Distilled is a beautifully themed lightweight Euro game that seamlessly blends strategy with engaging mechanics like card drafting, hand management, and set collection. Perfect for cozy family nights, this game offers an immersive experience where each decision carries weight, making every turn exciting. Whether you’re an experienced strategist or just getting into the world of economic games, Distilled provides the perfect balance of depth and accessibility. With its rich theme and approachable gameplay, it’s a must-have addition to any board game collection, especially for those who value a strategic yet relaxed gaming experience.
What Makes Distilled a Unique Strategy Game?
In Distilled (Amazon Link), the key concept is to strategically shop and trade in the Market to collect a set of cards that you’ll use to create an alcohol from your available recipes. However, it’s not always guaranteed that you’ll produce the spirit you intended. After assembling your ingredients from the Market, you’ll shuffle your cards and randomly remove two, which return to your pantry. This introduces an element of “push your luck” as you draft ingredients, with the remaining cards determining which recipe you’ll fulfill.
A Beautifully Themed Experience
Distilled is a visually stunning game that captivates with its artistic charm. It immerses you in the role of a new owner of an old-world distillery, filled with the rich aromas of family recipes. The game’s components are meticulously designed to draw you in. Each player board represents one of five uniquely themed distilleries, offering immersive visuals that enhance the experience. Market cards feature hand-drawn images of ingredients and upgrades, like bottles and barrels, evoking the feel of outdoor markets in a bygone era. The score-tracking board resembles a shelf of drinking glasses, where your point token moves as you progress. Together, these elements create a convincing and enchanting atmosphere that makes you feel truly part of the game’s world.
Lightweight Yet Deep: The Perfect Euro Game
BoardGameGeek rates Distilled with a 2.96 weight rating out of 5, but you’ll likely find it even lighter once you understand the flow of a round. After just three playthroughs, my 11-year-old daughter was confidently setting up the game on her own. The gameplay becomes straightforward once you recognize that your strategy revolves around acquiring similar recipes to optimize your success.
The best strategy in Distilled involves focusing on recipes that use the same type of sugar—Plant, Wheat, or Fruit. By collecting recipes with matching sugars, you increase your chances of completing a recipe even if you encounter setbacks with others. This approach allows you to adapt and make the most of your collected ingredients.
The game phases in Distilled are straightforward. During the Market phase, players shop for items at both the Basic and Premium markets, with the Premium market changing each round. The turn order is quick as players select one item at a time until everyone passes. In the Distill phase, players simultaneously add their ingredients to their “Washback”—a tall cylindrical vessel used for fermentation. Each player then adds alcohol cards for every sugar card they have. After shuffling the Washback, players remove the top and bottom cards, returning them to the pantry. The remaining cards are used to match recipes and determine the alcohol produced. Finally, in the Sell phase, players earn “Spirit” points based on the ingredients used and the recipes completed.
Perfect for Family Bonding
A family-owned distillery evokes a sense of old-world simplicity and charm. As we played, we enjoyed helping each other make the best choices and enhance our distilleries. Players can customize their distilleries with various upgrades and aging barrels of alcohol, adding a personal touch. The fun peaks when a player sells an aged barrel and reveals the previously hidden Flavor cards—like when one of my kids ended up with a “Leathery Couch with a hint of Pine Whiskey,” which gave us all a good laugh. The game embraces these moments, adding character and enjoyment rather than penalizing players, making for a delightful and memorable experience.
Why Distilled Deserves a Spot in Your Game Collection
Distilled stands out as a must-have game for those who appreciate lightweight Euro games with rich themes and strategic depth. Its beautifully crafted components and immersive old-world theme create a captivating experience, making players feel like they’re managing a classic distillery. The game offers engaging mechanics like card drafting, hand management, and set collection, all while being accessible and easy to learn. Its combination of strategic gameplay and cozy, family-friendly fun, coupled with the charm of personalizing your distillery, makes Distilled a standout choice for any board game collection.
If you liked our presentation of Distilled Please follow any of the links to Amazon and get your copy while it’s still in print!