Everyone want a bottle or 3.

[WelshGin]

I have noticed during December everyone want a bottle.

Ooh, can you make me? Oh, I would like to try. Do you make? Etc etc.

Having said yes a few times, I standardised my request, yes if you get me the sugar, just 6kilos from Aldi it will cost you £6.50.

My wife then bought a list home of 'wants' from her lady friends at the charity and tea shop.

I thought I best make a list as 2 friends each wanted 3 bottles each. The commonest requirement Dark Jamaican Rum and 2 requests for Rye Whisky (the SS top shelf - tastes like Canadian Club whisky). Normal whisky, Gin, white rum, vodka, cherry vodka etc also in there.

With the app 10 bottles I want to give as presents, Fresh bot and fruit Gin, 34 bottles total.

34 bottles total!

I may not need sugar for a time! Supplying that lot will use about a 1/3 of my spirit stock so I best put another wash on.

This hobby does save a lot of money at Christmas time, also saves on wasting time shopping for rubbish that others may 'gift on'.

Do not trouble yourself thinking of a present for me, ....just tonic please. Ta.

[phantom]

You weren't the only one with this issue. Just that it's a PITA sometimes, making enough neutral for everyone who wants something.

You end up getting a bigger still and more fermenter buckets (I use a milk can boiler (50 litres) with a basic column/condenser to do larger stripping, then I can re-run it, < 40% of course in my T500, for 94/95% neutral, that just needs letting down to about 40% (always over, never below) for carbon filtering and flavouring).

Glad crimbo is over now, so I can get back to normal levels/consumption (well OK, that'll be after Wednesday).

p.s. and yes, still planning to build a fancy reflux column/head for the milk can boiler, but just can't make my indecisive mind up as to which style or design might be best........

[WelshGin]

Mmm, I have not considered altering/increasing my production capacity, just increased my nuetral spirit store. I usually store 35/45 x 750ml bottles at 80%+Abv. I increased it to a max of 55 bottles by 20th December. I have 2-3 bottles still to make and my spirit stock is down to 35 bottles. Which makes sense after giving/trading 40+ bottles away. So now back to fermenting 1 or 2 x 25litre washes per month, no great effort in that.

[WelshGin]

Now I have finished. All bottles made, only 1 bottle to deliver, which is a traditional present to a buddy in Broseley a 'overproofed Navy rum' for New Years Eve.

44 bottles total, many as gifts. I have accumulated 14 bottles of red wine, 2 port, 42 kilos of sugar, 14 bottles of tonic and a dozen lemons (with a future expectation of limoncello). And £80 in my distilling funds jar.

Also saving our Christmas spend on drivel that may have been 'Gifted on', supplying spirits that I know have been/will be consumed and appreciated.

So a very good result. My wife commented Christmas spend down and so many texting/Whatsapping saying thank you.

What a great hobby.

[phantom]

Fair point WG. I increased capacity because I didn't have the time for multiple smaller runs (AS takes 2.5 hours for 4 litres, while my T5 will do a whole 25 litre batch in about 4) but each to their own according to our individual circs........

[Mash]

Having used both, I really think the airstill is quicker. Cos you don't have to watch it.

2 airstills - twice as much stuff not to watch

[WelshGin]

How very Dare You suggest you don't have to watch or be attentive to the distillation!!! Shock Horror!

I have been severely chastised for that thoughtless, lazy attitude in the past!

Yes, well done, I agree. You may remember I suggested using a plug in timer.......