StillSmart

Hi, guys thought i would throw this one out for advise, My daughter asked me to make her some vanilla vodka for a party she's having. I tried her with s/s v/v essence, she says it tastes too caramel for her.So i was wondering if i did a maceration not unlike odins gin, maybe a few split vanilla pods, i suppose the question is do scrape the seeds out or just put the split beans in neutral.

any advice would be appreciated. thanks B_D

Split beans in neutral. But NOT A LOT! Vanilla beans are strong stuff and you can't take it back out. I made that mistake.

Chuck

Thanks chill, so i take you have tried this,when you say not a lot maybe 1 bean per 2ltr,@50% then leave for a while, and take it down to 30% and airstill at lower power, dont fancy putting 2 or 3 ltrs in my boiler.

thanks again B_D

I did not re-distill. I just let it macerate for a while. It does get a slight, light brown colour. One bean per 2ltr, @50% is plenty. I'd taste it every day and get it out when you get to the level of flavour your are after.

Chuck

Thanks for that chill.I think i will run with the redistilling, might take the colour out, she's a fussy so and so,

B_D

I'd be tempted to not water it down then. I've run 50%+ through the Airstill. If you only have 2L it is not going to pop the top anyway. If you water it down, you will lose more of the already finished alcohol.

I love Vanilla, I made rhubarb & vanilla jam the other weekend, vanilla cake, vanilla icecream,
I never give a thought to vanilla vodka...

Got to give it a go..now we do use the pods, but for some things we use the bean paste...It's not cheap at 6 quid a throw for a small bottle..but I'm thinking maybe mix a little into the vodka??? and stir?? Will try later tonight as we have a dinner party to go to..

I'd be fairly certain that if you macerate a vanilla pod in finished spirit then re-distill it you will lose all the flavour. Vodka flavoured with vanilla is not like a strong, pungent macerated Gin and the gentle flavour of the vanilla is sure to be lost.

When I make Straberry Shortcake (Vodak flavoured with real Strawberries) there's no way to avoid it being pink unless you just use a colourless essence. So it will be using real vanilla

BTW are you sure you want to have the fact that you are illegally distilling spirits, in your home, become common knowledge after someone at the party finds out where the delicious Vanilla Vodka came from

The policy of 'Don't Tell and Don't Sell' includes not putting your wares on public display to any but your most trusted inner circle. For me that wouldn't include any of my daughter's friends cause if they fall out you could find yourself in it

AM

I hear you Aidan, but its not that kind of party, she's not a teenager having a wild night.It is with friends and family, for my grandsons 18th.I think she's more paranoid about my hobby than i am, so i don't think loose lips will happen, as the v/vodka is for her,i make her the raspberry one as well.

re: your advice on the vanilla losing flavour after redistilling, i think i might try and make a strong essence and add it accordingly to a nice neutral, as she brought me some lovely pods back from Mexico last weekend.

regards B_D

I had to try, I bow to your wisdom Aidan, there was hardly any flavour left from the airstill run, She can make do with brown tinted stuff or none.

Best way of learning is trying - valuable knowledge now acquired and assimilated

AM

aidanmac wrote:Best way of learning is trying - valuable knowledge now acquired and assimilated

AM

Blimey aidanmac, you sound like the Borg.

Hey you beat me too it.. I was gonna say sounds like a certain Jerry Lynn Ryan ..she was a know it all as well ....nooo offence Aidan.

He! He! Resistance is Futile

You'll get your's BD

AM

OK,Can any of you Vodka heads help with my experience of Odin's easy gin?
Bashed the Juniper and Corriander,macerated with orange peel,Smart stilled the whole,ended up with something smelling like gin,but very spicey tasting.
Even cut down with 50/50 neutral it isn't right.
I'm thinking I should have strained before distilling?
Robert.