Making Single Malt at Home / A Video Guide

[Capt-Cudellez]

SK - I do enjoy a dram on a special occasion, but its not my drink of choice for kicking back. I've been doing rum for about 18 months, and I'm finding that that is just coming good now, I think it is mainly due to reusing the heads and tails from every rum run I've every done, and adding them to the next spirit run.

With rum I have also been ageing dunder for adding to the ferment, which I'm sure adds a level of complexity. I know this technique is not used in Scotch style whisky, but curious to your thoughts on the recycling feints issue. How big a part is that to getting that complexity into the spirit, compared to say, the proper aging of the spirit.

My thoughts are even with the best recipe, stilling technique, and ageing, you can make a passable spirit from the off, but it will take many many generations before the connoisseur will be impressed, and wondering what someone with your experience in a spirit I'm not familiar with thinks of this.

CC

[Jimmy]

But malt whisky poured over ice..... its sacrilege man !!!

When I was a youth, my dad (who rarely drank) was given a bottle of single malt from someone at work or somesuch thing, he knew I liked a drop so he said I could have it. He was less than impressed when he came in later to discover I had drunk most of it mixed with Irn Bru. A great taste, yes, but I will probably go to some kind of purgatory filled with irate Scotsmen when I die...!

[stephenkentucky]

Jimmy ...you think you will go to purgatory...imagine how I felt when i got back to my computer to find that I had spent the whole of the video mispronouncing eye lay, ....
is lay.
I dont know what happened.I know I was very nervous about doing the video...but I knew that was the wrong pronunciation ...I just had a brain malfunction...I was really worried that the Scots and especially the Hebridean's would crucify me... But to my amazement I have received about a dozen messages from Scots and all of them have said it was cool. thank goodness....I still think there is a special seat for me in whisky hell for that faux-pas.

[stephenkentucky]

I have finally released the second Episode of the Single Malt video...it can be found here
I hope it is informative , especially for the newer distillers amongst us...I remember well my early days when it all seemed so mysterious...sometimes seeing it done...is worth a thousand words...especially when it is new to you....you will find the video here.
http://youtu.be/DY15-dG_hAY
thanks again for your kind feedback...and if you have any ideas for future episodes please let me know.
Stephen

[optic]

Well done Sir a nice example of hardcore distillers porn

[stephenkentucky]

Thank you Optic.

[Frank]

@SK mate, the second video is as interesting, informative and inspirational as the first, and that is NO easy feat. Well done to you and thanks for the opportunity to learn from your efforts.

[Almanac]

Bravo! Bravo! Author! Author!

Brilliantly done, a great reference to have available - even if your Dash 2 has made me bright green with envy Grrrrrr!

Lovin' it SK, I'm lovin' it!

AM

[stephenkentucky]

Thank you so much...I am blessed that I can combine the two things I really love making videos and distilling ...your praise is especially appreciated as I have enormous respect for the community here..at the historic birthplace of whisky...I know there will always be an argument as to where whisky started its life but the British isles...are the spiritual home...

[Admiral Toad]

Wonderful video

But

Have you ever been to Islay

Truly I dont think it's that hard
X

[stephenkentucky]

No Admiral ..I have never had the pleasure of visiting Islay...unfortunately ...but it would be something I would dearly love to do...
regards
Doc

[Admiral Toad]

It's a truly lovely place like the uk was decades ago
People wave when you pass in the car, the kids do as they're told and the people are spot on

Oh and the whisky is quite nice too ! it's the only place where you see most expressions of Ardberg,Laphroig etc on OPTICS behind the bar !

[Electrif]

Thank you for a very entertaining and informative part II. I'm sure you've created a lot of envious people (me included).

Looking forward to Single Malt III

'The return of the Quaich'

[billmcc]

SK first of all brilliant videos mate.Thanks
How about a video guide for uncle jesse's simple sour mash, for me it was an easy introduction into making whiskey/whisky and i am sure that others could learn from one of your guides
I'm not sure how popular the recipe is on this forum but i know for sure it distills well in the little air still

Anyway just a thought thanks for your time and effort
Cheers billmcc

[Almanac]

Hey Doc!
Real Whiskey was first made in Ireland where the World's only real whiskey is still made to this day.

The Sasanachs lifted the idea when they were here, watered it down
and called it Scotch

Na-Na-Nana-Na!

AM