whiskey kit legality

Question

While distilling alcohol is legal in the United States without a license, whiskey kits where you age a small amount are legal. At what point would aging larger amounts of it for personal use and as gifts to friends be considered illegal.

Answer 1

Well my friend, I am sad to be the bearer of bad news, but NO amount of alcohol distilled at home is legal according to the Federal Government.

Why? Well it forces those making it to be in close proximity to alcohol vapor and heat (such vapor + heat= VERY BAD). Therefore, while private beer and wine creation for your own personal use has not become an issue, the Federal and state governments deem liquor aging/creation both unsafe to the public and also illegal.

If you like, I can explain why the IRS/Commerce side of things do not allow the creation of liquor... in short, if it is given to them by you, they do not have to buy it... no legal store purchase=no liquor tax for the government.

Hope that helps!