StillSmart

Hi all, After some delay i have me first bash with my new smart still. The ABV is 53%. I have measured this with an american alcohol meter that i got at still shop. Is this a bit strong and should i dilute it maybe down to 35 or 40% and if so how? Am i right in thinking that 53%ABV is about 97% proof?

I made the wash from Alcotec Triple Still and have only distilled the first 4lts so far. What yer think chaps? Cheers Shutter.

hi shutter bug, how much did you take from the 4 litres? I took 800ml and it was 60% ish I then distilled some water to dilute to 40% using the following method and formula:
Diluting the Spirits
Adding distilled water to the alcohol to bring down the % and blending the spirits and liqueurs.
Float a Spirit Hydrometer or Alcometer in the spirit and read at the line where the level of the spirit cuts across the hydrometer. Spirit hydrometers should only be used to test spirit in the following conditions: • before any additives such as flavouring or liquid glucose are mixed; • at a temperature of 20 C or refer to the Temperature Correction Chart below for other liquid temperatures

Float the spirit hydrometer in the spirit to measure the alcohol content. As alcohol is thinner than water, the higher in strength the alcohol is the further down the hydrometer floats.
Temperature Correction for Spirit Hydrometer 20 C Alcohol %/Volume

20c -

(68 F) Alcohol % Volume

Temp. 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 98

10 c – 50 f 4.12 3.98 3.67 3.42 3.19 2.92 2.45 2.06

15 c – 59 f 2.03 2.00 1.85 1.73 1.61 1.47 1.25 1.06

20 c – 68 f 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

25 c- -77 f - 2,01 - 1.95 - 1.88 - 1.76 - 1.65 - 1.51 - 1.31 - 1.12

30 c - 86 f - 4.06 - 3.94 - 3.78 - 3.55 - 3.33 - 3.05 - 2.67 - 2.31

35 c – 95 f - 6.15 - 5.98 - 5.82 - 5.4 - 5.13 - 4.67 - 4.07 - 3.54

40 c –104 f - 8.29 - 8.05 - 7.92 - 7.41 - 7.03 - 6.35 - 5.5 - 4.8
If your Spirit Hydrometer reads 50%V at a temperature of 25 Celsius, then you should read the Correction Adjustment from the chart and subtract 1.88 to give a realistic reading of 48.12% V (50% Alc minus 1.88).

Take good care of your Spirit Hydrometer as it is very fragile. Wash & sterilise with cold water only.

After carbon purifying, the spirit should be watered down in strength to 40 % by volume prior to drinking

Calculation of Distilled Water to Add for the dilution of 60% Alc. to 40% Alc. Pure Water and Alcohol only.

Remember, additives such as flavouring and Liquid Glucose will distort the hydrometer readings.
Total Collected. Alc Content. Alc Required. Distilled Water to Add.

700 ml 60% 40% 350 ml.

Therefore: - Amount Collected 700 ml. multiplied by Alc Content 60% = 42000 ml. @ 60 % Alc

divided by Alc required 40% = 1050 ml. minus the original collected 700mls of Alc

Therefore: - 350 ml. Distilled water to Add.
800mls 60% 40% 800 ml 400 ml

Therefore: - Amount Collected 800 ml Multiplied by Alc Content 60% = 48000 ml @ 60 % Alc

Divided by Alc required 40% = 1200 ml minus the original collected 800mls of Alc

Therefore: - 400 ml Distilled water to Add.
This formula can be used for any variable – Alcohol, Distilled Water or Quantity.
Hope this helps, it worked for me.
Regards, Ian
the temp adjustment table didn't paste well here but I can e-mail if you want it

WOW!!! Thats bloody great Ian. I got about 950ml after about 1.5 hours on the boil. I was going to just bung in some tap water tbh and see how i got on LOL! glad you put me right. Am i better of to dilute it as i go or waiting untill the end.....guess it depends if i want to neck it at the weekend or not :-) I got a temp chart with the meter so i am ok with that but thanks anyway. Cheers Shutter.

Personally I like to collect all my batches together and do the dilution right at the end, before filtering and bottling. Filtering works better at 40% so that is worth bearing in mind. I would definitely run it through some carbon if you can, even just putting a couple of spoonfuls into the bottle, shaking it up, then pouring through a coffee filter - it makes a big difference with a vodka type spirit.
On the other hand, if you're drinking with a mixer then you can just pour short measures if you're impatient like me!

Yeah i think yer right be easier at the end of the run. Aint going to bad collected about 3lts so far. Cant wait to give it a bash!

You're only about 2 weeks behind me and I'm already on my second wash, I did my dilution one litre at a time (too impatient). you've got the best to come, THE TASTING, ENJOY.