For most home distillers Classic 6 is the best turbo yeast to start with: it has the lowest fermentation odour in the Still Spirits range, ferments 6kg of sugar and copes with a wide temperature band. Choose Classic 8 for a stronger wash from 8kg of sugar, Fast when you want to distil within a day, Heat for hot weather, and Pure when spirit quality matters most and you can keep the wash cool. Alcotec 48 is a forgiving 48 hour alternative.
Our picks at a glance
- Best all-rounder and lowest odour: Classic 6
- Best for a stronger wash: Classic 8
- Fastest: Fast Turbo Yeast
- Best in hot weather: Heat Turbo Yeast
- Cleanest spirit: Pure Turbo Yeast
- Most forgiving: Alcotec 48
Turbo yeasts compared
| Yeast | Sugar per 25L wash | Speed | Conditions | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic 6 | 6kg | Steady | Wide temperature band (about 15 to 30°C) | Lowest odour, clean all-rounder |
| Classic 8 | 8kg (or 6kg for a 2 to 3 day ferment) | Steady, or fast at 6kg | Excellent temperature tolerance | High-strength wash |
| Fast | 6kg only | Under 24 hours | Correct water start temperature is essential | Very good quality |
| Heat | As directed | Steady | Hot weather; the only one rated for stacking | Excellent quality in the heat |
| Pure | As directed | Slower | Cool air, around 18°C | Highest purity |
| Alcotec 48 | Less for about 14%, more for about 20% | 48 hours | High temperature tolerance, forgiving | Moderate or high, your choice |
What a turbo yeast does
A turbo yeast is a distiller's yeast packed with the nutrients it needs to ferment a large amount of sugar into a strong, clean wash quickly. Choosing one comes down to three questions: how much sugar you want to use, how fast you want to distil, and how warm the room will be. Whichever you pick, adding Turbo Carbon during fermentation and Turbo Clear afterwards noticeably improves the spirit.
Classic 6: the best all-rounder
Still Spirits Classic 6 has the lowest fermentation odour in the whole turbo yeast range, which matters if you ferment indoors. It ferments 6kg of sugar across a wide temperature band, about 15 to 30°C, for a clean tasting spirit. It is the yeast included in the T500 Starter Pack.
Best for: beginners, indoor fermenting and everyday batches. Browse Classic 6 packs.
Classic 8: more alcohol from more sugar
Classic 8 is the all-round turbo yeast for distillers who want more from each batch. Use 8kg of sugar for a high-strength wash, or 6kg for a much faster ferment of 2 to 3 days. It has excellent temperature tolerance and includes mineral absorbents that improve distillate quality.
Best for: getting the most spirit per wash. Browse Classic 8 packs.
Fast: distil tomorrow
Still Spirits Fast is the quickest turbo yeast available, fermenting 6kg of sugar in under 24 hours with very good distillate quality. To get that speed the water start temperature must be right and you must use only 6kg of sugar. Use Turbo Carbon and Turbo Clear with it.
Best for: when you want to start distilling sooner. Browse Fast packs.
Heat: for hot sheds and summer
Still Spirits Heat is built for hot conditions, when air temperature is too high for the other turbo yeasts, and still delivers excellent quality alcohol. It is also the only yeast in the range recommended for stacking, using more than one packet at a time for a larger wash.
Best for: Queensland summers, garages and sheds, and big washes. Browse Heat packs.
Pure: the cleanest spirit
Pure Turbo Yeast is for when spirit quality comes first. It needs a cool air temperature of around 18°C, and it is essential to use it with Turbo Carbon and Turbo Clear. Paired with a reflux still such as the T500 and filtered before flavouring, it gives a noticeably cleaner cut, which is why many T500 owners buy all three together.
Best for: vodka and gin bases, in a cool room. Browse Pure packs.
Alcotec 48: forgiving and flexible
Alcotec 48 ferments a sugar wash in 48 hours. It has a high temperature tolerance and copes with minor mistakes, and you choose a moderate (about 14%) or high (about 20%) wash by adjusting the sugar. The Alcotec range also includes 24 hour, rum and whisky strains and bulk packs.
Best for: distillers who want a tolerant yeast and control over strength.
Which turbo yeast is right for you?
| If you... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Are new to distilling or ferment indoors | Classic 6 |
| Want the most alcohol per wash | Classic 8 with 8kg of sugar |
| Want to distil within a day | Fast |
| Ferment in a hot shed or summer | Heat |
| Want the cleanest vodka base and can keep it cool | Pure |
| Want a forgiving yeast | Alcotec 48 |
Sugar, carbon and clearing
White sugar, dextrose or Turbo Sugar all work; see dextrose and turbo sugar. Our distiller's sugar wash recipe walks through a full wash, and the complete guide to turbo yeast goes deeper on each strain. Keep yeast in the fridge to extend its life.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best turbo yeast for beginners?
Classic 6. It is the lowest odour yeast in the Still Spirits range and tolerates a wide temperature range.
Classic 6 or Classic 8?
Classic 6 ferments 6kg of sugar with the lowest odour. Classic 8 takes 8kg for a stronger wash, or 6kg for a faster 2 to 3 day ferment.
Which turbo yeast is fastest?
Still Spirits Fast, which ferments 6kg of sugar in under 24 hours when the start temperature is right.
Which turbo yeast should I use in hot weather?
Heat Turbo Yeast. It is made for high air temperatures and is the only one recommended for stacking.
Do I need Turbo Carbon and Turbo Clear?
They are strongly recommended with every turbo yeast, and essential with Pure. Carbon absorbs impurities during fermentation and Clear drops the yeast out before distilling.
Stock up
See every strain, batch pack and value pack in turbo yeast and distilling consumables, or ask our team which yeast suits your setup.
