Understanding Distilling Laws
Disclaimer:
Nothing should be construed here as encouragement to break the law or
to perform any illegal act. The purchasers of our products assume all
responsibility and liability and risk of use for the activities and
purposes for which they choose to use our products.
The
legality of distilling varies greatly between countries. Distilling
for many purposes (water purification, essential oil extraction, etc.)
is typically legal and unregulated. However the distilling of alcohol
is frequently regulated. Here in the United States, by federal law, the
distilling of alcohol requires a license and the payment of
substantially high taxes ($13.50 per proof gallon) on the volume of
production. Any study of history will reveal that it is the desire to
collect this tax revenue that drives the regulation of distilling.
It
is this understanding of the tax revenue motivation of the government
that allows a person to assess their risk of undertaking the
distillation of alcohol for hobby purposes. In today's world of meth
labs, drug dealers, and terrorists the TTB (U.S. agency for the
enforcement of Alcohol and Tobacco Trade legislation) has much larger
priorities than to pursue enforcement against an individual for making a
few gallons of distilled spirits for personal consumption. In fact it
has been many years since there has been a conviction in the U.S. for
small volume personal distilling. However it should be noted (remember
that tax revenue motivation) that the TTB aggressively pursues those who
make and sell illegal spirits.
A
few states have legalized, including here in Missouri, the small volume
distilling of alcohol for personal consumption. However this is State
Law only and Federal laws still apply.. But at least in the States
where it is legal one need not worry about being prosecuted for
violation of State Law. And since the Federal TTB has only
administrative powers (not police powers) they must gain the cooperation
of State and/or local law enforcement to exercise their power. That is
difficult to obtain in areas where hobby distilling is permitted by
law.
The TTB does have the authority to require manufacturers
like us to report to whom we sell and ship a still, still boiler, or
condenser to and has required this from us in the past (the many generic
parts and hardware items we sell have never been a part of this
reporting requirement). However we are no longer required to report.
In a letter dated 6/10/15 from the TTB we have been informed that they
no longer require any sales information reporting from us. Be aware
that some other manufacturers may still be required to report and all
manufacturers are required to keep sales records for a period of three
years. Be also aware that it is not illegal for you to own a still and
you are not required to register it if you are using it for purposes
other than the distillation of alcohol spirits. Water distillation,
floral essence distilling, or even artistic display are all valid uses
for owning a still without registering it. If you are ever contacted by
the TTB it is for reasons like this you can justify having an
unregistered still in your possession. If you purchase a still from us
in the past (when reporting was required from us) you may eventually receive a
letter from the TTB informing you of the law, or at least the parts they
want you to be aware of, and to let you know that they know you have
the still.
It
should also be known that the U.S. government does issue lower cost
permits for the personal production of ethanol fuel. This however is
targeted at farmers and a permit will not be issued for distilling
ethanol in your home nor does this include any beverage alcohol. The
Hobby Distiller's Association is currently engaged in a lobbying effort
to legalize hobby distilling for personal consumption. We invite you to
visit their site (www.hobbydistillersassociation.org) and join the cause. Together we can regain a liberty that was taken from us in the past.
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