StillSmart

I don\'t usually post on forums but I have read so many negative coments about Air Stills and how they can\'t possibly work and how the was can never have the right alcohol level that I thought it was time I shared my experience.
The still arrived, as a starter kit, 10 days ago.
Off I went and got my sugar, followed the instructions and mixed up a bucket of 6KG sugar with a pack of Triple Turdo Yeast and a sachet of carbon, bunged in the airlock and left it in a room with a constant ambient temperature of 23 degrees.
All started bubbling within hours and was fully \"brewed\" out after 4 days.
Put in the 2 part finings and it cleared perfectly with an ABV of 14%. Exactly what the instructions said.
Put the first batch through the still and produced 700ml of spirit - I did through away the first could of CC\'s as suggested elsewhere and I have to say it was pretty smelly - which was 61%, just as the instructions said!
Diluted this with distilled water - made previously with the still - to 40% and put through the filter.
I had all the flow problems that are mentioned elsewhere on the forum and it took a day to sort myself out but I have run about 5 litres through the filter process and I an pleased to say it has a neutral smell and taste and seem ready to go.
All that remains now is to see what the finished drinks are like with the Still Spirits essences - 3 days to wait to find out.
I am very impressed with the whole thing. It seems to do exactly what it says on the box!

hey mate, and welcome,
Congrats on your first run and I\'m sure they will

taste great, the air still does what is says on the

tin, and that\'s what matters, welcome to the hobbie!
BoR

All that remains now is to see what the finished drinks are like with the Still Spirits essences - 3 days to wait to find out.

why wait three days? you can taste immediately, both unflavoured and flavoured, IMO it depends which flavouring you use more than timespan as some taste great straight off some improve slightly after a week and some dont. generally the more expensive flavourings taste better to me but i have been impressed with the prestige stuff so far and the still spirits sachets.

On another point, dont believe the instructions that say you should only use still spirits products in your air still ITS NOT TRUE and imo alcotec (especially vodka star yeasts) are far superior, and wont harm your still as they would have you believe, rant over ;-0

Hey guys,
Thanks for the input!
I was only waiting as the people at wineworks - who have been really helpful and very good, also seem to have fair prices - said it was \"good practise\" as it did often make a difference.
Anyway, today is the day of the tasting - Top Shelf Vodka, Malt Whiskey, English Gin, and a normal sachet of Dark Rum.
When I am next fit to type I will report my thoughts!
I can\'t believe that anything can destroy the enjoyment of not giving Gordon Brown & Co. duty and if it tastes good that\'s a bonus!

lol a top tip you can take paracetamol and ibuprofen together to zap them bad headaches.

Well the trial is in progress!
Top shelf English Gin seems pretty good, smells like gin, tastes like Gin, fine with tonic - then how else do you drink gin
Top shelf malt whiskey smells like whiskey and tastes remarkably malt whiskey like. A bit spirity and some say a tad sweet. Drank it neat with happiness
Still spirits dark run sachet smells like rum and tastes like rum was really good with various mixers.
Top shelf vodka. Not quite so good. The spirit still has that \"brewing\" smell about it despite running through the charcoal filter a couple of times. Still it worked fine in coke so what the hell.
Anyone know how to get rid of the smell?

lyonacre

maybe its because you are just using the basic carbon filter that came with the still,my spirit never smelt really clean until i got the Z filter it is well worth the investment in a deceent way to filter your spirit,the essencia filter looks a very well made easy to use piece of kit (see Opus27\'s post about this)this seems to be the best that is available IMO.
Optic

I'll echo what Optic has just said with the essencia filter. I've now put 20 Litres through it and it really is impressive I've used a Z filter for quite a while and it just does'nt compete with the essencia.
Opus

Hi opus, you say the z filter doesn\'t compete with the essencia filter, do you mean in the quality of what it produces or the ease of operation or both?
And lyonacre, I like gin with dry martini and a touch of lime cordial in a tall glass topped up with lemonade and a few ice cubes, mmmm the refreshing taste of summer ;-)

As regards the Essencia my personal opinion is;

Superior build quality.

Extreme ease of use.

And I believe superior final product.

All though £18.00 may seem expensive for replacement carbon cartridges I believe in the motto, \"You Get What You Pay For\". in this instance.
Opus 27