The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word DISTILLER
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
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More clues leading to the result DISTILLER
- Girl calmer — one’s producing a whisky?
- Policemen shoot as retort, perhaps
- One makes spirits calm in the middle of rough ride
- Comedienne Phyllis beset first person with retorts
- Diane with actor Ben, one producing drink
- One making spirits fade, keeping quiet? Right
- Who has lots of spirit, yet in dire trouble
- To succeed in business he must keep still
- Chap turned to bar for drinks producer
- Teacher’s perhaps to express contempt for one working
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "One makes spirits" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one makes spirits = distiller.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DISTILLER mean?
DISTILLER noun- A person who distills, especially alcoholic spirits or hard liquor by a process of distillation; a person who owns, works in or operates a distillery.
- A device or apparatus that distills, a condenser; a still.
- A company whose business is distilling, especially one that manufactures alcoholic spirits or liquor.