Way too much info online...

[VARIVERRAT]

does anybody still test the shine by burning it? does anybody still taste the bitterness/sweetness of the mash? does anybody use a simple stock pot with a copper line straight to a coil outta the lid with some paste holdin the thing together? everywhere i look online theres hydrometers, alcometers, PH stablizers, clearing agents with names like, "Liquor Quik™ Glycerine Finishing Formula"? and high tech stuff that i cant even spell off the top of my head! dont get me wrong im sure all these things are great for a fine tuned recipe but i want to see if theres alot of people that still do it the old time tested ways? such as pot stills instead of raptor double banger reflux shotgun condenser stills? my first sucessful run, was 10lbs of peaches and 5lbs of sugar and some walmart bakers yeast. i have taste tested the pure alcohol through the giant colume and none of them have the natural flavor or work my grandpa put into his back in west va.