Still Spirits Top Shelf Apple Brandy Essence

Still Spirits Top Shelf Apple Brandy Essence is a 50ml Still Spirits Top Shelf flavouring that turns 40% ABV neutral spirit or vodka into a finished spirit. One bottle makes 3 bottles of 750ml. Still Spirits describes it as "Fruity with distinctive notes of apple."

What it tastes like

A brandy with the apple clearly in front of it, in the style of the French apple brandies rather than an apple liqueur. It is dry enough to drink neat after dinner and works in a hot toddy through a Melbourne winter.

How to make it

Shake the bottle, add the full 50ml to 2.25 litres of 40% ABV neutral spirit or vodka, and mix well. That is the whole method. There is no resting time, though most people find the flavour settles after a day in the bottle.

The spirit can be bought vodka or your own neutral spirit. Most of our customers run theirs off an Air Still Pro or a Turbo 500 and carbon filter it first; our guide to making a clean neutral spirit covers the wash and the run. A clean base matters more than the flavouring: an essence cannot hide a rough spirit.

When to choose this one

Choose this over the Top Shelf Cherry Brandy when you want a dry brandy rather than a sweet fruit liqueur. The rest of the range is on the Top Shelf essences collection.

Specifications

• Range: Still Spirits Top Shelf
• Bottle size: 50ml
• Makes: 3 bottles of 750ml
• Base spirit: 40% ABV neutral spirit or vodka
• Base pack needed: none
• Allergens listed by Still Spirits: none listed

Check your local laws regarding home distilling before purchase.

Reviewed by the AHB Brewing Team, September 2026.