StillSmart

I just finished the strip run of my first ever distillation; came out at 50% abv with a yield of 6 litres. It smells and tastes like crap, so much so that i'm sceptical as to whether even a spirit run will clear it up much.

Anyway... Time to put it through again. I've used the search bar to try and find some info to no avail, so does anyone know of any guides on spirit runs specifically? I gather that it needs to be diluted to 30% abv and have cuts made but I am clueless on the specifics of it.

P.S: Just got some Alcotec vodka star in the mail. I gather this is a pretty good yeast, or atleast a step up from Still Spirits?

This is not the definitive guide, but will steer you in the right direction
download/file.php?id=326
You can learn from there.

Vodka Star is a step up.
There are also alternatives.
Non Turbo.

However you do it, do it well


Robert.

Strips often smell bad. No panic.

Never chuck anything, it can always be used or recycled.

Thanks guys. The guide doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but this is what I have planned:

1 - Discard first 50 ML
2 - Collect 250 ml of heads in a Pyrex jug, and transfer to a heads bottle
3 - Keep collecting heads in pyrex until the taste improves, then add it to a separate heads bottle
4 - Start collecting in glass dishes
5 - After distillation, determine which cut every jar is.

Does this sound about right? Thanks

Jam jars. Wine glasses. Anything you can collect 100ml batches in.

I'd try something along the lines of discard your first 50ml, reserve the next 250ml for heads, then collect in 100ml batches until output drops to around 30% (or you run out of collecting vessels!). Cover all these with a teatowel and leave overnight. Do your cuts the next day - this gives any volatiles a chance to evaporate off.

I'm assuming you're using an AirStill there - collecting the output of a bigger still would be a pain in 100ml batches!

Cheers

Hampk

Thanks Hampk, that makes a lot of sense! Gunna go do the spirit run now, i'll let you guys know how the vodka turns out

Well done Racker. One thing I and may others have
found out about Vodka Star is use 5kg not 6kg of sugar.
It ferments out smoother and nicer, not harsh.

Many thanks Gaza. Just finnished my spirit run and I have to say, even alot of the heads and tails smells and tastes pretty decent. The hearts seem very smooth also! Pretty happy since this was my first go at it!

Think I'll be 'sampling' quite alot of spirit tonight

EDIT: I diluted some down to 40%. By far the worst thing i've ever drank lol. It's incredibly yeasty and even though this was my first go at it, with turbo yeast, I was expecting something at least semi drinkable. Maybe the little carbon filter will help but I doubt it

This is where the cuts count, even a turbo will produce good hearts.
I have to admit that before your edit I suspected that you were just seeking cheap booze, however it tasted.
Leave it uncovered a couple of days.
Go back to the Hearts section and try again.
A little carbon teabag won't do much, if that is what you mean here.
HTH

Robert.

Been sitting 1 and a half days and still aint great. What do you think I should do with all this yeasty vodka? Is it salvageable?

If you are giving up on it, then mix it all together,and dilute to sub 30%.
Re-run your spirit run, paying close attention to making cuts at the recommended volumes.
Don't rush to sample it.
It will come good.
Some of it anyway.

Robert.