A question for gin lovers

[gaza the instructor]

First attempt at making gin yesterday.
Made from double run and filtered 40% clear spirit.
Crushed my spices lightly added all to Air Still with
1 drop conditioner. Ran and collected down to 50%.
Dropped to 40% using still bottled water.
Bottled in 4 glass jars. Tasted lovely and crystal clear.
Looked this morning ,gone a bit cloudy!!
Any idea why ?

[Myles]

Did you by any chance not discard the first 5 or 10 ml? Might be gin oil dropping out of suspension.

If you pour some into a glass and add a few drops of water does it get cloudier?

[gaza the instructor]

Yes Miles and has a blue tinge to it.

[gaza the instructor]

Am going to run another batch tonight.
May be add whats left of this batch to
new distill and run again?
Throw 1st 10 ml you say thanks will try that.
Got to say big hit with the family,more taste
than usual gins nice.
Have you tried Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic
" its nice with ice "

[Myles]

A Louche.

Some folks actually try to get a louche with their gin on purpose, and you can manipulate it to get it in different colours.

There was a time when most gin was like that, and I think they only really fixed it with chill filtering. Provided the taste is OK I honestly wouldn't be that bothered.

Some of the commercial distilleries are starting to label as "Non Chill Filtered"

You may find that if you bottle at 45% or 46% it might clear up in the bottle.

[gaza the instructor]

Thanks Myles that would be the blue tinge then .
Yes i does taste awesome. Have experimented with a
few different spices having trouble trying to get
some of the more unusual ones.

[chill]

I would not redistill it, or would do so cautiously. Re-distillation won't take a lot of the flavour away but it will change it. You may not like the result as much. And if you add extra botanicals to compensate then you have to allow for the original flavours that carry over. I have done this several times trying to correct disappointing experiments. I don't often get a good or better result.

As you like the taste of what you have I'd say "My, this is nice gin!" and drink it.

Chuck

[gaza the instructor]

Thanks Chill, it seems to have cleared
this eve on its own.
Her indoors said it was a bit strong on the
botanical, so added half liter of finished
product now more to her taste.
With the next breath she said "can you do a
lemon and lime one".
Thats women for you !!

[chill]

Gin and women are wonderful things, or things full of wonder. I've never been terribly clear on that.

[Mash]

Although you have your answers can I ask.....
Are you using a basket or hot maceration? I found greater extraction hot but better flavours with the basket.

I found 50‰ solved the problem for me.
I would not add conditioner... No reason other that just don't think it is necessary.

Care to share your recipe?

[gaza the instructor]

I dont have a basket,would give one a try.
Can they be bought ?
Here is my make one recipe.
18gms Juniper berries
9gms Coriander seeds
6 Black pepper corns
3 Cardamon pods
6 All spice berries
half flat t.sp Anise seed

Give a little crush to open flavors.
3 1 inch strips Tangerine
half inch cinnamon stick
half teaspoon almond extract.

Add above to Air Still or pot still
the rest is normal practice for a
spirit run.
As ive learnt for you gents no
conditioner and throw 1st 20mls.
All other trys and recipes will post.

[Mash]

This details the basket.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3768&p=31536&hilit=sputnik#p31536

I think there are some recipes kicking about too..

Search for 'sputnik'...all will be revealed

[gaza the instructor]

Thanks Mash parts on order,
im gonna join the space race.
Did another gin run tonight added
some angelica and orris root.
From what I make out they are like
preservatives ?
Enjoying the gin all the same,
has become very popular with my lot.

[Easydrinker]

Once you get a taste for it, it has you.
Sometimes just the one, sometimes a bucketful!
This old whore of a drink sank her nails into me when I was a mere adventurous child, allying herself with concentrated Orange juice, I still remember that first taste, and was hooked ever after.

Robert.

[Mash]

Welcome, - I don;t think you will be disappointed. Does seem to add a bit more complexity rather than a rare slap in the face gin.

"angelica and orris root" - had the same though when I read your recipe.
You might also find that trimming the peppercorns back a bit livens things up. I have found they have a dulling effect and use sparingly now. BUT they do give a gin longer finish.