Record keeping and related requirements for distilleries

Vat register

The vat register should:

• record all spirit movements into and out of each vat in the spirit store
• record all operations on spirit in the store
• provide a current record of all stocks held in the store, and
• be balanced periodically (at least quarterly) by a stocktake.

The vat register must include the following details:

• the identification number of the vessel
• stock survey details pre and post each operation, including the date, dip result (in centimetres), volume (in litres), strength at 20ºC, temperature and volume in LALs, and
• the operational loss or gain in LALs for each operation, calculated as the difference between the pre and post-operation LALs.

You should maintain a separate record similar to the stillhouse stock register for each storage vessel.

Losses and gains are recorded against the receiving vessel.

For bulk stock in the spirit store, the same principles apply as for a stillhouse stocktake (for example, dipping and strength testing).

Sections within Spirit store records

• Vat register
• Operations notices