Spirit Yield Estimator
Results update on calculate — adjust inputs for different scenarios
Anton Paar EasyDens Digital Density Meter: Measures wash ABV and SG accurately at any temperature — no test tube, no corrections. The precision tool for serious home distillers.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
View on Amazon →Yield Quick Reference — Common Scenarios
Estimated hearts yield at 40% ABV (750 mL bottles), assuming 88% still efficiency and a pot still spirit run with standard cuts.
| Wash Volume | Wash ABV | Total Distillate | Hearts ~65% | Bottles @ 40% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 gal (18.9 L) | 8% | 1.8 L | 1.1 L | 1.5 × 750 mL |
| 5 gal (18.9 L) | 10% | 2.2 L | 1.4 L | 2 × 750 mL |
| 5 gal (18.9 L) | 12% | 2.7 L | 1.7 L | 2.5 × 750 mL |
| 10 gal (37.8 L) | 10% | 4.5 L | 2.9 L | 4 × 750 mL |
| 25 L | 10% | 2.9 L | 1.9 L | 2.5 × 750 mL |
| 25 L | 12% | 3.5 L | 2.3 L | 3 × 750 mL |
| 50 L | 10% | 5.9 L | 3.8 L | 5 × 750 mL |
| 100 L | 10% | 11.7 L | 7.6 L | 10 × 750 mL |
How Yield Is Calculated
The total available alcohol in a wash is simply its volume multiplied by ABV. Still efficiency represents what fraction you recover as distillate before alcohol concentration drops below a practical collection threshold.
Total distillate (L) = Available alcohol × Efficiency ÷ Target distillate ABV
Bottles = Hearts volume (L) × Hearts ABV ÷ Target bottling ABV ÷ 0.75
Cuts fractions in the bar chart are based on typical pot still percentages: foreshots ~1%, heads ~15%, hearts ~65%, tails ~19% of total distillate. These vary considerably by spirit type — brandy and rum tails are often larger; neutral spirit runs are often cut more aggressively into hearts.
Whisky Tasting Journal: Track every run — wash ABV, yield, cuts, ABV and tasting notes in one place. 100 structured entries, score /100. 6 × 9 in, 116 pages, cream paper.
More Distilling Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
From 5 US gallons (18.9 L) of wash at 10% ABV, expect approximately 1.5–2.0 L of spirit at 60–65% ABV, or 2–3 × 750 mL bottles at 40% after dilution. Actual yield depends on still efficiency, cut aggressiveness, and whether you do a stripping run first.
Still efficiency is the percentage of available alcohol in the wash that you collect as distillate. A pot still typically recovers 85–92%. Some alcohol always remains in the stillage, and some is discarded with foreshots and late tails. Use 85–88% as a realistic home distilling estimate for your first runs.
A stripping run concentrates alcohol fast without making cuts — collecting everything above ~20% ABV. The resulting low wine (typically 25–40% ABV) is then run again in a spirit run where careful cuts produce clean hearts. This two-run approach is more fuel-efficient and produces cleaner spirit than a single pot run.
Common reasons: fermentation did not fully complete (higher FG than expected), aggressive cuts reducing hearts volume, still heat losses, or an inaccurate wash ABV reading. Make sure your hydrometer is temperature-corrected and your fermentation is fully finished before measuring.
Yes — keep your tails fraction and re-run it with the next batch (feints recycling). Tails are rich in alcohol but carry off-flavours; blending them back into the next stripping charge rather than discarding them improves overall yield substantially.
Distilling Guides & Reference Articles
In-depth guides written for home distillers and craft producers — from reading a hydrometer to making clean spirit cuts.
- How to Make Spirit CutsHeads, hearts and tails explained
- How to Dilute Spirits to ProofBlending, dilution and OIML method
- Blending Spirits GuideBatch blending and consistency
- Safe Distilling PracticesFire risk, vapour safety and legal compliance
- How to Read a HydrometerSG, Brix and Plato explained
- Temperature Correction GuideCorrecting readings at temperature
- Understanding ABV and Proof%ABV, proof and Tralle scale
- Specific Gravity to ABVOG, FG and calculating alcohol content
- Sugar Wash Distilling GuideRatios, nutrients and fermentation tips
- Mash Temperature GuideStrike water, conversion and enzyme ranges
- Equipment ChecklistWhat you need before your first run
- Fermentation TroubleshootingFixes for stuck, silent and infected ferments
- Corn Mash RecipeCooking, converting and fermenting grain
- Reflux Still vs Pot StillHow each works and which to choose
- Activated Carbon FilteringWhat it removes and how to use it
- Oak Aging Spirits at HomeBarrels, staves and what the wood does