Introduction

We decided to make the practical training, that follows-up on the online iStill Distilling University, a one-on-one experience. One-on-one as in "one distillery at a time". At iStill HQ. Where you make your recipe on a set-up similar to the one you purchased. Supervised by an iStill Master Distiller. The goal? To help increase your operational competence.

Machine Learning for iStill Customers

With a wink to our machines being pretty advanced, we call it "Machine Learning". But it isn't about the still learning new tricks. No, instead the new customer learns how to make his exact recipe on the new iStill equipment they purchased, exactly configured the way you ordered it.

Create operational competence!

Group-training is a great way to teach all of the participants the same thing. But if we want to help new customers gain more operational experience faster, we strongly feel that training should be perfectly tailored to the spirit they want to make, given the machinery they want to use. A more specialized educational experience generates more operational expertise, specific to your distillery, to your spirits, to the flavor profile you want to highlight, and to the distiller you want to be.

Not open-ended

Since gaining operational competence is based on passion, the willingness to learn, and on the wish to own all the processes related to running a craft distillery, iStill's Machine Learning Program is not open-ended. Instead, we ask for your commitment, resulting in you coming to the party well-prepared. If that doesn't make sense, please read:

• https://istillblog.com/2020/08/30/more-sunday-musings/
• https://istillblog.com/2020/09/13/more-sunday-musings-2/
• https://istillblog.com/2020/09/20/more-sunday-musings-3/

Two Types of Machine Learning Programs

We foresee two types of Machine Learning Programs. The first one centers around the craft distiller making their own alcohol via mashing and fermenting and distilling. The second one centers on the craft distiller redistilling GNS with herbs.

"Distilled Machine Learning" is for those that want to make brandy, rum, or whiskey. "Redistilled Machine learning" trains our customers in making gin, akvavit, or liqueur. The first variety takes eight days, the second one only three. Both take place at iStill HQ in the Netherlands. The goal is that you become competent in distilling your recipe on your iStill configuration.

What's included?

On the "Distilled Machine Learning", the following is included:

1. Assemble your iStill;
2. Update your iStill;
3. Test your iStill;
4. Cleaning run;
5. Mashing with your iStill Distillery;
6. Fermenting with your iStill Distillery;
7. Distilling with your iStill Distillery;
8. Cleaning the iStill after a run;
9. Certified Master Distilled Diploma.

You will assemble your iStill (or a similar model), update it to the newest software, and test the unit on the first day. Mashing will take place on the second day. Fermentation takes place on days three through six. You will distill your brandy, rum, or whiskey on the seventh day. You will clean the iStill on the last day. The entire process will be monitored and supervised by an experienced iStill master distiller.

On the "Redistilled Machine Learning Program", the following is included:

1. Assemble your iStill;
2. Update your iStill;
3. Test your iStill;
4. Cleaning run;
5. Distilling with your iStill;
6. Cleaning the iStill after a run;
7. Certified Master Distilled Diploma.

You will assemble your iStill (or a similar model), update it to the newest software, and test the unit on the first day. Distilling will take place on the second day. You will clean the iStill on the third and last day. The entire process will be monitored and supervised by an experienced iStill master distiller.

For whom is it?

For new or existing iStill customers or distillers, that want to gain operational competence in making one certain recipe. One distillery will be trained at a time, to do justice to your unique product, SOP, wishes, and equipment make-up. The maximum number of participants from your distillery is three. You can decide to send one, two, or three students, as long as they all certified for our online Distilling University (so we all speak the same language).

Criteria

Your Machine Learning Program will be planned after the following criteria are met:

• The Machine Learning Program is paid for;
• You graduated from the online iStill Distilling University;
• We received your recipe;
• And the yeasts, herbs, substrates, or grains that go with it;
• We received your SOP.

How to order and what it costs?

New customers can add the Distilled or Redistilled Machine Learning Programs as options to their iStill purchase orders. Existing customers can send an email to Esther@iStillmail.com. The eight day Distilled Machine Learning Program costs EUR 10.000,-. The three day Redistilled Machine Learning Program is EUR 5.000,-. For that price, you can send one, two, or three participants.

Machine learning is about the distiller ...