Alcohol essences (also called flavorings or extracts) are becoming increasingly popular among home distillers — both beginners and experienced hobbyists who sometimes... just don't have the time. And it’s easy to see why. It’s the simplest and fastest way to turn neutral alcohol into something that looks and smells like a mature whisky, rum, brandy, or a premium liqueur.

Why use alcohol essences?


First of all: price. Good quality essences cost just a few euros or dollars per bottle — enough to flavor 0.5 to 1 liter of alcohol. Compared to the cost of fermenting grain, distilling, aging, or even preparing fruit for brandy — the difference is massive.

Second: instant results. No need to mash grain, wash fruit, monitor fermentation, or perform fractional distillation. Just mix the essence into neutral alcohol — and you're done. Perfect for unexpected guests, gifts, or emergencies when you need a decent drink quickly.

Third: no aging required. While real distillates improve with time and aging, essences give you ready-to-drink alcohol almost immediately. Of course, it’s best to let the flavors meld for a few days or weeks, but even after a few hours, the result is quite drinkable.

What kind of essences do we offer?


In our store, we only carry authentic Strands flavorings — known for their deep, convincing aromas. Among the most popular are Whisky (oak and vanilla notes), Bourbon (a smoother, balanced profile), and Jamaican Rum, which brings up summer memories. 

For those who like fruity or sweet drinks, we recommend the Peach Vodka, Citron Vodka, or the bold and fruity Williams Pear. And if you're a fan of dessert flavors — try the Coffee Liqueur. It’s rich, creamy, and great for experimenting with cocktails or after-dinner drinks.

Each essence provides a cheap and easy way to prepare your own "spirit," and often becomes a great starting point for exploring your own taste preferences.

Try new flavor directions — without the risk


Essences are also an excellent tool for testing new flavor ideas. Not sure if you’d like peach in alcohol? Curious about smoky, peated profiles but not ready to invest in malt mashing and oak aging? Try the essence first. If you enjoy it — great, now you know what to pursue in your next distillation project. If not — no harm done, you’ve only spent a few coins and a few minutes.

Are there any downsides?


Yes — the main one being that you have no control over the final flavor. With your own distillates, you choose the ingredients, distillation method, cuts, and maturation. With an essence, the flavor is pre-made — you either like it, or you don’t. There’s no room for adjusting the balance of fruit, vanilla, wood, or smoke.

Still, for quick results, for experimentation, or for backup — alcohol essences are incredibly useful tools. Many distillers use them regularly to supplement their serious hobby work.

In summary:
Essences are:

  • inexpensive
  • fast
  • easy to use
  • and surprisingly effective

They'll never fully replace the character of a carefully crafted, homemade distillate, but they can be a great side path — or a backup plan — and for many people, even the first step into the world of home alcohol crafting.