decide if it's missing any of the botanicals you like. Maybe run it with half your usual botanical bill, but with the normal amount of the botanicals it's short of.

Do you have spare neutral? You might need some to dilute the flavor or tame the louche after doing this.