StillSmart

Well that's the first run with the 4" pro cap torpedo fitted to the T500 column on a 30% stripped wash

First thoughts and observations

I found the setup gave plenty of reflux plate was nicely charged and bubbled well

The ABV came out lower than a standard run,about 90%, which I found odd but the product was definitely superior

Messed around with water flow and found a slightly higher cooling water temperature, around 68-70 degrees, seemed to work best which in turn used a bit less water .Run time was slightly quicker too.

Didn't mess around with power input ie 1800 Watts so might try this next time

As I posted elsewhere I'm going to give it a try on the whisky spirit run in due course

I do suspect an extra T section and plate will be joining the setup soon

Any thoughts suggestions or comments lads ?

Should also add as the Cap'n mentioned previously the lass suddenly starts to fog when tails appear
It's quite abrupt but much easier to spot

Seems strange that the % output dropped compared to a normal run, I can only think it was down to the power being too high, the first time I used mine, I adjusted the power just above the point where the I could see the plate working with enough reflux from the coil.

My setups a little different as I run VM with all the reflux liquid returning down the column during the initial setup when I'm adjusting the power.

On a T500 you have a CM setup, something I'm not entirely familiar with yet but I would go about setting the power in a similar way, I would have full cooling and increase the power to just above the point when I can see the plate working, then slowly reduce the cooling allowing product to come through, the balancing act would be to adjust the cooling to get a decent enough collection rate while still pulling a high 93-95%
Hopefully the power won't need adjusting once set but I imagine with CM control that if the product is taken off above a certain rate the power might need to be increased a little to maintain the reflux necessary to keep the plate flooded and working.

I'm hoping to run mine again soon, this time I'll be adjusting my cooling flow which I've not done before on my setup, I'll post how I get on

Hi mate thanks for that
You may well have the answer there the plate was bubbling big style
I'm planning to use it with the alembic dome on the all grain spirit run and I would be using my power controller then in any case
I'll also do the same on the next neutral when a second short bubble T may be joining the setup

Been doing the All grain spirit run combining the alembic dome! torpedo and pothead

Had about 28 litres of stripped plus heads and tails from previous as usual, giving a starting ABV of approx 26%

It was a bit of a guessing game on cuts as the starting ABV coming out was in the high 80%s so started collecting heads, approx 500ml then collected around about 7.5L of hearts At overall 75% before tails appeared and sight glass started fogging up

Very pleased with this so far good output, flavours have carried over and it definately tastes smoother

Forgot to mention the guys at Still Dragon gave me a free 100g sample of their French oak free with my last order.Having read up on these products I'm going to keep half of the hearts in a demijohn with this and put the rest into the sherry infused 10L cask . Then 4 or 5 weeks down the line I'll combine them in the cask and see how things develop

Decided to treat myself to another pro cap bubble plate section too

Aidan looking forward to hearing about your grain wash through the 3 plates btw

I also got a 100g sample of the French Oak and put one piece, weighing 9.25g, into 800ml of 65% ABV nuked to 65oC, and the result, after just 7 days is pretty amazing. I'm out and about at the moment but I'll post a pic later but take my word for it you need very little of that French Oak per litre to produce a really good result.

AM

As promised...



I know I've said it before but it really is a pity you can't taste it too.

Pretty good result I'd say

AM

Just a quick one AM

I've got 100g of French oak no4
Is it possible to get anything whisky like using cuts from a sugar wash?

I was wondering if I added a little heads, tails to some hearts, tasting as I go along and put it on oak how it would turn out?

Have you ever tried it with sugar wash distillate?

I have and it's pretty good too. It does lack the depth of character of grain spirit but very drinkable just the same as most of the flavour comes from the Oak. I've fooled a few "whisky" diehards with it.

AM

Now Aidan... you know that nukin crap dosent work...


It's good to see you enjoying the new setup...

have fun stay safe

FS


KEEP ON NUKIN !!!

The spirit in the bottle looks and smells amazing for such a short turnaround but the taste is still a little sharp and also has a note of leather (I know, sounds weird ) This should all be mellowed out with being left to age a little for a few months.

It has to be remembered that actual whisky making, using Grain Spirit, Oak and Time, doesn't have an instant option. It actually does take some time and nuking is the only shortcut I know of that actually works to shorten the process to a few months rather than years.

AM

Really....

Yup!

AM

I'm reading this thread with a dram of Bunnahabhain "CEOBANACH" in hand.
When I can produce a drink like this,with or without the micro-wave,I will have arrived.Bigtime.
In the meanwhile,I'll just keep playing.
If I haven't said it yet,Happy New Year to all.

Robert.

Well done.mate, you've discovered the benefit of plates!. Like you say ABV isn't the key, it's the final.product.