Problem stripping the ABV from commercial liqueur

[babelfish06]

I have a t500 reflux still and have used it a couple of times with great results. I recently stripped the 21% ABV from 80 bottles of musk liqueur and then distilled it taking cuts. What I got throughout all the cuts was a taste of the original musk flavour that carbon filtering does not remove. Can anyone offer any advice on how to clean this up into a nice neutral spirit?

[Mash]

Yes and no.

I had the same problem with previous gin experiments. Carbon filter will no do it. You need a very controllable column.
Do you have a power controller? Running it slower might just do it?

PS if you don't have a power controller, next week you might find you are the only person on the forum that doesn't

[babelfish06]

I am unable to find the post about power controllers and how to use them, can anyone link me?

[Easydrinker]

Search box.
Top right of the page.
Should show a plethora.

Apparently a plethora is an ancient measure equivalent to around 23 metres.
And you thought Goggle was the only search engine that fed you information.

Robert.

[babelfish06]

Thanks for stating the obvious there Easydrinker, you do indeed get a plethora of hits. In fact, every time the words 'power' and 'controller' are used (together or not) in ANY post about ANY topic, you get a hit.
If anyone can provide a link to the post about how to use a power controller, I'd very much appreciate you sharing that with me.

[Myles]

You did ask.
Even azeotrope at 95% can still have flavour. Its been known for a long time that to get a real neutral there are only two options.
You either run it REAL slow or you run it more than once.

Pot stilled vodka (close but not neutral) is re-diluted and run multiple times. Each run leaves flavour in the boiler.

An old recommendation is that for heads removal (on a 2" packed column) power should be no more than 700 watts. That means you need some form of power management.

Even old fashioned pot stills invariably used power management. Different power input was used for each phase of the run.

[H12rpo]

Here you go.....it’s on the bay
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... ID=EBAY-GB

Suitable for the T500 I understand.....I’ve got one on the way

[babelfish06]

Thanks Myles for your advice. I am hearing 'redistil' from several sources so that's what I'm gonna do. I called Still Spirits in NZ and they suggested diluting to around 40% and adding 3 teaspoons of soda ash to a 23-25 litre boil. I'm gonna do a with/without comparison to see if it's good advice. I'll post back here when I get a result.
Thanks too H12rpo (and Mash) but there's no postage to Oz from that link and no comparable item in a local search, maybe not legal here.
And Easydrinker...at least your post count went up.

[Mash]

I very much doubt they are illegal. They are made in China, if you have a look on local auction sites I am positive you will find similar.

[Mash]

Thanks Myles for your advice. I am hearing 'redistil' from several sources so that's what I'm gonna do. I called Still Spirits in NZ and they suggested diluting to around 40% and adding 3 teaspoons of soda ash to a 23-25 litre boil. I'm gonna do a with/without comparison to see if it's good advice. I'll post back here when I get a result.

This is a good discussion. http://www.artisan-distiller.net/phpBB3 ... =32&t=5649

[H12rpo]

There’s a T500 compatible controller on the still spirits site for New Zealand

[Myles]

Just make sure that you ONLY add bicarb to stripped low wines.

Do not ever add it to the fermented wash. If you have copper components they will get seriously corroded and your distillate will be blue and smell of ammonia.

[jonx69]

Here you go.....it’s on the bay
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... ID=EBAY-GB

Suitable for the T500 I understand.....I’ve got one on the way

I'm guessing the dial markings is the voltage?
how would that translate to the Wattage? as that seems to be how you would control the temp ie lower to 800W
Does it simply work as half the voltage gives half the wattage?

[Easydrinker]

Just make sure that you ONLY add bicarb to stripped low wines.

Do not ever add it to the fermented wash. If you have copper components they will get seriously corroded and your distillate will be blue and smell of ammonia.

I am assuming Myles that here you are being specific to a fermented out wash?
I routinely add Bicarb of Soda to my neutral washes on day 3 or 4 after ph testing.
This I find helpful, not derogatory.

Robert.

[Easydrinker]

Thanks Myles for your advice. I am hearing 'redistil' from several sources so that's what I'm gonna do. I called Still Spirits in NZ and they suggested diluting to around 40% and adding 3 teaspoons of soda ash to a 23-25 litre boil. I'm gonna do a with/without comparison to see if it's good advice. I'll post back here when I get a result.
Thanks too H12rpo (and Mash) but there's no postage to Oz from that link and no comparable item in a local search, maybe not legal here.
And Easydrinker...at least your post count went up.

My post count doesn't need to rise.
Welcome to my personal shit list.
I don't mind new members having a pop at me.
It goes with the territory.
The fact that you joined right after I banned a previous member for being a PINTA to other members, I do find suspect.
I will be watching your posts with interest.

This really is the wrong place and person to pick a fight.

Robert.