StillSmart

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-06T23:59:01+00:00

chill - you said:
"CY: I mix 1 tsp of very hot water with 1 tsp from a sample jar, swirl to mix, then slosh it around in my mouth and spit it out. Well, sometimes it tastes really good and I swallow it, but that is not advised as your sensitivities tend to dull as the session progresses."

Ahhh - thank you. Easydrinker was kind enough to drop aidenmac's inestimably invaluable cutting guide into my lap, so I was able to figure out where the hot water goes in your method. I am glad for the confirmation,"equus per os, as they say in Latin, though.

I did my cutting on the spirit run of the wash who shall not be named this morning and used a soda straw for a pipette to put a wee dollop of liquor in my spoon and also one of steaming 'wather.' I was amazed at how this all changed my perspective of the tipple. My instinct to slurp-slosh-squint-swoller-then grimace mightily, has gone by the wayside. I think I like the idea of using larger amounts for testing, as you advise, as there were times when I felt I wasn't able to fully characterize the "sip" due to the lack of enough content to really coat my cunning 'lingua.' (take no notice of how he 'glossus' over the more-medically accurate alternative term in favor of raunchy ribaldry. It only encourages him.)

Edit: On the advice of someone much more experienced and truly wiser, I am dumping everything associated with this wash due to the chance that it may be dangerously tainted. Which is a shame, but there you go, eh?

Again, my appreciation, Señor chill.

Statistics: Posted by Cherry Yidaki — Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:59 pm

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-06T20:52:02+00:00

A pinch won't meaningfully affect the SG. As we are not making beer, all we really need to care about is the FG so we know when it is done. I don't measure either anymore. When it clears, it is done.

Statistics: Posted by chill — Mon Jan 06, 2014 8:52 pm

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-06T20:36:20+00:00

Hi Aidanmac, Chuck,

Thanks guys. I will give that a try on this go round Chuck.

It's a drill press behind the water bath Aidanmac - LOL.

The second wash is bubbling away like mad already - so it must have started within about 10 to 14 hours after I put it up. Woo-hoo :-)

The only thing I have done differently in this wash is add a pinch of Epsom salts. Do either of you think that might have changed the starting SG - like an idiot I forgot to check it, but as the recipie was exactly the same as last time except for the epsom salts I'm assuming the SG is the same too ?

All the best,

Mike P

PS - I'll give a look-see into that lentil recipie shortly.

Statistics: Posted by mikepiet — Mon Jan 06, 2014 8:36 pm

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-06T18:11:11+00:00

Congratulations Mike!

CY: I mix 1 tsp of very hot water with 1 tsp from a sample jar, swirl to mix, then slosh it around in my mouth and spit it out. Well, sometimes it tastes really good and I swallow it, but that is not advised as your sensitivities tend to dull as the session progresses.

Chuck

Statistics: Posted by chill — Mon Jan 06, 2014 6:11 pm

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-06T12:00:26+00:00

Congratulations Mike, looks like you produced a first class result the first of many

One Question, why is there a pistol-grip on the top of your fermenter and where does that cable go?

Give the Lentil wash a go someday, it's nice and simple too and you can do generations of wash with it

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Mon Jan 06, 2014 12:00 pm

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-06T10:57:07+00:00

Evening everyone,

A final report on the results of my first ever TPW.

Did the spirit run today and the result was simply wonderful. A grand total of 3.7 liters of very drinkable and quite pleasant 40% ABV, near neutral spirits.

I did something of a no-no here, in that I saved 100 ml of 'hearts' from the stripping run, in order to compare it with the finished product after the spirit run. For anyone new to this hobby (like me), I would advise that you try this - because the difference is profound.

Because of this forum, the good folks on it, and their words of wisdom and advice, my first run was a TPW and not a Turbo run, as had been my initial intention when I bought the Air Still. Because I read and read and read here before I started, I was able to avoid what is probably an all too common path of turbo's - regrets and discovery of the TPW method.

So, with all that having been said I once again want to thank all who answered my newbie questions with patience and good advice, particularly Chuck and Aidanmac. Salute gents.

The next wash has been started and I am again, anxiously awaiting the first bubbles.... :-)

All the best,

Mike P

Statistics: Posted by mikepiet — Mon Jan 06, 2014 10:57 am

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-06T07:35:39+00:00

At some stage we've all put Foot in Mouth and given the gallery much to chuckle about but what's life without a laugh

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Mon Jan 06, 2014 7:35 am

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-06T06:28:22+00:00

Eastdrinker- you said: "Aidanmac gives a good guide to spirit cuts here;

download/file.php?id=69

Woah! Thank you for that.

Glad I could amuse while querying about booze.

Statistics: Posted by Cherry Yidaki — Mon Jan 06, 2014 6:28 am

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-06T01:25:18+00:00

Cherry Yidaki wrote:
chill, you said: "Using very hot water (not enough to burn your tongue, but hot) helps in discerning the good from the bad."

B) gargles with the hot water first to heighten one's senses

I think I may try option b... after all what I've had to drink over chrimbo..

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Mon Jan 06, 2014 1:25 am

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-06T04:25:58+00:00

Odd,I posted the same thing twice.
Deleted one to tidy up the board.
I would like to say that drink played no part in my actions.
I would be lying.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Jan 06, 2014 12:16 am

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-05T23:52:26+00:00

I'm guessing chuck meant option C from your list.
I try to dilute samples to around 40% to test,haven't yet tried hot water,will give it a try.
Your option D made me smile,and respond.

Aidanmac gives a good guide to spirit cuts here;

download/file.php?id=69

Sorry,it's late,and twelth night and ripping down xmas decorations as fast as I can.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Sun Jan 05, 2014 11:52 pm

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-05T19:54:39+00:00

chill, you said: "Using very hot water (not enough to burn your tongue, but hot) helps in discerning the good from the bad."

Could you give us a little more detail about your procedure here? Unsure if one:
A) sips the hot water between tastings as a palate cleanser
B) gargles with the hot water first to heighten one's senses
C) pours a little of the sample into the hot water, then sniffs/tastes
D) dips appendage of choice into the hot water whilst smelling/tasting - as a matter of style.
E) something completely different

Statistics: Posted by Cherry Yidaki — Sun Jan 05, 2014 7:54 pm

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-05T17:29:43+00:00

I noted in another thread that Aidan's results are around 50%, so you maybe right on. It depends on what ABV we start with.

Chuck

Statistics: Posted by chill — Sun Jan 05, 2014 5:29 pm

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-05T09:40:46+00:00

Hi Chuck,

"All in all, it sounds like you had a great success! Congrats!"

Thank you much sir.

As you noted I probably did cut it off a bit early - but I wanted to be ultra-conservative on my first try.

I will be starting a 2nd wash tomm, as well as running the spirit runs.

And I am now a proud owner of a 500 mil trial jar - lol

Will let you know how everything turns out tomm.

All the best,

Mike P

Statistics: Posted by mikepiet — Sun Jan 05, 2014 9:40 am

Re: First post, first TPW, first day of the New Year

2014-01-05T03:18:26+00:00

If you are getting 52% ABV from the stripping runs, you can afford to let it go a bit longer IMO. There is a line, somewhere, between getting all of the alcohol out and wasting time and electricity. As my rule of thumb, when the combined ABV is below 40%, you cross the line to wasting time. This is an alternative way to measure from Aidan's more accurate measuring of ABV at the end of the run. It does require familiarity with your washes, which you won't have when you first start out.

I'd go much lower when making rum as many of the flavours come over late in the run.

All in all, it sounds like you had a great success! Congrats!

Chuck

Statistics: Posted by chill — Sun Jan 05, 2014 3:18 am