StillSmart

You don't need to make cuts when doing the gin run. The first little bit might have too much of the citrus oils in it (personally, I like it), and sometime after it drops below 70% on the output, I find that it gets too floral an earthy. But I also use orris root, angelica, myrrh gum, and other things so you may not get that flavour.

Ive noticed that my gin flavour dissipates if the spirit is stored for a week or so. its still there but much fainter.

I got talking to a customer of mine who just happens to be a distillery inspector (he's ok though) and he said that I dont have a 'fixer' ingredient in my botanicals.

He said a bit of cassia bark would do, Orris root would be better as its not as pungent as the cinnamon flavour in cassia bark, but the best ingredient to add would be a few 'seeds of paradise'. He said these would add a little to the flavour but is mainly used in commercial gin to 'fix' the flavour in the spirit and I could use this instead of the black peppercorn. Any one tried this ?

I've ordered 50g from ebay for a cost of £4.50. If I only need a few seeds it should last a while.

Thanks. Muchly - I though it was me - I have gins changing flavour (fading).

What even more exciting is I did one with GoP ...so I will have to go compare.

PS what a shitty job that must be "Gin inspector"

PPS GOP is v good in beer.

I use some or all of orris root, angelica, and GoP.

Do your flavours last Chill?

@Mashy He's quite handy for advice. When I first started he had a sample of my spirit run analysed for me and told me it was cleaner than many shop brand spirits!

Define last. I rarely have a bottle for more than three weeks. The flavours last that long.

I was thinking 3 maybe 6 months.

Same here

Sorry, I am too thirsty to allow it to sit that long!

I read in several places that Orris Root is used to fix the flavour so that it will last. Of course if you are knocking the bottle off within the week that's not your problem.

I took the thirsty mans option and boiled the botanicals ( minus most of the peel) after 24 hours mascerating.

Cuts exactly as per Odins instructions worked out just fine for me. I could smell the tails right where he said they'd be. Like others have said here the citrus was pronounced. ( pronounced Cit-rus) That's not to my liking so next time I'll give the botanicals the two week soak.

Left it to rest for 5 weeks and you could smell and taste the flavours mellowing as the weeks passed.

I have never happily sipped neat gin before so just that makes it a winner.

I honestly thought I didn't like gin. Then I made my own. Apparently, I do like gin.

Most of the citrus comes over in the first distillate. You can just collect that and set aside if you want a less CITRUS! gin.