As a distiller, I know firsthand that patience is a virtue. Crafting delicious spirits and liqueurs is an art that requires time, care, and attention to detail. I'll be honest, I'm not very good at waiting. In today's fast-paced world, we're all used to instant gratification. We want things done quickly and efficiently but, when it comes to crafting spirits and liqueurs, trying to speed up the process can lead to a less flavourful end product.

Take my Liquore di Fico, for example. This Italian liqueur is made by boiling fig leaves in water, and then blending the resulting liquid with alcohol, sugar and water. Although it's ready for bottling right away, it's not ready for drinking for at least several weeks, and it becomes even better over time. Rushing the process will lead to a less flavourful liqueur, which is something I won't allow.

My last batch of Liquore di Fico sat patiently in a tank for several weeks before being ready to bottle. I'd already blended it with alcohol, water and sugar to achieve the correct alcohol content and sugar levels, however an extended rest allowed the flavours to marry together and any remaining fig leaf particles to settle out.

Taking time to craft spirits and liqueurs is a fulfilling and rewarding experience. It requires a level of mindfulness and focus that's hard to come by in our busy lives, but when I'm in the distillery surrounded by the fragrant aromas of botanicals and spices, I feel truly present and connected to the craft.

So the next time you enjoy a delicious spirit or liqueur, remember that it's not just the ingredients that make it special - it's the patience and care that went into crafting it. As for me, I'll be hard at work here, waiting patiently. Cheers!