JD+H

[Maker]

Really new to this and probably asking a silly question but I have been sipping Jack Daniels Honey recently and wonder when my equipment is working well and I have a recipe is this type of product achievable or something just as quaffable, I'm not suggesting this is the best drink but it tickles my fancy.
I guess the real point to my question is does such an expesive drink that is priced this way due to a costly process hold it's own or it is all smoke and mirrors?

[Mash]

Absolutely. On of my favourites.

I do a kale based neutral and then nuke with JD bbq chips. Add honey to taste.

Search the word 'nuke' for more...

[gaza the instructor]

Oh yes Mash, what the microwave was
invented for.

[Phantom]

{snip}I guess the real point to my question is does such an expesive drink that is priced this way due to a costly process hold it's own or it is all smoke and mirrors?

Expensive ? Yes. To make ? No, probably not......

say you make neutral in the most inefficient way, use an essence, and the most expensive manuka you can find, it should still be cheaper.

Most of the difference would be both taxation and brand excess.

Sure, many might consider it a bit of a tarts drink, but that's an irrelevance (we have different preferences when it comes to sweetness). Think on the brand, then think on the taste and it's different taste when compared to the original whiskey. It's aimed at a different market. Plus despite the JD branding, it's in the liqueur taxation bracket not the distilled spirits one (which can be a big difference in some places).

It shouldn't be hard to make a good approximation of this so you don't just empty your bank to their benefit. Sure, a little experimentation etc, but I'd do that and tolerate the slight difference because it would be so much cheaper.........

[Curmudgeon]

The still spirits top shelf honey bourbon essence is about £4 and is supposed to be for 3 bottles ie 2.25 litres but I found it too strong in taste at that level so I use it with a little honey or reduced sugar than suggested and stretch it to make 4 or 5 bottles.

It's not quite as good as Jack Daniels honey but is better than Jim Beam honey in my opinion. The scotch heather is good too.

Call it £1 a bottle for neutral and another £1 for the essence and you're not far away from what is £15+ from the supermarket.

[gaza the instructor]

Have tried the S.S.Honey Mr C and you are right
on the money, Its very good when adjusted to
your own taste buds.

[Mash]

Whats the The scotch heather meant to clone ?

[Phantom]

Whats the The scotch heather meant to clone ?

Drambuie, I believe.......

[Easydrinker]

When I use the few essences that I cannot be arsed to try and replicate, I use a little less essence, and sugar.
It works for me.

Robert.

[Maker]

Mash- I have ordered some JD chips, a bit more expensive than in your post but just over a tenner for 900g, I will look in to kale, my first batch of sugar wash finishes tomorrow or so it says on the packet 14% in 2 days..ding dong!

Phantom- I dont normaly go for anything with sweetness or silly flavours, I like my booze as it was intended but this honey brew is quite something, even if it is a tarts drink! I am very interested to see how a home brewed shine with a bit of tinkering can sit in the same ball park as a so called premium product.

Curmudgeon- I'll pick up some of this essence, so cheap it's worth a go, I can see i'm going to run out of neutral before I can try a few things..

Easydrinker- yes I can see this, you can always add a little more if need be.

[Curmudgeon]

I can't comment on the other brands, but as Robert and others imply, with the still spirits top shelf ones, using the recommended amount turns out a little artificial (think poundshop version of your favourite childhood sweets) although nuking or natural aging definitely help.

I did have very good success with oak chips and asda mixed spices etc in making my own spiced rum, but am a terrible record keeper and more terrible yet for sampling my wares and adjusting them when not sober, so essences, rather like cooking sauces are better for me than recipes.

Same with homebrew and cooking. I admire the all grain brewers and the chefs, but beer and wine kits suit me better, and I'll always make a stew or casserole instead of cooking "properly"

Edit : 14% in 2 days implies the infamous turbo wash. We say this all the time, but run it through your still at least twice, let it air, make cuts and don't be put off if it's not great.

[Maker]

It sure is turbo wash, I realise now this was a mistake but as a first go I'll just amble on and see what happens, it's started to slow down a bit and gone from a froth to bubbles, also the temperature has dropped from 25.7 down to 23 so I guess we are nearing completion, it smells just like 'Frosty Jack' cider...you know the cheap copy of White lightning.
If this does yield 14% and I have 5 gallons how many litres should I expect to collect on the first run, I realise 14% of 5 gallons = 3.178L but I'll be collecting an amount of water aswell I guess and leaving some alcohol unclaimed, do I need to buy a refractometre or is there another way?

[Easydrinker]

My maths tells me that you will be collecting 317.8 units of alcohol, should the brewing fairy be on your side.
You won't, you never do.
Some is lost, some remains in the boiler.
At a guess, you may walk away with 10 litres at around 30%, if the brewing fairy is kind.
The distilling fairy is even harsher!
You do need something to measure alcohol content, refractometer, or my own choice, spirit hydrometer.
I'm assuming that you already have a brew hydrometer (totally different beast)?
If not, get yourself on the bay and buy yourself an xmas present.

Robert.

[Maker]

I guess we will wait and see how the fairies feel about my brew...
I've bought a spirit hydrometer, should be here in a couple of days, I quite fancied the refractometer but from China it will be 3 weeks...

[Maker]

Done.

I am shocked how close to 'the real deal' this essence is, I used a little less and only 50g of sugar and it's pretty good, it's certainly close enough for me.
I have filled an old Honey Jack bottle and poured a tipple in to my best glass,very nice!

I have the wood chips so thats the next thing to do, can't wait!