Legal Definitions - still

A "still" refers to the specialized equipment or apparatus used to distill liquids, primarily for the purpose of producing alcoholic beverages such as liquor or spirits.

Here are some examples illustrating the term:

• Example 1: Local authorities raided a remote cabin after receiving tips about unusual activity. Inside, they discovered a large, homemade assembly of copper pipes, heating elements, and collection barrels, actively producing a strong-smelling liquid.

  Explanation: The entire setup of pipes, heaters, and barrels designed to separate alcohol from fermented mash is legally identified as a "still." Its operation without proper permits constitutes illegal alcohol production.

• Example 2: A property owner, cleaning out an abandoned barn on their newly acquired land, found a disassembled collection of stainless steel tanks, condensers, and intricate tubing hidden under a tarp.

  Explanation: Even when not actively in use or fully assembled, this collection of components, clearly designed for the process of distillation, would be recognized as a "still," indicating its past or intended use for making distilled spirits.

• Example 3: During a routine traffic stop, police found a small, portable device in the back of a truck, consisting of a pressure cooker connected to a coiled copper tube leading into a jar. The driver admitted he was experimenting with making his own whiskey.

  Explanation: This compact, makeshift apparatus, despite its size and crude construction, functions as a "still" because it is designed and used to distill alcohol, making its operation without a license illegal.