StillSmart

Re: Airstill Whisky

2014-09-05T15:56:50+00:00

I aimed for a wash of 10%.

Statistics: Posted by amaark — Fri Sep 05, 2014 3:56 pm

Re: Airstill Whisky

2014-09-05T11:44:56+00:00

I'm not a whisky drinker, but I have been thinking about this kind of thing as I am experimenting with making all grain beers. Maybe if I make a good whisky, I might change my mind about the stuff, who knows. At the very least it would make an interesting gift to close friends and family.

When making a mash for distilling, would you just go for a standard beer without the hops, or would you mash it low for extra fermentables but lower body?

Statistics: Posted by Aethelstan — Fri Sep 05, 2014 11:44 am

Re: Airstill Whisky

2014-09-05T06:37:34+00:00

Okay, not been around for a while due to circumstances.

I was able to resist further trips to age-ing cupboard until last weekend.

As many people have said previous "patience, patience" after what was consumed I have to agree with this. The difference was unbelievable, I don't profess to be a expert or anything of the sort, it was an experiment into the unknown to produce a malt I liked.

It was a success, warm to the throat, smooth, vanilla hints, .....

For any newcomer to this hobby, hey give it a try you might just impress yourself.

Statistics: Posted by amaark — Fri Sep 05, 2014 6:37 am

Re: Airstill Whisky

2013-12-15T13:59:52+00:00

Cut down to 48%, last week.

What a smell, beautiful.

I confess, I had to try a nip (diluted down to 40%) Warm, malty, soft with vanilla notes and a warming, not burning, sensation in the back of my throat.

If this is what can be achieved with DME / LME / all grain I can't wait to try again. One very happy chappy.

Statistics: Posted by amaark — Sun Dec 15, 2013 1:59 pm

Re: Airstill Whisky

2013-12-09T14:48:20+00:00

I was aimimg for 60%. I sneezed slopped to much water in and ended up with 56%......

..... now you've wiped the laughter tears from your eyes. I have used a medium toast French Oak.

Statistics: Posted by amaark — Mon Dec 09, 2013 2:48 pm

Re: Airstill Whisky

2013-12-09T07:09:57+00:00

+1 good for you Amaark, seems as though you have gone hard at this...it'll be worth it, I'm sure....

may I ask....why the dilute to 56%ABV prior to (initial) oaking?
and what kind of oaking (sticks) did you use?

Statistics: Posted by Frank — Mon Dec 09, 2013 7:09 am

Re: Airstill Whisky

2013-12-05T04:18:46+00:00

Good for you amaark!
I am pleased you have a good result.
My sack of malt sits here,waiting.
I hope to get brewing next week.
Nice detail mate,and I hope that when it is ready to drink,it is all you would hope for.
Slange var!
Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Thu Dec 05, 2013 4:18 am

Re: Airstill Whisky

2013-12-04T11:06:52+00:00

DME Single Malt (using an Airstill)
The Wash
6 kg Dried Malt Extract
30 gramBakers Yeast
34 litreWash Volume
SG1.066
1.5 week fermentation, Room temperature 19 to 21 deg C
FG1.006
Abv7.74%(SG-FG) x 129

Strip Runs
3l per strip run to allow for puking, collected to a volume of 1 litre. Due to work constraints I have to use a time based solution. (this was 4.5hrs) I have a 220v AC supply, this means my Airstill is operating at around 280w instead of the 320w with a 240v supply.
Managed to get 11 runs at 3 litres each. Final run was very cloudy but passed with no issue.
Stripped Quantity was 11 litres at approx. 22%.
Due to the constraints of the Airstill and wanting to follow Harry’s Glenmarongie Cuts I had to carry out a “spirit strip” run. Basically I charged my still with 3 litres of strip and distilled it, no cuts to an output of 10%.
This produced 1.40 litres at approx. 45%.

Spirit Runs
Using Harry’s guide I fully charged the still 4 litres - 60/40 with strip / spirit strip.
Again using a mix and match to keep as close as I could to the guide I wanted emulate I cut as follows:
Foreshot-50ml
Heads – down to 75% ouput
Hearts – 75% - 60%
Tails – 60% and below
Heads and Tails from each run were immediately recycled into the spirit with the 60/40 being relaxed.
Final output was 2.00 ish litres at 67%

Aging
The spirit has been cut to 56% and is currently on oak. 10 grams per litre. It is taking on a beautiful amber colour with a distinctive vanilla smell.
It is my intention at monthly intervals to cut to 48, 44 and finally 40. The spirit will be left to rest at 40% for a further month before bottling and consumption.

Wrap Up.

Would I do this again? Certainly would. The output by volume is not large but the aroma is fantastic. Just because it's an Airstill doesn't mean you can't play with more than sugar and essence.

I didn't have a clue what to expect and I still don't know what the flavour will be like. From aroma alone it smells like an Irish Whisky more than a Scotch.

Statistics: Posted by amaark — Wed Dec 04, 2013 11:06 am

Re: Airstill Whisky

2013-10-19T11:40:08+00:00

Thank Bill,

I'll give it a go tonight. I've got 8 3 litre water bottles lined up to shake the hell out of it.

Statistics: Posted by amaark — Sat Oct 19, 2013 11:40 am

Re: Airstill Whisky

2013-10-19T11:37:30+00:00

Hi Amaark i would say its done its hard to get the fg to 1.010 mine was finshed at 1.014 degas the hell out of it and give it a go but be puke aware
cheers

Statistics: Posted by billmcc — Sat Oct 19, 2013 11:37 am

Re: Airstill Whisky

2013-10-19T11:26:27+00:00

OK, so things don't appear to be going to plan and I'm in need of some help.

I aimed for an SG of 1.075.
Working on the understanding that fermentation is is complete with an FG of 1.000. I should have a wash abv of 8.5%.

That was the theory anyhow, the reality is as follow's.

Actual SG 1.066.
Current Gravity 1.016.
Current abv 6.45%.

The current abv doesn't bother me, the current gravity reading does and it has been stuck there for 2 days.

The question is, has it stalled, has it finished, can it be distilled or is it a lost cause.

I've not had this issue with sugar washes and this has been fermented in the same conditions. All advice is welcome.

Statistics: Posted by amaark — Sat Oct 19, 2013 11:26 am

Re: Airstill Whisky

2013-10-17T17:22:05+00:00

Go for it big man.

Keep us informed on how you go.

Statistics: Posted by amaark — Thu Oct 17, 2013 5:22 pm

Re: Airstill Whisky

2013-10-14T21:48:14+00:00

amaark ya bugger,
You pushed me over the edge,
25Kg heavily peated malt ordered.
I plan to do it the hard way,8% washes,cultured Mauri yeast,etc, as close to an Islay as I can do it.
It has to wait a few weeks,work trip getting in the way.
Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:48 pm

Re: Airstill Whisky

2013-10-14T09:17:18+00:00

@amaark
expect that your end product WONT have that cloying sugarhit mouthfeel/backnote.....

A slow, double distill will be fine, providing there's care with fractions/cuts and NO carbon.
Suitable MT oaking will provide a slight maple/soft finish at around 65%ABV maturation.
Add a min of 3 months later.... enjoy!

Statistics: Posted by Frank — Mon Oct 14, 2013 9:17 am

Re: Airstill Whisky

2013-10-15T00:40:29+00:00

"I haven't got a clue what to expect. Good, bad or indifferent this is my first attempt at a none sugar wash and the experience and learning will be worth it."

Expect something good,sounds good to me.
Wishing you great results.
Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Oct 14, 2013 3:20 am