Home Brew Spirits
Home Brew Spirit Flavourings: Commercial Comparisons
Looking for a home brew spirit flavouring similar to a familiar commercial drink? This guide brings together current options from Still Spirits, Essencia, Edwards Essences and Pure Distilling. It is a practical starting point rather than a promise of an exact clone: your base spirit, dilution, sweetness, oak, ageing time and serving style will all affect the finished result.
Where a supplier specifically describes a commercial comparison, we identify it below. Other entries are broader style matches based on the flavour profile and product range. Product availability can change, so use the linked product page for the latest stock information and always follow the individual mixing instructions.
Brandy and gin comparisons
| Commercial reference | Flavourings to consider | Comparison note |
|---|---|---|
| Hennessy or Rémy Martin cognac style | Edwards Brandy, Classic Brandy, Top Shelf Napoleon Brandy, Gold Medal Premium D’Origine Cognac | Edwards specifically names Hennessy and Rémy Martin as comparison styles. The Still Spirits options cover classic brandy and fuller Napoleon-style profiles. Pure Distilling names Hennessy VS as the flavour/style reference for Gold Medal Premium D’Origine; its 40ml bottle is used with 1.125 litres of spirit. |
| Calvados or apple brandy | Top Shelf Apple Brandy | Apple-forward brandy style. |
| Bombay Sapphire-style gin | Classic Blue Jewel Gin, Essencia Blue Sapphire, Edwards Sapphire Blue Gin | Essencia specifically names Bombay Sapphire; the other two are blue-sapphire-style alternatives. |
| Gordon’s or Beefeater-style dry gin | Essencia London Gin, Classic Gin, Top Shelf Dry Gin, Gold Medal English Dry Gin | Essencia specifically names Gordon’s London Gin. The Still Spirits choices offer traditional London dry-style alternatives. Pure Distilling specifically names Beefeater for Gold Medal English Dry Gin, with juniper, cardamom, lemon and coriander. |
| Gordon’s Pink Gin style | Essencia Pink Gin | Essencia specifically names Gordon’s Pink Gin as the commercial flavour direction. |
| Bombay Sunset Special Edition Gin style | Gold Medal Spiced Gin | Pure Distilling names Bombay Sunset Special Edition Gin as the flavour/style reference: a juniper-led profile with eight supporting spices and warm, exotic notes. The 40ml bottle is added to 1.125 litres of spirit. |
Rum comparisons
| Commercial reference | Flavourings to consider | Comparison note |
|---|---|---|
| Appleton Estate-style Jamaican rum | Top Shelf Jamaican Gold Rum, Essencia Jamaica Gold Rum | Essencia specifically describes an Appleton Estate Signature-style result; both options suit a Jamaican gold-rum direction. |
| Bacardi-style white rum | Pure Distilling White Rum, Classic White Rum, Top Shelf White Rum | Pure Distilling specifically names Bacardi; the other two are clean white-rum alternatives for mixing. |
| Bundaberg-style rum | Pure Distilling Aussie Rum, Classic Queensland Gold Rum, Top Shelf Aussie Gold Rum, Spirits Unlimited Traditional Queensland Rum, Gold Medal Queensland 4670 Rum | Pure Distilling specifically describes a Bundaberg-style comparison; the others are Australian or Queensland-style alternatives. Pure Distilling also names Bundaberg for Spirits Unlimited Traditional Queensland Rum; its 50ml bottle makes up to 5 litres. Follow each product’s own mixing instructions. Pure Distilling also names Bundaberg Rum for Gold Medal Queensland 4670, a distinctive reddish Australian-rum style; its 40ml bottle is added to 1.125 litres of spirit. |
| Bundaberg Red-style rum | Top Shelf Aussie Red Rum | A softer Australian red-rum style. |
| Bundaberg Campfire-style rum | Pure Distilling Campfire Rum | A useful newer comparison not covered in the previous guide. |
| Captain Morgan Spiced Gold-style rum | Classic Spiced Gold Rum, Essencia Spiced Gold Rum | Essencia specifically names Captain Morgan as its comparison style. |
| Captain Morgan Jamaica Black-style rum | Essencia Dark Jamaican Rum, Pure Distilling Jamaican Dark Rum | Essencia specifically names Captain Morgan Jamaica Black; Pure Distilling also names Captain Morgan for its Jamaican dark-rum direction. |
| Kraken-style dark spiced rum | Pure Distilling Spiced Dark Rum, Essencia Deep Spiced Black Rum | Both suppliers specifically describe a Kraken-style flavour direction. |
| Sailor Jerry-style spiced rum | Pure Distilling Spiced Gold Rum | Pure Distilling specifically names Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum as the comparison. |
| Lamb’s Navy-style rum | Classic Navy Dark Rum, Essencia Navy Rum, Edwards Rum | Edwards specifically names Lamb’s Navy Rum; the other two are navy-rum style alternatives. |
| Malibu-style coconut rum | Essencia Coconut Rum, Edwards Rum Royale Liqueur, Top Shelf Coconut Rum, Icon Coconut Rum | Essencia and Edwards specifically name Malibu. The Icon product is a top-up liqueur kit rather than a standard spirit essence. |
| Mount Gay-style gold rum | Gold Medal Santiago Gold Rum | Pure Distilling names Mount Gay as the flavour/style reference: a pale Demerara-style rum with caramel and honey tones and light barrel character. The 40ml bottle is used with 1.125 litres of spirit. |
Tequila and vodka comparisons
| Commercial reference | Flavourings to consider | Comparison note |
|---|---|---|
| José Cuervo-style tequila | Edwards Tequila, Top Shelf Tequila, Top Shelf Silver Tequila, Gold Medal Añejo Tequila | Edwards specifically names José Cuervo; choose the silver option for a lighter, cleaner tequila style. Pure Distilling specifically names Jose Cuervo Gold for Gold Medal Añejo Tequila, a gold añejo-style flavouring with pronounced blue agave and subtle oak character. |
| Sierra Tequila Gold-style tequila | Spirits Unlimited Traditional Agave Tequila | Pure Distilling specifically recommends Sierra Tequila Gold as the commercial flavour direction: a gold tequila style with strong agave character and a smooth, warming finish. |
| Smirnoff or 42 Below-style vodka | Pure Distilling Moscow Vodka, Top Shelf Vodka | Pure Distilling specifically names Smirnoff; both are clean neutral-vodka style choices. |
| Grey Goose-style vodka | Essencia Canard Vodka | The supplier flyer specifically names Grey Goose as the commercial flavour direction. |
| Absolut Citron-style citrus vodka | Top Shelf Citrus Vodka | Citrus vodka-style flavouring. |
| Beluga-style vodka | Gold Medal Orel Russian Vodka | Pure Distilling names Beluga as the flavour/style reference: a clean winter-wheat-style profile with light sweetness and dry grain character. The 40ml bottle is used with 1.125 litres of spirit. Contains barley and gluten. |
American whiskey, bourbon, Scotch and Irish whiskey comparisons
| Commercial reference | Flavourings to consider | Comparison note |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey style | Pure Distilling Tennessee Bourbon, Essencia Tennessee Bourbon, Classic Tennessee Bourbon, Top Shelf Southern Whiskey, Gold Medal Straight Bourbon Whisky | Pure Distilling and Essencia specifically name Jack Daniel’s. The Still Spirits choices are Tennessee or southern whiskey-style alternatives. Pure Distilling also names Jack Daniels as the flavour/style reference for Gold Medal Straight Bourbon Whisky (Barrel 651); its 40ml bottle makes 1.125 litres. |
| Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey style | Essencia Honey Bourbon | Essencia specifically names Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey. |
| Jim Beam-style bourbon | Essencia Kentucky Bourbon, Classic American Bourbon, Top Shelf Kentucky Bourbon, Gold Medal Sour Mash Bourbon | Essencia specifically names Jim Beam; the Still Spirits products are American and Kentucky bourbon-style alternatives. Pure Distilling also names Jim Beam as the flavour/style reference for Gold Medal Sour Mash Bourbon (Barrel No. 650), with a soft corn-bourbon profile and vanilla finish. Add its 40ml bottle to 1.125 litres of approximately 40% ABV spirit or vodka, then rest for seven days. |
| Bulleit-style bourbon | Pure Distilling Bullseye Bourbon | Pure Distilling specifically names Bulleit as the comparison. |
| Knob Creek-style bourbon | Pure Distilling Iron Creek Bourbon | Pure Distilling specifically names Knob Creek as the comparison. |
| Maker’s Mark-style bourbon | Pure Distilling Makers Bourbon, Classic Crafters Cut Bourbon, Spirits Unlimited Premium Bourbon | Pure Distilling specifically names Maker’s Mark; Crafters Cut offers a smooth crafter-style bourbon alternative. Pure Distilling also names Maker’s Mark for Spirits Unlimited Premium Bourbon; its 50ml bottle makes up to 5 litres. |
| Wild Turkey-style bourbon | Pure Distilling Turkey Bourbon | Pure Distilling specifically names Wild Turkey as the comparison. |
| Southern Comfort-style whiskey liqueur | Pure Distilling Southern Style Whiskey, Top Shelf Southern Haze | Pure Distilling specifically names Southern Comfort; Southern Haze is the comparable Still Spirits option. |
| Canadian Club-style whisky | Pure Distilling Canadian Rye Whiskey, Top Shelf Rye Whiskey | Pure Distilling specifically names Canadian Club; Top Shelf Rye Whiskey offers a lighter Canadian-style direction. |
| Bushmills-style Irish whiskey | Essencia Fermanagh Whiskey | The Essencia flyer specifically names Bushmills as the commercial flavour direction. |
| Irish whiskey style | Classic Irish Whiskey, Top Shelf Irish Whiskey | Two smooth Irish-style options. |
| Connemara-style Irish whiskey | Gold Medal Connemara Irish Whiskey | Pure Distilling names Connemara as the flavour/style reference: an Irish-style profile with restrained peat and gentle smoke. The 40ml bottle makes 1.125 litres. |
| Dewar’s-style blended whisky | Gold Medal Blended Malt Whisky | Pure Distilling names Dewar’s as the flavour/style reference: a Highland-style malt-and-grain profile with gentle honeyed sweetness. The 40ml bottle makes 1.125 litres. |
| Johnnie Walker Red-style blended whisky | Essencia Walkers Whisky | The Essencia flyer specifically names Johnnie Walker Red as the commercial flavour direction. |
| Glenfiddich-style single malt | Pure Distilling Glen Whiskey | Pure Distilling specifically names Glenfiddich Single Malt as the comparison. |
| Scotch or single malt style | Classic Single Malt Whiskey, Top Shelf Scotch Whiskey, Top Shelf Single Malt Scotch | Choose according to whether you prefer a general Scotch, single malt or richer malt direction. |
Ouzo comparisons
| Commercial reference | Flavourings to consider | Comparison note |
|---|---|---|
| Plomari-style ouzo | Gold Medal Anise Ouzo | Pure Distilling names Plomari as the flavour/style reference for this aniseed, herb and spice profile, which becomes milky when diluted. Add the 40ml bottle to 1.125 litres of approximately 40% ABV spirit or vodka, then rest for seven days. |
Liqueur comparisons
| Commercial reference | Flavourings to consider | Comparison note |
|---|---|---|
| Kahlúa-style coffee liqueur | Edwards Khaloola, Top Shelf Cafelua, Icon Cafelua | Edwards specifically names Kahlúa. Icon Cafelua is a top-up liqueur kit. |
| Tia Maria-style coffee liqueur | Edwards Mia Taria, Top Shelf Coffee Maria | Edwards specifically names Tia Maria. |
| Chambord-style black raspberry liqueur | Edwards Chamberry, Icon Black Raspberry Royale | Edwards specifically names Chambord. Icon Black Raspberry Royale is a top-up liqueur kit. |
| Cointreau-style orange liqueur | Edwards Kwontro Orange, Essencia Triple Sec, Top Shelf Triple Sec | Orange and triple-sec style alternatives; Edwards uses a comparison-style product name. |
| Midori-style melon liqueur | Essencia Melonori, Top Shelf Melon Liqueur | Melon liqueur-style options across two ranges. |
| Baileys-style Irish cream | Essencia Irish Cream, Top Shelf Irish Cream | Essencia specifically names Baileys. Cream liqueurs also require the appropriate cream base or ingredients shown in the product instructions. |
| Glayva or Drambuie-style Scottish liqueur | Essencia Scottish Liqueur | The Essencia flyer names Glayva and prints “Drambui”; Drambuie is the correct commercial brand spelling. |
| Disaronno-style amaretto | Top Shelf Amaretto | Classic almond-forward amaretto style. |
| Frangelico-style hazelnut liqueur | Top Shelf Hazelnut | Sweet hazelnut liqueur style. |
| Galliano Sambuca-style white sambuca | Edwards White Sambuca, Top Shelf White Sambuca | Edwards specifically names Galliano Sambuca. |
| Jägermeister-style herbal liqueur | Top Shelf Herbal Liqueur | Dark herbal liqueur style. |
| Fireball-style cinnamon whisky liqueur | Top Shelf Hot Cinnamon Schnapps | Hot cinnamon-style flavouring. |
| Pimm’s No. 1-style summer cup | Top Shelf Summer Cup No.1 | Fruit, citrus and botanical summer-cup style. |
How to get closer to the flavour you want
Start with a clean neutral base and make the product exactly as directed. Let the finished spirit rest before judging it; many flavours soften and integrate with time. If the result needs more oak, sweetness or body, adjust in small measured steps. Oak chips and extracts are additions, not substitutes for the main essence, so they are best selected after you have chosen the underlying whisky, bourbon or rum style.
Commercial brand names are used only as familiar flavour references. Home Brew Shop NZ and the flavouring manufacturers are not affiliated with those brands, and the finished drink will not be identical to a commercially produced spirit.
If you are unsure which option best suits the flavour you enjoy, contact us with the commercial drink or general style you have in mind. We can help narrow down the most suitable current product.