StillSmart

Brian,

I have read both your account of cereal fermentation and production and Franks FSW account of peated barley (I think) fermentation and production.

Frank obviously aimed at a product emulating a Peated Islay Styled Malt and as such was targeting a specific end product. You were learning to drive your still and experimenting. (sweaty sock's 'n all)

Personally I'm not a fan of Peaty Whisky (sorry Frank). I am interested to know how you would describe the style of your end product.

Do you think adding a measure of DME / LME would be of any benefit to flavour.

Cheers

I am not a whiskey connoisseur, my experience with whisky is very limited indeed and in the past I have always drank blended whiskies. I have never heard of many of the whiskey’s that are mentioned on these threads let alone tasted them. My stomach does not allow me to drink strong (40%) spirits so I tend to dilute everything to 5 or 10% with Coke or some such fizzy drink, I make no apologies for that, it is the way I am and what I enjoy.

Therefore - I am not trying to emulate a particular type or style of drink, just make one that I will enjoy without too much hassle.

My first attempt at the AB&WB was “confused” by my learning curve, subsequent runs have been relatively straightforward and I have developed a taste for the drink. I do not know if I a getting better at making it or I am just getting used to it.

My current production is limited by my fermentation capacity – I have one 25 litre fermenter and want to keep it that way, otherwise I would be swamped with more booze than I would know what to do with. I strip three batches and then one big spirit run, with AB&WB all that takes 3 to 4 weeks and does not lend itself to experimentation, I do not want 8 or 9 bottles of failure.

I am currently modifying my still in the hope that I will be able to do spirit runs on each 25 litre brew and give me the opportunity of trying some more variations with a more reasonable risk factor and yes DME/LME is on my list of things to try. But there again, it is a very long list.