StillSmart

Hi,
I am a starter distiller and just bought my first equipment (Smartstill), botanicals,...
Could someone give me some advice on how and for how long botanicals are macerated mostly? and in which ABV-solution? 40ABV -96ABV?
No macerating, or for 6h, 12h, 24h, or longer?...
And second question : I have read some topics about a second and a third distilling process. Does this mean that the second distilling proces is runned with the first run and again diluted to 40ABV? and And do you need to put the original botanicals (from the first run) again in the still to run the second distillation?

Many thanks for your assistance

Have a look round the site there are lots of good threads here, this is one tht you may be interested in.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=1339

I would suggest that you start with something a little less onerous than Gin, a couple of neutral runs might not go amiss.

bigbabou wrote:Hi,
I am a starter distiller and just bought my first equipment (Smartstill),.....
.....And second question : I have read some topics about a second and a third distilling process. Does this mean that the second distilling proces is runned with the first run and again diluted to 40ABV? and ........

Many thanks for your assistance

I extracted the above from your post as something jumped out at me as I read it. that was your question about whether a second distilling is necessary

The answer to this, when you're running an Airstill/Smartstill is absolutely YES!

Go here viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1216 go to the first post in that topic and download the guide called Airstill Brief SS.pdf read and follow that and you'll get good results from your Airstill and YHB's link will get you on the right path for Gin

AM

Hi,

thanks for your tips & tricks, however I still have some questions.
I always start with a 96% neutral alcohol base, bought in a local shop. This alcohol is extremely pure (ethanol).
I start distilling this alcohol base diluted to 40 ABV, together with all my 11 gin-botanicals. I cut the first part (+- 50 ml) and also discard the tail. The heart is then 72 ABV (>70 ABV : London Dry Gin). It looks really pure and it smells and tasts very well. When starting with this extremely pure alcohol base, do you think I really need to distill twice? And, if yes, how do I need to do this when creating gin? Do I need to keep the botanicals in the smartstill for a second run? How does it work? first run without cutting, second with. but need to do the second run without botanicals?

...and second question: I read on the pdf-file that I should discard a first 50 ml + the additional head of +- 250 ml when distilling 4L. Up till now I only discarded the first +- 50 ml when distilling 2.40L. (I thought that it was already the 'head'). Do I need to discard a bigger volume? Are there any risks.

Thanks for all your support!!

If you're buying ethanol at 96%ABV that changes a lot of things.

However, because you won't know the history of the making of that ethanol you should treat is as stripped wash. That means, if using and Airstill, you should discard the first 50ml as foreshots, the next 250ml should be set aside as Heads, to be recycled later, then collect distillate in 100ml lots until satisfied all the heads are gone

If you're able to buy Ethanol at 96% ABV from a local shop can I assume you live somewhere in China? Also, do you have any idea what the ethanol is made from or made for? I have to admit, I'd be very wary of using ethanol I didn't make myself unless I knew all about how it was produced and by whom

Anyway, that's just me If you're happy with the ethanol I would say treat it as low wines and run it with cuts to get the end product you want.

AM

Hi,
thanks for you reply.
I live in Belgium and buy the ethanol in Colruyt, a big supermarket :
http://www.collectandgo.be/cogo/nl/arti ... il/18700/#
do not know exactly where it is made of, but this alcohol is made for the preparation of liquors.

However if I decide to distill it twice, how should I do it?
first running with botanicals without cutting? and secondly running again without botanicals and with cutting the heads and tails?

thanks a lot

If it's made for making liqueurs then there's no need for two runs because the first run is only to strip the ethanol from a fermented wash. In your case there's no need.

I'm not a gin man but I know a man who is. Drop a PM to Capt-Cudellez and he may be able to help. There are other Gin makers here too so you're bound to get the assist you need.

How much does the Ethanol cost you to buy, just curious/nosey

AM

Edit: The link in your post doesn't work. Probably country specific. When I click on it it just says "Service Unavailable"

OK. Thanks.

try: www.collectandgo.be
and type : alcohol puur 96%
price = 25.99 EUR / LITER
96% pure ethanol
seems to be the cheapest way to buy alcohol (cheaper than at the pharmacist) VAT and accises are included (so totally legal to create your own gin)

grtz