StillSmart

I have an issue with both UJSM and cornflake whiskey, when I proof down to 40% after a day this happens.

I get what looks like a lump of cotton wool apear in the bottle, if you shake the bottle it just sends the whole lot hazy, you can seperate it off but some will return, any ideas how to stop this?

My thoughts are I am collecting on the spirit run too deep and dragging something undesirable over.
The bottle in the pic is proofed to 47% as I read this would fix but as you can see did not.

What water do you use?

Either Aldi or B&M

Does it happen with both? Does it happen with tap water (providing your tap water is drinkable in the first place)

I think so but not sure, this lot was with aldi water.
I have tonight made a batch with tap water, I'm lucky to live in an area of very good quality mains water, I'll have a look tomorrow and report back with findings.

When this happened before I sent it through a coffee filter and it got rid of all the bits but left it hazy.

I have a suspicion it may be the oak as it is only 1 year seasoned so maybe a sap issue?

hmm. When and how do you oak ?

I oak in a demijohn straight away, I use a good handfull of JD chips and a few of my own dominoes made from 1 year seasoned oak from my local saw mill, cut to size, baked, cross cut and charred with a gas burner, this batch had been resting for about 2 months.

I wonder if 1 year is not enough to season the wood and I'm getting some kind of residue out of the wood?

The tap water test showed the same result, I have left a bottle outside tonight in the cold and if all the crap falls to the bottom at least I have a work around.

When you say straight away...In the spirit or in the fermenter?

I think you are onto something with the homemade oak. If it was fresh oak it would normally be seasoned for 6 years. Try it with just JD chips and see if you still have the same issue.

You could also use 'nuking' to try a small batch of homemade.

All oak is not the same.

My best guess is resin in the wood
But I am only guessing.....

Robert.

I only ever oak the finished spirit and yes I think we are agreed the young oak is likely the problem, I'll try to get hold of an old barrel to chop up, I can't bring myself to pay stilldragon money for a bit of old wood.

I would like to add though, the young oak flavour is really good and if you leave it outside in the cold the crap falls to the bottom.