Logo

Weighing the Merits of Slow Dilution

When it comes to diluting a spirit before packaging, deliberate slowness has a strong following among distillers. Yet there’s a lack of hard evidence to back up the approach—or to dismiss it.

Subscriber
Sampling from the barrels at California’s Germain-Robin, which uses the traditional French method of slow dilution before bottling. Photo: Courtesy Germain-Robin.
Sampling from the barrels at California’s Germain-Robin, which uses the traditional French method of slow dilution before bottling. Photo: Courtesy Germain-Robin.

I can’t remember where or when I first heard about it—must have been 10 or 12 years ago—but, at some point, someone introduced me to the idea of slowly diluting spirits before packaging.

Years later, here I am: an adherent to a production philosophy that, in my humble opinion, very few people properly understand—including its most vocal supporters.

This article requires a subscription

Subscribe today to continue reading and unlock unlimited access to our premium brewing content.

What you get with your subscription

3,000+ exclusive articles
700+ tested recipes
Digital magazine issues
100+ brewing video courses
Expert brewing guides
Cancel anytime
Already a subscriber?

Plans start at $4.99/month • 30-day guarantee

Trusted by thousands of craft beer enthusiasts and brewers worldwide