Most gin problems start before the first botanical is even chosen.
This session is about building a recipe direction that aligns with your style, your equipment, and your audience.

You’ll learn how to:

• Think about gin recipe development as a system (not trial-and-error)

• Decide what role you want your gin to play: mixer, cocktail gin, sipping gin, or signature flavor-forward expression

• Avoid the common trap of “too many botanicals” and create intentional structure

• Build a concept that can scale from test batches to production

Outcome: You’ll have a clear “recipe direction” and decision criteria before you begin botanical selection.

Juniper is mandatory—but the magic is what supports it.
This is where you learn how to choose botanicals that work together, not just botanicals that sound good.

You’ll learn how to:

• Select juniper and supporting botanicals based on a target flavor profile

• Understand botanical roles (base, lift, citrus, floral, spice, resin, earth, sweetness)

• Avoid muddy, perfumey, or unbalanced botanical blends

• Create a botanical “architecture” that holds up in cocktails and on the nose

Outcome: You’ll build a botanical strategy that gives you a clean, intentional flavor profile—not a guessing game.

Your equipment choices shape your gin as much as your botanicals do.
This session breaks down how different production methods affect extraction, texture, and aroma.

You’ll learn how to:

• Choose between maceration vs. vapor infusion (gin basket) based on your target style

• Understand how pot vs. column stills influence flavor intensity and cleanliness

• Control extraction so you don’t over-pull bitter, woody, or harsh notes

• Make process decisions that are repeatable and scalable

Outcome: You’ll know which distillation method best matches your flavor goals—and how to run it with control.

This is where good gin becomes great gin.
You’ll learn how to evaluate, adjust, and blend with intention—so your final product hits the profile you want.

You’ll learn how to:

• Build simple sensory charts that help you diagnose what’s missing (or overdone)

• Balance citrus, spice, floral, and resin notes without losing juniper structure

• Use dilution and blending techniques to refine flavor and mouthfeel

• Make corrections during development instead of “hoping it works out later”

Outcome: You’ll gain the confidence to adjust and finish a gin that tastes intentional and polished.

The final session is about polish, readiness, and avoiding costly errors.
You’ll learn what to do after distillation and how to pressure-test your gin the way real customers will experience it.

You’ll learn how to:

• Use resting protocols to stabilize and improve your gin

• Evaluate your gin in classic cocktails (Negroni, Aviation, Corpse Reviver #2, and more)

• Avoid the most common mistakes Todd sees distillers make (and how to prevent them)

• Create a simple readiness checklist before you commit to production

Outcome: You’ll leave with finishing and evaluation steps that help you release a gin you’re proud to put your name on.