StillSmart

I've been on holiday a fair bit this last month or so and left quite a few demi-johns of spirit run (double distilled) open to the air and unsealed while away.

I can't say they are smoother than stuff bottled and aged on oak and I'm pretty sure they aren't, but I'd love to know opinions on whether letting spirits air for longer than a day or two as I have only previously done is a good idea or if there's a point beyond which the good stuff just evaporates?

I often leave jars airing after a spirit run for a week, not being lazy, just busy with other things, on my last Rum run the Angels took about 30-40ml out of each 500ml jar.

I've also left larger amounts of spirit aging on oak in a jar with the lid slightly open for a month, they don't loose so much.

So I guess larger quantities in one container loose less than smaller quantities in many small jars, just make sure no little beasties or slugs can get in.

I guess it may be considered wasteful to leave spirits airing for a long time, you can lose a whole chunk of volume.
Personally I don't mind too much.
It is the higher volatiles that tend to evaporate, I don't miss them too much.
You do have to balance it with the effect of leaving a poured drink strength measure in a glass for 24 hours,definitely lacking!
From the higher proof stuff, the loss seems more acceptable.

Robert.

Thanks Guys.

Having supped some more I definitely think I need to air my booze more than I previously was as it is smoother (higher volatiles evaporating first/more as Robert says) and so improving on my cuts, especially since my t500 boiler and pot head with no copper dome races through a run and there is definitely smearing.

Now that my avoid the British winter season is over I'll get round to wiring the chinese wattage thingummy and start running slower too.

I think that a chinese wattage thingummy should be a part of every distillers arsenal.

Robert.

Curmudgeon wrote:Thanks Guys.

Now that my avoid the British winter season is over I'll get round to wiring the chinese wattage thingummy and start running slower too.

is that one of them fancy ebayese thingummys ?? i saw one vid on youtube as a review and i wonder whether the purchase is worth it for a novice or wait for my t500 or other high end still.. one i get used to the airstill process that is!

I think it'll be something you'll want to arm yourself with at some point of your distilling career. There are some good one's out there so worth taking time to look.

A power controller may not be a pre-requisite for all stills, but is most certainley a useful adjunct.

Robert.

I haven't used the power controller thungummie yet, but I will do so as soon as I get the workmen (and women) out of our flat. The produce from my T500 with pot head but no copper dome isn't as good as from the airstill and it's clearly just down to smearing as it is over powered. It's not awful and not a problem, just needs slowed down a bit.

Edit : in both cases double distilling and T500 is a blessing compared to multiple runs with the airstill, but cuts on the T500 (pot head, no copper dome) are pretty agricultural on full power. No biggie for me as heads go in lamps and fireplace for Boss Lady and tails get re-distilled, but no pretending it's efficient.

Good to see you learning the benefits and limitations.
It makes me smile, soley for the reason that untill you have tried it yourself, you are not going to believe anyone-else.
Good to hear that your other one has such a varied use for higher alcohols, I do myself, and bless every drop.

packapoo wrote:I think it'll be something you'll want to arm yourself with at some point of your distilling career. There are some good one's out there so worth taking time to look.

you got any links for the stove pot chinese stills can they be purchased in uk ?/ ive seen a few comments about importation limits.... that is the one with copper pipes and cooling pot on top of cooking pot temp gages etc etc that need an induction heater to control ??

Curmudgeon wrote:I haven't used the power controller thungummie yet, but I will do so as soon as I get the workmen (and women) out of our flat. The produce from my T500 with pot head but no copper dome isn't as good as from the airstill and it's clearly just down to smearing as it is over powered. It's not awful and not a problem, just needs slowed down a bit.

Edit : in both cases double distilling and T500 is a blessing compared to multiple runs with the airstill, but cuts on the T500 (pot head, no copper dome) are pretty agricultural on full power. No biggie for me as heads go in lamps and fireplace for Boss Lady and tails get re-distilled, but no pretending it's efficient.

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Completely agree, I use my old T500 boiler solely as a pot still for gin, but it needs a controller.
I also believe it to be overpowered when used in its original CM config, would be much better at 1200-1500w.

That did make me smile Capt.
Some of us keep our old Air Stills for gin production, you keep the T500 for the same reason.
I'm guessing that your life is a constant party?

Robert.

You don't need to fill it all the way up robert

tasleBHC wrote:

Curmudgeon wrote:Thanks Guys.

Now that my avoid the British winter season is over I'll get round to wiring the chinese wattage thingummy and start running slower too.

is that one of them fancy ebayese thingummys ?? i saw one vid on youtube as a review and i wonder whether the purchase is worth it for a novice or wait for my t500 or other high end still.. one i get used to the airstill process that is!

Sorry for late response. It's a http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electric-Moto ... 211ed025be type thingie, but not from that seller.