StillSmart

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-10T06:58:31+00:00

Nice one. Your own gin makes you smile. Well done

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Sun Dec 10, 2017 6:58 am

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-10T01:31:27+00:00

Oh jeez, so made my first couple of bottles of gin. Followed the recipes on the forum and managed to get get 2 bottles of gin made. It tastes like gin! It's actually really nice! Was at a Christmas party this evening and did a blind tasting with two other commercial gins and people's favourites were spread across all three and nobody could be sure which was the homemade one. Absolutely chuffed to bits. Can't wait to make more.

Statistics: Posted by captainfog — Sun Dec 10, 2017 1:31 am

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-09T00:56:17+00:00

Well that was fun. Collected just over a litre of hearts at 70% ABV. Was tasting all the way and I'd say I probably could have let the heads go for another 50ml and have taken about 50ml more of the tails, but yeah very chuffed with the results. I'm cautiously optimistic about getting a nice tipple after the infusion run.

Statistics: Posted by captainfog — Sat Dec 09, 2017 12:56 am

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-08T22:27:56+00:00

Mash wrote:
... And made a lot more undrinkable "good ideas"

Speak for yourself

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Fri Dec 08, 2017 10:27 pm

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-08T11:37:13+00:00

I tried it as an experiment and blind taste tests detected no difference.

Try it for yourself and see what you think. I've decided at least for now I'm not forking out for a better filter it's fine unfiltered (for me).

Statistics: Posted by ITMA — Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:37 am

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-08T11:11:57+00:00

Thanks everyone. I'm currently on my 5th stripping run! Can't wait to to get stuck into the spirit runs. I've only got the carbon filter that came with the kit that everyone says is hopeless. Is it worth putting my hearts through it? Will it do anything?

Statistics: Posted by captainfog — Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:11 am

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-08T07:24:02+00:00

... And made a lot more undrinkable "good ideas"

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Fri Dec 08, 2017 7:24 am

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-07T23:37:57+00:00

captainfog wrote:
Finished my first stripping run and I think it went OK. No puking or anything like that, I used plenty of copper and just to be safe filled it up about half an inch below the 4 litre mark. Anyway, got about 975ml out. I'd say I shut down about 25ml too late as was running just under 20% when I pressed stop. Overall it's showing as 45% ABV so a little lower than the 50% I was aiming for, but I guess, for a first attempt I think it went pretty well. The liquid that came out was crystal clear and smelled very strong but had, I dunno, the smell reminded me a bit of calvados??? Not unpleasant, but I wouldn't want to drink it! Will crack on tomorrow with the rest of my wash and hopefully by the evening I'll have enough for a couple of spirit runs.

Well done on getting so far.
It gets easier from here, if you stick with the plan.
Adjust it as you gain confidence.
Then join us rebels that like to pretend that we know it all.
We don't
We have just a lttle more experience than you.

Robert

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Thu Dec 07, 2017 11:37 pm

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-07T18:49:38+00:00

It's fun isn't it? The spirit run is even better. And the infusion run better still (and easier).

It gets almost routine, but watch out for making stupid mistakes once it becomes routine - I've found myself committing some true howlers that I wouldn't have dreamt of on the first runs. (Including tripping the electric to my entire building).

Your first gin just round the corner. I think you'll be pleased with the results.

Statistics: Posted by ITMA — Thu Dec 07, 2017 6:49 pm

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-07T06:11:09+00:00

Good run. Don't worry about the strength. That is not the point of this run - this one is just too remove the bulk of the water.

The strength and quality with the spirit run.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Thu Dec 07, 2017 6:11 am

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-07T05:26:22+00:00

Well done thats it. Stripped spirit does have that strong
smell as all the different elements in your wash are still
combined. You will notice the changes in smell, taste etc
when you do your cuts on the spirit runs.
Good luck enjoy.

Statistics: Posted by gaza the instructor — Thu Dec 07, 2017 5:26 am

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-07T01:18:11+00:00

Finished my first stripping run and I think it went OK. No puking or anything like that, I used plenty of copper and just to be safe filled it up about half an inch below the 4 litre mark. Anyway, got about 975ml out. I'd say I shut down about 25ml too late as was running just under 20% when I pressed stop. Overall it's showing as 45% ABV so a little lower than the 50% I was aiming for, but I guess, for a first attempt I think it went pretty well. The liquid that came out was crystal clear and smelled very strong but had, I dunno, the smell reminded me a bit of calvados??? Not unpleasant, but I wouldn't want to drink it! Will crack on tomorrow with the rest of my wash and hopefully by the evening I'll have enough for a couple of spirit runs.

Statistics: Posted by captainfog — Thu Dec 07, 2017 1:18 am

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-06T07:05:59+00:00

Copper.. give em a good wash. Beat a few flat.
The first sign things are happening is these will rattle gentle lyrics as the boil gets underway - about and hour in, in my case.

It is a sugar wine, at the moment. It shouldn't be vinegary. If you store it, for any amount of time, seal it up in dj/bottles etc without any air space.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Wed Dec 06, 2017 7:05 am

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-05T22:21:54+00:00

@mash I gave it a sniff about an hour ago and it was really quite pleasant. Strongly smelled of alcohol (made my eyes water!) with a mildly sweet undertone. I suppose a little like wine, but not vinegary. I don't know whether this is a good thing or not, but I feel encouraged that it doesn't smell awful. Can definitely tell it's clearing too, you can see though the tub that the sediment and awful carbon shit is falling to the bottom. The top is definitely looking much clearer already too. Part B of the finings went in about 5 hours ago.

I'll probably fill it just below the 4 litre mark just to be on the safe side, fortuitously my plumber is coming round tomorrow so I'm going to ask to raid his off cuts bucket in his van and grab some bits of copper pipe. I'll definitely put both the conditioner and ceramics in too.

Statistics: Posted by captainfog — Tue Dec 05, 2017 10:21 pm

Re: Air still wash

2017-12-05T16:45:59+00:00

You might just get there. GET SOME COPPER IN THE BOTTOM OF THAT STILL. Coins / washer pipe offcuts or a mixture.... and don't exceed the fill line.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Tue Dec 05, 2017 4:45 pm