Smelly spirit

[lyonacre]

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?

[HangOver]

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

[hoppinmad]

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

[lyonacre]

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

[hoppinmad]

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

[v4mpy]

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

[hoppinmad]

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

[v4mpy]

Thanks.

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

[Phantom]

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......

[hoppinmad]

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

[hoppinmad]

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

[v4mpy]

Thanks Phantom & hoppinmad

[lyonacre]

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

[hoppinmad]

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

[Bottleofrum]

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