StillSmart

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-26T13:17:23+00:00

Just stripping gen2 and am noticing plenty of corn smell again.
This wash is meant to be 12% but at 650ml I'm down to 56% combined
And 40% coming off the still.
Does this sound ok?
I just don't want a crappy yield like last time!

Statistics: Posted by Corps012588 — Thu Jun 26, 2014 1:17 pm

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-17T17:31:54+00:00

Those percentages are based on what is in the still (ratio of water to other compound) and that the temperature rises as the percentage of ethanol decreases. So the dropping ABV is a proxy measurement for rising temperature in the still. As the temperature rises, more of the higher (lower, I forget which) alcohols boil off and tails appears in the output. In other words, yes, those percentages are consistent. If you put in a higher ABV strip, the initial ABV out of the still will be higher. That is where you will see the difference.

Statistics: Posted by chill — Tue Jun 17, 2014 5:31 pm

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-16T15:51:15+00:00

No worries buddy. Do you find those percentages to be pretty close with most of your washes?
I've been tasting by collecting a teaspoon and then adding the same amount of water
And making my judgement based on that taste.

Statistics: Posted by Corps012588 — Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:51 pm

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-16T14:53:32+00:00

That is not enough details to comment on that guideline. For me, with an AirStill, 70% down to 50% is where I expect tails to appear (60% to 50% is where they do appear). A reflux still is an entirely different beast and VM/LM/CM and different stills will all show differences in output.

Statistics: Posted by chill — Mon Jun 16, 2014 2:53 pm

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-16T07:11:22+00:00

I keep seeing on other sites guys mentioning collecting between 70% down to 60% on the
Spirit runs.
No one has mentioned why. Does anyone here use that guideline?
When I had my sip. There wasn't really a taste of corn but it was infinitely better and tastier than
Alcotec48 sugar washes.
The spirit I collected is now in 2 mason jars,
One with 6 large jim beam chips and the other with 6 large JD chips
I know it's not a lot of oak but I thought if I just leave it alone for a few weeks and see what happens.

Statistics: Posted by Corps012588 — Mon Jun 16, 2014 7:11 am

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-15T19:49:55+00:00

I feel the same way about most commercial stuff now. The sharp taste of heads makes it unpleasant to drink.

Statistics: Posted by chill — Sun Jun 15, 2014 7:49 pm

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-15T19:40:50+00:00

Hey Hey!

I'm glad to hear that everything worked out with Gen1 and you are moving on to Gen 2. You'll see that once you get around to 4 and 5, the taste really starts to shine. Also,using a mixed grain bill will give the taste some complexity. I have had some really good success going light on the oak and putting it away in the attic and forgetting about it. I just took some from the attic that was Gen2 that I made last November and it is really good. The heat and cold from the multiple seasons does make a real difference.

I now try to keep my basic UJSSM "bourbon-style" going in one fermenter and my experimental batches in another. That way, I always have something to do. It also let's me experiment with variations of my recipes while making more of my main stuff.

Now that you've got the hang of it, your next goal will be getting the right amount of oak and age for your liking.

Funny story... I am mainly a bourbon drinker but these days, I mostly drink my own stuff. Since I control the cuts the way that I like, my palette has adjusted to drinking less heads in commercial hooch. Now, almost every time I drink something commercial that isn't super high end, I have bad hiccups and heartburn. Oh well, I guess I have to just make more of my own!

Statistics: Posted by rhinus — Sun Jun 15, 2014 7:40 pm

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-15T08:09:54+00:00

I ended up throwing some of the cleared wash as I disturbed it in the bottom of the fermenter.
I had almost filled my smartstill and then the fermenter rocked and I just thought ah sheet!
I would've got another strip run had I not.
I threw the first 50ml
Collected 350ml heads
500 ml hearts
Another 250ml possible hearts
100ml maybe tails
100ml probably tails
I did collect another 100ml but didn't like the smell of it so threw it.

Statistics: Posted by Corps012588 — Sun Jun 15, 2014 8:09 am

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-15T00:56:48+00:00

Corps012588 wrote:
......Upped the abv to 11.5 this time as I only managed to get 1500ml of drinking spirit at 45% from my original 9% wash.

That must be some really harsh cuts to get so little drinkable juice from a 26 litre wash.
These days I have the benefits of a larger pot still,(easier/fewer cuts,less waste/recycling),and would expect at least twice,nearly three times your quantity from a flavoured wash,at such ABV strip percentages.
I still do the odd sugar wash to 13% ish for carbon filtering for other assorted uses,but I (currently) believe low ABV,fast,(3 day)ferments are the way to go for a flavoured wash.
And personal opinion,based upon experience,-unless you have a hard to clean boiler,don't wait forever for the wash to clear,from the day the yeasties stop working,the flavour dynamic of your wash is changing.
Maybe you are seeking the sour taste.
I have not tried UJSM,so cannot comment on that practise.
As an aside,I think you would need to throw Allinson's yeast (which I do sometimes use) into a duck pond in the middle of winter and call it names,before it even blinked,let alone got stressed!
Happy Stillin',
Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Sun Jun 15, 2014 12:56 am

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-14T22:16:03+00:00

Just had a cheeky sip of my first run of ujsm after following guidance from rhinus and then letting it air 24hrs.
I am well impressed already that something this nice could come from chicken feed and sugar.
None of the usual sugar wash twang.
Can't wait to try gen 2
Upped the abv to 11.5 this time as I only managed to get 1500ml of drinking spirit at 45% from my original 9% wash.
I just didn't want to stress my allinsons yeast too much.

Statistics: Posted by Corps012588 — Sat Jun 14, 2014 10:16 pm

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-13T06:51:06+00:00

Heya buddy. I managed to get gen2 going last night. It's bubbling like crazy as we speak.
I've adjusted the abv to 12%
Loving the hobby even more now!

Statistics: Posted by Corps012588 — Fri Jun 13, 2014 6:51 am

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-13T00:54:04+00:00

Hey Corps! I love the smell of corn after the strip runs! It sounds like you have got it going? Did you add a gallon or so of backset to the first fermenter and get it going on generation 2? The wash seems a little low but you can adjust for it next time. Also, make sure you collect some feints to add to your low wines also for a little boost.

Statistics: Posted by rhinus — Fri Jun 13, 2014 12:54 am

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-12T15:18:58+00:00

Hmm! Appears I may need to up the abv a little.
I've just got a little over 750ml strip from a 9% wash.
That was by running like usual:- stripping until what's coming of the still
Is 20%

Statistics: Posted by Corps012588 — Thu Jun 12, 2014 3:18 pm

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-12T14:08:50+00:00

Well I've started stripping it and all I can say oh my god!!!!
The smell of the strip is bloody incredible!, smells a little like buttered corn cobs.
I am trying so hard to resist the urge to taste the strip.

Statistics: Posted by Corps012588 — Thu Jun 12, 2014 2:08 pm

Re: Attempt at new wash.

2014-06-12T08:22:15+00:00

I decided to add finings last night and this morning it's looking ready.
Going to start stripping this afternoon using advice from rhinus.
If anyone else has any tips with running it through the smartstill then I'd love to hear
About your procedure.

Statistics: Posted by Corps012588 — Thu Jun 12, 2014 8:22 am