Kirkland HoneyShine

Grain bills and instruction for all manner of alcoholic beverages.

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Grog
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Kirkland HoneyShine

Post by Grog »

Howdy all,

Not many threads on honeyshine so i'll share what I have been doing. Running this right now...

2 5-LB jars of Kirkland Clover Honey
water to 5 gallons
5tsp DAP (added all at once when pitching yeast)
1 packet EC-1118 (rehydrated)

I warmed 2 gallons of water to 140 to help dissolve the honey and added some hot tap water to the jars to get every last bit of goodness. Added cool water to 5 gallons and stirred like hell for 10 minutes to aerate. Pitched rehydrated yeast and nutrients and put it away to ferment. I kept temps in the lower 70's because 1118 puts of some funky flavors if it gets too hot.

Started 17SEP @ 1.074SG
Finished 9OCT @ 1.001FG
9% ABV

It cleared very well, 1118 I find clears very well no matter what I use it in. Tasted a little when transferring to boiler...would have made a nice mead! Just tossed the fores and the first jar came out at 134. This stuff has a really nice smell. Going to collect it all and leave it out overnight to air out. Not sure if I want to leave it white, add a wee bit of honey or put on toasted oak...may have enough to do all three. Will update when this gets done runnin.
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still_stirrin
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Re: Kirkland HoneyShine

Post by still_stirrin »

Grog wrote:...Not many threads on honeyshine so i'll share what I have been doing. Running this right now...
--> 2 x 5-LB jars of Kirkland Clover Honey <-- What did that cost you?

Started 17SEP @ 1.074SG
Finished 9OCT @ 1.001FG
Where I live, honey is too expensive to make shine. Grains are more economical. I'm not saying I don't ferment honey...I just keep it as a mead. But if you have a good (economical) supply, then no doubt it would make a very delicate white liquor. Much more than that and it will mask the honey flavors.
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Grog
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Re: Kirkland HoneyShine

Post by Grog »

$11.79 per 5 lb jar. Very few times have I seen it that low. I need to go back and get 10 more lbs! I have only tried a few small sips and I think I will leave it white. I may take 150ML and add a drop or two of honey at a time to see if I want to scale it up but it has such a nice flavor now. Will revisit it in the morning after a good airing out.
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Desvio
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Re: Kirkland HoneyShine

Post by Desvio »

Runs about $15 on average at my store, never noticed any sales. I'll have to keep any eye out, this sounds interesting enough to try.
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Shine0n
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Re: Kirkland HoneyShine

Post by Shine0n »

Walmart where I live has 5 lb for 12$

I think I'll buy a little at the time to try and make a honey shine one day this winter.

Like fruit brandies I think I'd leave it white and mature for a year before drinking but I highly doubt that would happen with a honey shine. lol
Grog
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Re: Kirkland HoneyShine

Post by Grog »

I'll try but I doubt it will last that long. I tried a little tonight with a drop or two of honey...It lended more sweetness than flavor. I wasn't really a fan. I think a little toasted oak and more than a little time is just the ticket.
jb-texshine
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Re: Kirkland HoneyShine

Post by jb-texshine »

Try using it to replace the sugar in a uj ferment.
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Shine0n
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Re: Kirkland HoneyShine

Post by Shine0n »

jb-texshine wrote:Try using it to replace the sugar in a uj ferment.
+1, Sounds like a winner!!!
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Bigbob
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Re: Kirkland HoneyShine

Post by Bigbob »

I’ve discovered that honey takes a while(6 months or more) to fully develop. It’s really good if you can wait!
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jb-texshine
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Re: Kirkland HoneyShine

Post by jb-texshine »

Bigbob wrote:I’ve discovered that honey takes a while(6 months or more) to fully develop. It’s really good if you can wait!
Definitely worth the wait. I like to either leave clear or age on a fruit wood(finger sized). Either way I proof to 52.5% Abv after ageing 6 months min. Then drink on the rocks letting the flavor open up as the ice melts.
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