Second distillation

by **optic** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 2:11 am

I have just done a second run for the first time,i started with 5.2ltrs @ 57%,got back 2.8ltrs @ 80%,carried on runnig the tails down to 600mls @ 46% and kept in a DJ,was planning on carrying on until it got down to 40% but ran out of time.Question is im intending doing the same in future,then when ive collected 4ltrs of tails at 40ish running this until it drops to 80%,then is it worth carrying on taking tails of this again ?,if so i suppose would not waste much.

by **HangOver** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:38 pm

yes you can just keep going n going and re distilling it adding it to your next wash or distilling it itself.

sometimes I collect the tails sometimes i just throw it in the next batch.

by **maverick50** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:37 pm

Always found redistilling a turbo wash after filtering spirit smells a little eggy, but as Hangover said you can keep going, I always run the still for a further 500ml for tails and through it back in the next time.

by **optic** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:51 am

I was supprised what the air still can do it put out a hell of a lot @ 85%,was even thinking of stopping at that,then taking the rest as tails!

by **HangOver** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:19 pm

the more you put in the more you get out

by **Pharma** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:44 pm

How are you checking your ABV as you go along?
Are you collecting 100ml at a time and using an alcomoeter, the flame test, or something else?
Thanks

by **optic** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:37 am

Hi Pharma

Iam checking the ABV evry 100mls,and also checking again when i have added that 100mls to the bulk i have already got and then calling it a day once that has dropped below 80% ABV,then collecting the rest as tails.