How to Use Glycerine to Make Smoother, Better Spirits
Date Posted:27 August 2025
Glycerine is used to smooth and mellow spirits and add some modest body , read more to understand how to use Glycerine in Distilling
Why Add Glycerine to Your Spirits?
Glycerine is often used in home brewing to ‘smooth’ spirits. Here we look at what glycerine is and why it’s a popular ingredient in home spirit distillation.
What is glycerine?
Glycerine is an organic clear, odourless liquid that has a slightly sweet taste. It’s naturally present in most animal and vegetable fats and is commonly used in the food and beverage industry.
Why is glycerine used in distilling spirits?
Smooths and mellows
- Glycerine is used to smooth and mellow spirits and add some modest body. If you think your distillate is a little sharp or has a bit too much of that ‘alcohol burn,’ adding a few drops of glycerine can reduce the harshness, add mellowness and improve mouthfeel
Reduces ageing time
- Glycerine is also used by homebrewers to round out the flavour and reduce the ageing time of the spirit. Let’s face it, who’s got 5 to 10 years to age whiskey in oak barrels before we taste the fruits of our labour?
Pairs well with oak chips and essences
- Oak chips are often used to add flavour to whiskey or bourbon and glycerine combines really with the oak chips and any essences used
Adds a touch of sweetness
- Glycerine can also add a hint of sweetness to the spirit but it’s important not to add too much. Typically, 5 mls per litre gives a good result. Remember, you can always add more. If you add too much glycerine, you’ll notice it in the finished product and if the spirit is high proof it can turn soapy.
We recommend you try adding glycerine to your next brew and see what you think. It certainly takes the ‘edge’ off and rounds out the flavour. Here’s a super bourbon recipe you can try:
Tennessee Bourbon Whiskey Recipe … makes a total of 6lt
1 x Classic Tennessee Bourbon
1 x Top Shelf Southern Whiskey
Still Spirits Glycerine
200g AHB Tennessee Bourbon Chip
METHOD To make 3 litres
- Mix 1 sachet of Classic Tennessee Bourbon and half a bottle of Southern Whiskey with 3 litres of filtered alcohol at 40%.
- Add 15ml of glycerine to smooth the bourbon and add a touch of sweetness.
- Add 100g of AHB Tennessee Bourbon Chips and soak in glass for 2 to 8 weeks plus. The longer the soak, the deeper the colour and the more intense the oak flavours and aroma. Sample as it matures to discover the flavour intensity that suits.
Note: There are enough ingredients supplied in this recipe to make 2 X 3lt batches. Also, you can vary the quantity and volume to suit your taste. Once matured, bottle your bourbon & remove the chips.
Always oak in glass. The longer you leave it the better it becomes .
FAQ: Glycerine in Home Distilling
1. What is glycerine and is it safe to use in spirits?
Glycerine (or glycerol) is a clear, odourless, slightly sweet liquid derived from animal or vegetable fats. It’s commonly used in the food and beverage industry and is considered safe in small quantities for consumption.
2. Why do home distillers add glycerine to spirits?
Glycerine is primarily used to smooth and mellow the taste of spirits, reduce harsh alcohol burn, and enhance mouthfeel. It’s especially useful for balancing young or unaged spirits.
3. Does glycerine reduce the time needed to age spirits?
Yes, one benefit of glycerine is that it can help mimic the affect of ageing, rounding out the flavours and giving spirits a more mature profile—especially when used with oak chips or essences.
4. How much glycerine should I add to my spirits?
A general guideline is to add 5 ml per litre of finished spirit. You can adjust to taste, but be cautious too much glycerine can make the spirit soapy , especially at high proofs.
5.Does glycerine affect the colour of the spirit?
No, glycerine itself is colourless and won’t change the appearance. However, if used in a recipe with oak chips, the spirit may darken over time due to the wood infusion.