StillSmart

Re: Gin

2015-07-17T15:59:45+00:00

Most of the citrus comes over in the first distillate. You can just collect that and set aside if you want a less CITRUS! gin.

Statistics: Posted by chill — Fri Jul 17, 2015 3:59 pm

Re: Gin

2015-07-18T01:47:39+00:00

I honestly thought I didn't like gin. Then I made my own. Apparently, I do like gin.

Statistics: Posted by wormwood — Fri Jul 17, 2015 1:57 pm

Re: Gin

2015-07-17T11:14:19+00:00

I read in several places that Orris Root is used to fix the flavour so that it will last. Of course if you are knocking the bottle off within the week that's not your problem.

I took the thirsty mans option and boiled the botanicals ( minus most of the peel) after 24 hours mascerating.

Cuts exactly as per Odins instructions worked out just fine for me. I could smell the tails right where he said they'd be. Like others have said here the citrus was pronounced. ( pronounced Cit-rus) That's not to my liking so next time I'll give the botanicals the two week soak.

Left it to rest for 5 weeks and you could smell and taste the flavours mellowing as the weeks passed.

I have never happily sipped neat gin before so just that makes it a winner.

Statistics: Posted by Mr Four Square — Fri Jul 17, 2015 11:14 am

Re: Gin

2015-07-15T14:59:27+00:00

Sorry, I am too thirsty to allow it to sit that long!

Statistics: Posted by chill — Wed Jul 15, 2015 2:59 pm

Re: Gin

2015-07-15T12:24:20+00:00

Same here

Statistics: Posted by makum101 — Wed Jul 15, 2015 12:24 pm

Re: Gin

2015-07-15T06:09:30+00:00

I was thinking 3 maybe 6 months.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Wed Jul 15, 2015 6:09 am

Re: Gin

2015-07-14T21:19:02+00:00

Define last. I rarely have a bottle for more than three weeks. The flavours last that long.

Statistics: Posted by chill — Tue Jul 14, 2015 9:19 pm

Re: Gin

2015-07-14T20:59:41+00:00

Do your flavours last Chill?

@Mashy He's quite handy for advice. When I first started he had a sample of my spirit run analysed for me and told me it was cleaner than many shop brand spirits!

Statistics: Posted by makum101 — Tue Jul 14, 2015 8:59 pm

Re: Gin

2015-07-14T17:54:24+00:00

I use some or all of orris root, angelica, and GoP.

Statistics: Posted by chill — Tue Jul 14, 2015 5:54 pm

Re: Gin

2015-07-14T17:07:13+00:00

Thanks. Muchly - I though it was me - I have gins changing flavour (fading).

What even more exciting is I did one with GoP ...so I will have to go compare.

PS what a shitty job that must be "Gin inspector"

PPS GOP is v good in beer.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Tue Jul 14, 2015 5:07 pm

Re: Gin

2015-07-14T15:44:16+00:00

Ive noticed that my gin flavour dissipates if the spirit is stored for a week or so. its still there but much fainter.

I got talking to a customer of mine who just happens to be a distillery inspector (he's ok though) and he said that I dont have a 'fixer' ingredient in my botanicals.

He said a bit of cassia bark would do, Orris root would be better as its not as pungent as the cinnamon flavour in cassia bark, but the best ingredient to add would be a few 'seeds of paradise'. He said these would add a little to the flavour but is mainly used in commercial gin to 'fix' the flavour in the spirit and I could use this instead of the black peppercorn. Any one tried this ?

I've ordered 50g from ebay for a cost of £4.50. If I only need a few seeds it should last a while.

Statistics: Posted by makum101 — Tue Jul 14, 2015 3:44 pm

Re: Gin

2015-06-23T01:20:02+00:00

You don't need to make cuts when doing the gin run. The first little bit might have too much of the citrus oils in it (personally, I like it), and sometime after it drops below 70% on the output, I find that it gets too floral an earthy. But I also use orris root, angelica, myrrh gum, and other things so you may not get that flavour.

Statistics: Posted by chill — Tue Jun 23, 2015 1:20 am

Re: Gin

2015-06-22T21:58:20+00:00

I do a strip run, water down to 30% then follow AidanMac's method for the second run and water down to 30% again.

Then for the gin run I put 4 litres (@30%) in my smart still with all the ingredients not crushed or Macerated - Just thrown in - and fired it up. Collected as per AidanMac's method again and watered down to 40% Yield = exactly 3 bottles.

Probably amateurish compared to the experts on here but is turned out very good.

I did the above for both recipes. Both different but v nice.

Statistics: Posted by makum101 — Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:58 pm

Re: Gin

2015-06-22T19:55:02+00:00

How many litres of spirit @30% do you use? Do you crush or grind the botanicals? Do you macerate them in the spirit for distilling? If so how long? All of these are variables.

Chuck

Statistics: Posted by chill — Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:55 pm

Re: Gin

2015-06-22T19:23:47+00:00

Done a second run and after a bit of internet searching decided to experiment...
I think Ive got what I would accept as a London Dry Gin taste using this...

Twice distilled filtered spirit @ 30%
Slice off the end of a lemon (the actual end of the lemon cut at the thickness of a slice)
5g Juniper berries
1tsp Coriander seeds
1/4 tsp fennel seeds
1 pepper corn
2 green cardamom pods

Hoyed it all in me air still and fired it up.

Comes out like a poor mans Bombay Sapphire. Nice and bright with sharp & crisp undertones.

3 bottles of very nice gin to compliment the other three with a different but equally nice flavour and all at around 2p for the lot!

There will be no stopping me now!

Statistics: Posted by makum101 — Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:23 pm