StillSmart

Hi,

Just made the first batch or 2 and whilst pretty happy with the results I am aware that the wash has a \"brewed\" smell about it which comes through to the spirit and remains in the finished 40% batch despite 2 runs through a carbon filter.

How do you get rid of the smell?

when you have your spirit at 40@-ish distill it all again.

you will get about 80-90% spirit, water this down again to about 37-45% and re-filter it.

should be good

Just made the first batch or 2 and whilst pretty happy with the results I am aware that the wash has a "brewed" smell about it which comes through to the spirit and remains in the finished 40% batch despite 2 runs through a carbon filter.

How do you get rid of the smell?

hi lyonacre, did you by any chance use still spirits turbo? i find this a bit whiffy and have gone on to alcotec vodka star instead, its VERY clean smelling and you dont need to use carbon in the wash. usually pay around £3.60-70 from ebay inc p&p and sugars cheapest by the 25 kilo bag from bookers cash n carry, works out at around 56p/kilo

Thanks muchly.
I did the water down to 40% and ran it through twice but still but still smelly but I didn\'t re-distil so I am guessing that would make quite a difference. How much do I put in the still? How long do I run for? How much would I expect to collect at 80%. Will is be 4L in at 40% to collect 2L at 80%?
YES I did use still spirits turbo yeast, so that could be the problem. I have just bought some Alcotec turbo to try too but I will certainly give the vodka star a try next

Hi lyonacre,

Yes your calculations are correct, but, the amount of alcohol will remain the same, ergo, if you redistill the first 2lts are likely to be 80%, I would test at this point and if its not I would keep running until you are happy that you have recovered as much ethanol as possible whilst leaving as much of everything else behind as possible. I would also filter it afterwards and not as it comes out as the carbon will struggle a bit with 80% so you\'ll need to let it down to 40% first for the best result, don\'t worry if it still has an odour as it comes out of the still as the carbon should deal with that,
Cheers, hoppin

Hoppinmad - Do you have to carbon filter if you use alcotec vodka star?

Yes after distilling I would as I helps to get rid of any impurities as well as any odours, if you didn\'t I suspect you may end up with the mother of all hangovers after drinking, the cleaner the spirit the better imo

Thanks.

If you were to distill twice would you filter both times?

Thanks.

If you were to distill twice would you filter both times?

It\'s up to you v4mpy. Personally, I wouldn\'t bother. Just the second time......

I agree with phantom, distill as many times as you feel you need to filter it when you\'re happy then enjoy ;-)

Personally I distill once filter once then drink, generally use the wife as a quality guide but I feel she is gettin a bit fed up of trying neat spirits at 10 o\'clock in the morning, lol

Thanks Phantom & hoppinmad

Hey, Tried redistilling and it made a big difference to the smell! Still got to try the Vodka Star

you wont be disappointed, goes like a train too once it starts bubblin, im listening to mine going in the kitchen now, what a sweet sweet sound. post your thoughts when youve tried it
hoppin

All I hear is my elecronic water pump keeping my coolant water flowing

steady on my super reflux. Quite a annoying sound after a while lol
BOR