StillSmart

Re: Scotch whisky wash challenge

2016-04-11T23:57:38+00:00

Calvados sounds good, I had relegated it, thinking it too much work, but it really can't be more than a malt whisky, can it?
And it would open the door to Eau de vie de pomme and Pommeau.
Last years apples went to waste for the most part, and we have a small press, lets see what this year brings...

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Apr 11, 2016 11:57 pm

Re: Scotch whisky wash challenge

2016-04-11T09:57:56+00:00

Thanks Robert!

I'm getting ready for a new project. I'm thinking maybe a rum or some kind of fruit schnaps, calvados etc.

Any suggestions?

Statistics: Posted by claes — Mon Apr 11, 2016 9:57 am

Re: Scotch whisky wash challenge

2016-04-11T02:40:34+00:00

Excellent!
You seem to have a good result, I am pleased for you.
May your next effort be even better,

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Apr 11, 2016 2:40 am

Re: Scotch whisky wash challenge

2016-04-10T21:25:23+00:00

So...
One week has passed since I finished destilling. I kept a pretty detailed log, but here are the highlights of where I'm at.

I followed Easydrinker's example: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3027&p=19792&hilit=robert%27s+malt+whisky#p19792

I took much harder cuts though and ended up with a total 3 litres of 65% whisky.
It tasted pretty terrible. Like burned tires or something, but it WAS whisky.
Nevertheless I started thinking about carbon filtering the whole thing if it wouldn't show signs of improvement.

I put it in three 1litre jars and added three types of oak chips. One with cubes, one with flakes and one with sticks. 10g in each, and left these on my balcony with a little opening in the lid.

Today I reluctantly tasted it...
And it turned out to be much better! I added some cold water and it blossomed. Still pretty rough and 'gritty', but absolutely drinkable. It reminded me of the smell of an old sail ship - salty, oily and tar-like. But sweet and with a hint of green apple.

I'm gonna give it five more weeks before I taste it again, but it seems like this can turn out to be quite the interesting product.

Thanks for all the help along the way!

Statistics: Posted by claes — Sun Apr 10, 2016 9:25 pm

Re: Scotch whisky wash challenge

2016-03-21T22:44:45+00:00

claes,
If you are serious, please read this,
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3027&p=19792&hilit=robert%27s+malt+whisky#p19792
It is not all that you need to know, but it is much of it.

Sorry, as I tapped the above you posted again, give it all a re-read and see what you think, but don't expect it to be easy.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:44 pm

Re: Scotch whisky wash challenge

2016-03-21T22:38:54+00:00

Update: I took a sample from my stripping run when it was around 40ABV. I tasted it now and it was pretty great! Similar in taste to a Laphroaig or thereabout. Simpler and unfinished of course, but a round and peated taste. I was really surprised.

So, now I started wondering – maybe I should just have done one run? I'm afraid I will loose too much taste on the spirit run. Now, I will have to do another run on the 5 liters I have this far anyway, so maybe I should do a spirit run on this first and compare that to the next stripping run of the remaining mash.

What do you guys think?

Statistics: Posted by claes — Mon Mar 21, 2016 10:38 pm

Re: Scotch whisky wash challenge

2016-03-21T21:14:13+00:00

Makes sense. But to get the whisky flavor I shouldn't cut it too soon, even on the stripping run, right? I'm on my fifth run now. Each has left me with approx 1 liter of 30%ABV. I'm not very methodic, but I usually stop when I'm down to 10%ABV.

Statistics: Posted by claes — Mon Mar 21, 2016 9:14 pm

Re: Scotch whisky wash challenge

2016-03-20T22:26:00+00:00

You can't go by the volume of what other people collect from other washes. That is not a useful number. ABV is a much better guide when stripping. I think Robert reported that most whisky makers go quite low in the strip run.

Statistics: Posted by chill — Sun Mar 20, 2016 10:26 pm

Re: Scotch whisky wash problem

2016-03-20T20:18:30+00:00

Ok, so day 1 of distilling. The whisking and shaking of the barrel helped, along with some added sugar and change of temperature. The methane smell is all but gone and the taste is not that bad. The peated flavor comes out.

I left the 35 liters of ABV 6,6% on the balcony over night to cold crash it, and now I'm on my third stripping run. The two previous runs left me with 1,1 liters of 28-30% ABV. Should I have waited until 1,5l as most people do? The last drops I tasted was almost water...

I guess it will take me 3-4 days to complete the stripping run. I'm looking forward to the spirit run, but how should I best do the cuts? The results of the first stripping runs have a distinct peated aroma that I'm afraid to loose on the next run.

ps. this is a great hobby!

Statistics: Posted by claes — Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:18 pm

Re: Scotch whisky wash problem

2016-03-18T11:10:34+00:00

Yes. I have the BM 50 liter

I don't think there is an issue with the water. Never been before at least.
I think maybe the yeast must have produced some unwanted esters.

On Sunday I'll try to distill whatever happens.
Will keep you posted.

Statistics: Posted by claes — Fri Mar 18, 2016 11:10 am

Re: Scotch whisky wash problem

2016-03-18T06:50:52+00:00

No. Anyone had mashing problems because of the calcium levels being too low?

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Fri Mar 18, 2016 6:50 am

Re: Scotch whisky wash problem

2016-03-18T07:31:46+00:00

Myles are you calling him a softy :-)

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Thu Mar 17, 2016 6:11 pm

Re: Scotch whisky wash problem

2016-03-17T12:31:24+00:00

Have you considered the calcium requirements for starch conversion? Is that an issue with your water?

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Thu Mar 17, 2016 12:31 pm

Re: Scotch whisky wash problem

2016-03-17T11:44:45+00:00

claes wrote:
I made a whisky mash in a braumeister using this recipe:

6kg peated malt
6kg pale malt

Claes...you must have the BM 50 Ltr...as I only get 6kg max in the 20 Ltr

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Thu Mar 17, 2016 11:44 am

Re: Scotch whisky wash problem

2016-03-17T11:23:30+00:00

Thanks for all the advice!

I checked the Ph now. It was about 4.
FG is the same - 1.010.
Noticed now that it has got a slight smell of methane...

I will try to give it a good whisking, then I will add half a kilo of sugar and give it a few more days. After that I guess I will just give it a go...

Statistics: Posted by claes — Thu Mar 17, 2016 11:23 am