StillSmart

I found with my "Cachaca Rum" that the golden syrup takes over the flavour from the molasses in the finished spirit, in the summer, I tried some of Icefever's Rum, he make it with Golden Syrup and Kale, and I could then recognise the what the main flavour of my Cacacha Rum was.

The rum flavour from molasses must be quite subtle compared with Golden Syrup, I'm now only using Molasses and white sugar for my next batches, I will age on oak before filtering to make White Rum.

Anavrin wrote:I found with my "Cachaca Rum" that the golden syrup takes over the flavour from the molasses in the finished spirit, in the summer, I tried some of Icefever's Rum, he make it with Golden Syrup and Kale, and I could then recognise the what the main flavour of my Cacacha Rum was.

The rum flavour from molasses must be quite subtle compared with Golden Syrup, I'm now only using Molasses and white sugar for my next batches, I will age on oak before filtering to make White Rum.

Hi Anarvin,

just done a rum and was wondering if I could use this to become more like a Bacardi? It's currently not ageing or thinned down.

cheers

Anavrin wrote:I found with my "Cachaca Rum" that the golden syrup takes over the flavour from the molasses in the finished spirit, in the summer, I tried some of Icefever's Rum, he make it with Golden Syrup and Kale, and I could then recognise the what the main flavour of my Cacacha Rum was.

The rum flavour from molasses must be quite subtle compared with Golden Syrup, I'm now only using Molasses and white sugar for my next batches, I will age on oak before filtering to make White Rum.

That's really interesting. I openly admit to crap taste buds but I personally find the taste (and smell) of molasses/rum to be "stronger" than cachaca which to me is softer/sweeter.

Hi guys,

I've been reading up on these rum and cachaca threads and just wanted to ask a couple of questions.

Firstly, as a new owner of a t500 still i was wondering if I can use any of these recipes in my still. I know that a pot still would retain more flavour but would I get even a half decent cachaca or rum using my T500 or would I be wasting my time?

Secondly, what do you guys think about the alembic dome and condenser for the t500? Is it worth buying and if so would a voltage regulator be essential to control boiler temperature?

Thanks

@...eat the living. ..
My golden syrup washes do come out very much like a (Bacardi )...white rum ..I'm happy with it.

@...Rudebwoy.
Any of the recipes on here will/should be fine for the T5.
The only way to use the 500 column would be to strip all the packing out. ...and run it in pot mode.
I've just picked up a copper dome and only used last Saturday. ..I wasn't that impressed but that maybe down to the setup I had running.
Until I try it on it's own I won't really know. .as for a volt reg yes yes yes.

The copperware on t500 very good for rum.
Only wash I ever do that has some colour to it.
Need to get one of these voltage thingys.
Is the one at SD any good Icefever, not great
with this tech stuff

Icefever wrote:@...eat the living. ..
My golden syrup washes do come out very much like a (Bacardi )...white rum ..I'm happy with it.

@...Rudebwoy.
Any of the recipes on here will/should be fine for the T5.
The only way to use the 500 column would be to strip all the packing out. ...and run it in pot mode.
I've just picked up a copper dome and only used last Saturday. ..I wasn't that impressed but that maybe down to the setup I had running.
Until I try it on it's own I won't really know. .as for a volt reg yes yes yes.

@....Icefever
thanks matey for the reply. so for a bacardi style white rum just do a spirit run then don't age over oak etc?

@...Rudebwoy.
I didn't bother buying the copper dome. I just attached the copper head to the lid of the T500 and yes I use a regulator. I've done a nice whiskey and now just playing with rum.

I anticipate the still spirits pot head with standard lid on T500 or similar boiler working fine.

My limited experience with molasses washes is they have too much flavour for a bacardi style drink and golden syrup/cachaca would be closer. 1 x 900ml (ish) holland and barrett molasses per UK gallon of wash will give a fine flavoursome rum but is probably a bit much for most peoples tastes.

For 23 litres, my next wash will be 5 x golden syrup and 1 x molasses (ie swap in 1 molasses for a syrup compared to cachaca recipe) and I hope that gives the tiniest amount more mouth feel and taste without using glycerin.

Forgive my noobness... when you say copper head do you mean the alembic condensor? And does anyone know where I could get a voltage regulator in the uk? Also, do you do a stripping run when using this?

I absolutely love wray and nephews white overproof rum which is actually 63%... if I could make a rum half as good I'd be a very happy man

Rudebwoy wrote:Forgive my noobness... when you say copper head do you mean the alembic condensor? And does anyone know where I could get a voltage regulator in the uk? Also, do you do a stripping run when using this?

I absolutely love wray and nephews white overproof rum which is actually 63%... if I could make a rum half as good I'd be a very happy man

hi there,

still playing at it myself but I think I can offer some help.

Yes to the alembic condenser.

Not sure on the voltage regulator as I ordered mine from abroad and got the electrician at work to put it in a box for me, for a small alcoholic fee.

and yes I do a stripping run and collect down to about 20%.

hope this is of some use and i'm sure if I've got anything wrong one of the more experienced guy's will point us both in the right direction.

cheers

Ok guys a few points here to sort out..

@ Gaza...The SD controller will do the job, all you have to do is wire it, there's wiring dia around and the guys will help. I bought all my bits from Chinaland for half price....I have a Potentiometer that I can post to you...I had to buy 5 in a pack for £3. .

@..eattheliving....

I use just Golden syrup...I buy 3x7.5 kg and use about 2/3 rds of a tub...add 5lts hot water. Top up to about 18/20 ltrs take temp, take SG...ajust with more syrup or water to aim for 1.080..that gives around 10%.

You can run a single run...I do sometimes, you have to be careful with the cuts...but the more you try the better you'll get.

Cheers Ice If I knew what that was?
Have a good mate who is a sparks, so
if I buy one of those from DS do I
need anything else.
Whole point to this is that when using
pot still. On boil you can turn the power
down and run slower?
More control better product???

potentiometer = control knob

and yes, you got it exactly. Most electric rings or elements will cut in and out to control temperature whereas we want it always on so we reduce the power while still having the element or ring on a continuous boil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0PjcB93lko is long but explains it well

You don't have any reflux on a pot
still mate.
The water flow rate does not alter the flow
either.But dropping the power will

Sorry to call you up in public mate, but you are a little wrong on this one.
Forgive me, or not.
You can have varying amounts of reflux in a Pot Still.
Depending upon your dome, column, Lynne arm and condenser.
And the cooling rate to your condenser CAN have an effect.

I knew it all once upon a time.
And then I realised that I didn't, and in fact am still learning and making it up as I go along.
I don't expect to pass the final barrier, but the chase is good.
Cheers.

Robert.