First runs with Sweet Feed

[dwjk]

Well, I finally got my still together to run my collecting sweet feed ferments. ( I had 6 carboys waiting)

My potstill consists of a Stevens's keg(still not sure of the size but it holds 50 liters with room) I have a 26" long, 2" column with a 24" 1/2 " liebeg condensor. I am using a 60,000 btu. propane burner. I have a parrot I built to measure the ABV. This still works awesome.

I took 250ml of foreshots from both runs and will use these for other things than drinking. I am still not sure exactly what to keep for hearts, heads and tails. The liquor started coming off at 60% ABV and I stopped at 30% on the first run and 40% on the second run. My problem is that it all tastes fine to me. It is easy to taste the difference between the first heads and middle cuts. You cal really smell and taste the difference in the first few containers. The tails ( if I was even into them, also tasted quite good) I never really noticed any wet cardboard tastes or smells. You can taste a difference as the alcohol seems to be diminishing. I have not started blending as of yet.

Any suggestions as to blending? I have about 12 liters or so collected. In small amounts in the beginning then 500ml to 1 liter collections. I am not thinking about redistilling what I have. it has a great taste, aroma and a fair bite.

How can you tell when the heads finish? I think they taste fine but have bite. Would this deminish when blended ? How far would you use the tails. I think I was just starting to see some oils or residue. The last jar on my first run is at 40% and its smooth.

This is a lot of fun, considering I have spent close to 200$ on my build, 40 dollars on sugar and 8 bucks on sweet feed.

any input would be appreciated.

[bentstick]

Dwjk, welcome, what I have noticed is heads up front burn(tongue), middle is warm when it goes down, but no stinging burn,tails smelly( sometimes) and back burn (back of tongue and throat). It takes practice, and experience of runs to get it right, I have been at it for just over a year and I have issues still on getting it down to very good cuts,sometimes run it through twice, sometimes if it is not to bad on heads throw it in a gal. jug and oak it. I built a plated column and things have been alittle easier( ok alot easier) but I worked with a pot still my first 8 months and learned to do most of my cuts from there. It does get better and better with time, I would actually share some with guys that have been doing this for awhile and not be to ashamed, leary but not ashamed untill they tasted it,my people I share it with enjoy it and have said, "they did not think I could make it taste much better"but it does get better.

Blending, start from the middle and work your way towards either side, someone posted in a thread take about 10% either way, that is about 10% into heads, and 10% tails. But everyones taste is diffrent so have fun and hope this helps.

Does any of this make sense I am tierd and ready for sleep, hope it is not just rambling!

[HolyBear]

I'm not one of the old pros here, (just old), but I do have several generations of SF under my belt so ill help ya ifn I can.
I collect in pint jars, write the number jar, % abv, and proof on each one. As I collect, I cover with a coffee filter and screw the ring down around the filter to keep bugs and dust out. Now, I think its very important to let them air out 2-3 days before making any cuts. The lighter alcs will be lost to the angels and you'll loose some abv, but were not about just making rocket fuel now are we??? Temperature seams to effect the airing, seems like the warmer it is the closer to 2 days it gets. Tha cooler your collection jars are, might take 3-4 days before you can make the distinctions between em.
Now, when it comes to making cuts, I like to have some Salteen crackers and a glass of ice water handy. Start in tha middle, work towards both ends. Put abouta 50/50 water to sample in a spoon, smell it, taste it, does it burn under yer tongue? Leave it out. Then spit it out, thers plenty of time fer drinking later...chew a cracker, rinse with water. Repeat, workin both ways from the middle. Some times Ill grab one of the head jars on purpose to remind my tongue/nose what I don't want. I do like going into the tails further than the heads, hell, that's where the flavor is... but ya gotta be kinda careful. You can overdo it. Remember, you can always add more flavor, its a b°π|√πch to get out. After you've determined the jars ya wanna keep, add em up, figure yer average abv, figure the % you want to dilute to, then figure how much water it'll take to make it happen. PUT THE WATER IN THE MIXING VESSEL FIRST, I use filtered water (Berkey). Then add the jars slowly. Make sure they are about the same temp as yer water er else your product can become cloudy.
As for your tails, mine become cloudy, but I keep running em down to about 20% or till I'm just too wore out to go any further. Keep yer heads and tails fer a good ol slow spirit run, good stuff, but remember to dilute down below 40% before stillin. Ya don't hafta worry bout filtered water at the same temp or water first fer yer spirit run dilution. Just that its down below 40% for safety.

In the end, heads and tails are up to you. Heads have headaches in em and in most everything you buy

[hendecp]

I'm not one of the old pros here, (just old), but I do have several generations of SF under my belt so ill help ya ifn I can.
I collect in pint jars, write the number jar, % abv, and proof on each one. As I collect, I cover with a coffee filter and screw the ring down around the filter to keep bugs and dust out. Now, I think its very important to let them air out 2-3 days before making any cuts. The lighter alcs will be lost to the angels and you'll loose some abv, but were not about just making rocket fuel now are we??? Temperature seams to effect the airing, seems like the warmer it is the closer to 2 days it gets. Tha cooler your collection jars are, might take 3-4 days before you can make the distinctions between em.
Now, when it comes to making cuts, I like to have some Salteen crackers and a glass of ice water handy. Start in tha middle, work towards both ends. Put abouta 50/50 water to sample in a spoon, smell it, taste it, does it burn under yer tongue? Leave it out. Then spit it out, thers plenty of time fer drinking later...chew a cracker, rinse with water. Repeat, workin both ways from the middle. Some times Ill grab one of the head jars on purpose to remind my tongue/nose what I don't want. I do like going into the tails further than the heads, hell, that's where the flavor is... but ya gotta be kinda careful. You can overdo it. Remember, you can always add more flavor, its a b°π|√πch to get out. After you've determined the jars ya wanna keep, add em up, figure yer average abv, figure the % you want to dilute to, then figure how much water it'll take to make it happen. PUT THE WATER IN THE MIXING VESSEL FIRST, I use filtered water (Berkey). Then add the jars slowly. Make sure they are about the same temp as yer water er else your product can become cloudy.
As for your tails, mine become cloudy, but I keep running em down to about 20% or till I'm just too wore out to go any further. Keep yer heads and tails fer a good ol slow spirit run, good stuff, but remember to dilute down below 40% before stillin. Ya don't hafta worry bout filtered water at the same temp or water first fer yer spirit run dilution. Just that its down below 40% for safety.

In the end, heads and tails are up to you. Heads have headaches in em and in most everything you buy

Wacabi1, this is probably One of the most useful posts I have read in a while. Thank you for your insight! I am running my first corn/sugar wash this week. Can't wait!

[HolyBear]

Hendcp, thankyou for the complement. But most of its not from my own imagination...Ivelearned most of it from here....hold on,gotta.change jars.... Anywaze, ever thing u wanted to know bout stillin is here,er in these folks's head....take Uncle Jesse.fer an example, been at it a long time,prolly fergot more than i'll.ever learn....Dunderhead,Samohan,Prairypiss,Rad,Tater,Husker,Mulekicker and that feller from....well can't of his name but from across tha pond somewherz...are all freekin geniusess ifn u ask me... It all comes from them,.i'm jess.passin it along...Thanks fer tha complement though....ooops.gotta chainge jars....

[Prairiepiss]

Nice post wacabi1.

One thing to add not a biggy. When airing out you will loose some product. How much and how fast depends on the temps and humidity. So ifin its hot and dry you gona loose some product fast. If its cold and humid you wouldn't loose as much. If the airs dry it will pull moisture out of the jars. If its humid it won't pull it out as fast.

[hendecp]

Nice post wacabi1.

One thing to add not a biggy. When airing out you will loose some product. How much and how fast depends on the temps and humidity. So ifin its hot and dry you gona loose some product fast. If its cold and humid you wouldn't loose as much. If the airs dry it will pull moisture out of the jars. If its humid it won't pull it out as fast.

So airing out in a basement (not wet and damp, but cool and dryish) is a good way to go? It is consistently between 65-70 year round. Maybe a little cooler in the winter months.

[hendecp]

Hendcp, thankyou for the complement. But most of its not from my own imagination...Ivelearned most of it from here....hold on,gotta.change jars.... Anywaze, ever thing u wanted to know bout stillin is here,er in these folks's head....take Uncle Jesse.fer an example, been at it a long time,prolly fergot more than i'll.ever learn....Dunderhead,Samohan,Prairypiss,Rad,Tater,Husker,Mulekicker and that feller from....well can't of his name but from across tha pond somewherz...are all freekin geniusess ifn u ask me... It all comes from them,.i'm jess.passin it along...Thanks fer tha complement though....ooops.gotta chainge jars....

Just passing on what you have learned in a valuable format is awesome, it condensed a lot of what I have been reading. BTW, tomorrow I am working from home and in my basement. So hopefully, I will be able to say the samething, "hold on, gotta change jars"!!