Still Smarter

Hi guys! Im interested in doing an apple pie brandy/whiskey. Im going to do a corn mash. When it comes down to running it, i was going to use 2 thump kegs. One will have some of the wash with cut up apples, the other some of the wash with cinnamon sticks. My second idea would be to distill a hard cider instead of corn and do essentially the same process. Any thoughts of experiences?

I've made plenty of Applejack, but I freeze stripped it. Made for good Christmas gifts.

Bill

billythekid wrote: Thu May 09, 2019 6:58 pm I've made plenty of Applejack, but I freeze stripped it. Made for good Christmas gifts.

Bill

So how does that work? I understand you strain the ice off, but how many times do you strip it? That, and does it keep all the bad methanol in there?

I went through 4 cycles, melting off about half each time. As I understand it, there is methanol in everything we make. It's just a matter of concentration. I made mine using sugar, so it shouldn't have as much.

Bill

forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=101

I don't think the search bar is working

There may indeed be Methanol in all that we distill.
How much is very difficult to quantify.
My understanding is that it usually, mostly, results from seeds/pips.
Freeze stripping will not capture Methanol, it has a higher freezing point than Ethanol.
The Methanol scare is often overthought and over worried about.

Robert.

billythekid wrote: Thu May 09, 2019 9:32 pm I went through 4 cycles, melting off about half each time. As I understand it, there is methanol in everything we make. It's just a matter of concentration. I made mine using sugar, so it shouldn't have as much.

Bill

So after running your 4 cycles, what did you end up with for a proof? Definitely want to try this at some point.

So i want to try this another way though. Like a few already know, i have a 2 gallon pot still. With that, i have configured 2 seperate half gallon mason jars as thump kegs. I want to have one filled with the wash and apple slices, and the other with cinnamon sticks and maybe vanilla pod. Just want to know if everyone will think it will come out good?

Sounds a bit over-engineered In my world. I would get a bleddy good neutral and then add flavour separately. But everyone has their own way.

There is a super apple pie recipe brandies somewhere - why not try that.

Im just trying to try something new. Maybe if i get a stronger spirit with the flavor notes, then infusing with cider, juice, and cinnamon sticks after will make it that much better? Then i will have apple pie and leftover apple pie brandy that i can either keep clear or oak it

I don't have experience with your proposed method, but it sounds like it will produce something decent. Not sure if this will work for you, but perhaps think about using cinnamon flavored applesauce. I'm thinking it would be much easier to measure for repeatable results?

Bill