Does the quality of vodka in my gin still affect the end product?

When creating gin in a small copper alembic still, we distil store-bought vodka through our botanicals and dilute the end product to an appropriate strength.

Given that we aim to create a high-quality end product, this begs the question: does the quality of vodka used for distillation impact the quality of my gin?

The answer is "no." As long as you use vodka that's clean and safe enough to have been purchased at a legitimate store, there will be no negative impact on the flavour of your gin.

We distil by applying heat to the vodka. This raises the temperature of the vodka to the point where the alcohol vaporizes and rises up through the botanicals. Because only the alcohol is rising through the column, any impurities are left in the pot. Therefore, there's no benefit in splashing out on a bottle of Belvedere or Crystal Skull. Go your hardest on the cheap stuff!