Ian Smiley's "Pure Corn Whiskey"

[MuleKicker]

Anyone else read this book? I havent read the whole thing, but I Have read enough...... First off I found this quote interesting: " Pot stills are too rudementary in design and do not afford sufficient sepperation of the mash compounds to make a good quality whiskey. For this reason, they are never recommended for the production of beverage alcohol anymore" What the hell does that mean????

I am a novice at mashing grain, and I did find his portion on mashing grain and making washes to be informational.
He talks about sour mash, and adding backset, adding all the backset from the run... Not just a gallon or 2. It will bring the ph down as low as 3 or so. This may cause a slow ferment but thats ok, as it will add alot of character. And when Doing a UJSM style wash, it is very important to get the ph down, around the 4.5-5 mark to get any conversion of the corn starches.
Interesting.

He recommends using the LM reflux still that he has instrucitons to build in the book from a water heater. Yes, the whole 12 gal electric water heater. He teaches you how to modify it and fit it with a LM collumn. There are step by step instrucitons on how to still yer corn mash with this water heater and reflux still. Being as how I have a nice LM reflux, I am going to try stilling some whiskey with it, hell if it works like he says, should be good right? He has tips on using head temps for making cuts (which I find bogus) but hell, its worth a try. He talks about making neutral, and running yer still during the hearts run for 36+ hours UNATTENDED! Now when I get into my hearts run when making neutral, yes I will walk away for a bit, and come back and check every so often. He says, set it and forget it, go to bed/work or whatever, and come back about the time you calculate yer hearts run to be over... NO F****ing way! Im gonna keep reading, and I will post other things I find, Others that have read the book, (or anyone for that matter) feel free to comment on this.

MK