brand new t500 and copper condenser, can I make gin?

[The_blue]

Hi everyone, I'm moving on from the airstill, it was a great learning tool..

I've had a t500, copper column condenser and a botanical basket for an early birthday present.

All great for stripping but can I make gin without buying the alembic?

[Easydrinker]

Yes, you can.
You might want to strip any packing first.
Unless you only want to use it for Gin.
It will get tainted.

A better bet may be using the old Air still for the gin and the T500 for everything else?
Like producing the neutral for the Gin.
I do something similar, with my reflux still.

I am sure others will come back with other advice.

Robert.

[Robbo12]

Yes you can i do all my neutral on my t500 then do my gin in the airstill.

[gaza the instructor]

@ Blue
You sure can buddie the copperware on the T500
was made from carrying flavour thru.
I make a lot of Rum etc in mine.
Screw that basket in. It does its job and makes
a good Gin its just a little small.
But you can make a gallon at a time, that should
quench your thirst.

[The_blue]

Thanks guys, always helpful!

My first tomato wash is nearly ready, hopefully it's ready for Monday.

I don't want to keep the airstill as well if I can get away with it. I'm drowning in brewing kit

So with the column, am I best emptying it and using it like that for the gin run?

[The_blue]

Ok, I may as well stick in the same thread..

My airstill recipe was:-
Ginny №3
2 litres 40% neutral
18.5 g juniper berries.
10 g coriander seeds
20g Tangerine skin
15g grapefruit skin (potato peeled)
2g cassia
1.2g Angelica
0.12g orris root

Do I just scale this up? For the T500? Say double or triple it?

[Mash]

If you made it using a gin basket it will scale up properly (equally). Although the dimensions of the still may affect.

If you made it as an hot maceration it will need tweaking.

[Myles]

I would be tempted to keep the AS anyway. It will be usefully for small batch testing of new recipes

[gaza the instructor]

100% myles the Airstill is a very useful
piece of kit and very good at small batch
Gin.
I love my AS and will never part with it.

[Mash]

Agree with you there guys.

[The_blue]

Thanks everyone. The wash is below 1.000 now but really cloudy.

I'll wait till it clears a little before giving it a go

[gaza the instructor]

Put it somewhere cold that clears it quicker.

[The_blue]

Did ponder sticking it in the snow yesterday

[gaza the instructor]

With a name like yours thats very apt

[Easydrinker]

Unless it was as an absolute bargain, I would not replace my trusty little Air Still if it died.
However, I would miss it from my distilling tool-kit.
A learner tool, and a hoped for friend for life.

Robert.