Search found 272 matches

by zouthernborne
Wed Mar 29, 2017 1:54 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Apple Brandy/Rum
Replies: 8
Views: 1639

Re: Apple Brandy/Rum

Just found this bottle in my shed when I was moving some stuff around. Had a baby, so I had to pack up my little hobby for what my wife called "safety and legal reasons". Lol. Doesn't look like I'll be cracking open the big box out there full of copper and stainless anytime soon, but I fig...
by zouthernborne
Thu Jun 20, 2013 2:40 pm
Forum: Rum
Topic: Rum Talk......
Replies: 563
Views: 113995

Re: Rum Talk......

I actually spent most of my day reading all the interesting rum threads in preperation for my first attempt." I spent nearly six months reading and watching videos before I even put together my still or started a wash. And after that I still asked a bunch of questions that seem stupid now when...
by zouthernborne
Thu Jun 20, 2013 2:20 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Nuclear Whiskey / Nuclear Rum and Spirits Rapid Ageing
Replies: 1076
Views: 237980

Re: Nuclear Whiskey / Nuclear Rum and Spirits Rapid Ageing

I used staves that I cut into domino-sized chunks and then I tried with my usual 3"x.5"x.5" stave pieces. I noticed no noticeable change in harshness, and only a slight change in color. However, color isn't a big deal for me compared to taste, so I have to say that according to my res...
by zouthernborne
Thu Jun 20, 2013 8:22 am
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Nuclear Whiskey / Nuclear Rum and Spirits Rapid Ageing
Replies: 1076
Views: 237980

Re: Nuclear Whiskey / Nuclear Rum and Spirits Rapid Ageing

After four cycles (following the instructions to the letter) I'm not seeing a difference in much more than smell. The taste continues to be as harsh as freshly distilled rum, while the smell has a more noticealble vanilla and oak note. I'm going to do one more cycle and let it cool for today, then I...
by zouthernborne
Wed Jun 19, 2013 4:35 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Nuclear Whiskey / Nuclear Rum and Spirits Rapid Ageing
Replies: 1076
Views: 237980

Re: Nuclear Whiskey / Nuclear Rum and Spirits Rapid Ageing

I'll let you know tomorrow. She's still cooling down from the first run. But believe me, I will report back. Whether it's good or bad, I'm not going to BS about it. I will be fair about what I see, smell, and taste. Everything I said before is just personal opinion, not to be taken as a broad spectr...
by zouthernborne
Wed Jun 19, 2013 4:32 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Apple Brandy/Rum
Replies: 8
Views: 1639

Re: Apple Brandy/Rum

I decided to go with the "less oak for longer" method on this one, hoping to preserve some apple flavor in the end. I don't want the oak to be the driving flavor force. So I ended up with just over a half gallon of the best parts of the run at 65% abv, and I put it on 3"x .5" x ....
by zouthernborne
Wed Jun 19, 2013 4:24 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Nuclear Whiskey / Nuclear Rum and Spirits Rapid Ageing
Replies: 1076
Views: 237980

Re: Nuclear Whiskey / Nuclear Rum and Spirits Rapid Ageing

I have just under a quart of rum hearts (which usually end up left white), that I decided to sacrifice to this experiment. I don't mean to sound like a downer, FS, but I can't think of this as anything more than an experiment and had to force myself to hit that "start" button, and still ca...
by zouthernborne
Thu Jun 13, 2013 4:21 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Looking for Advice on Rum Flavoring
Replies: 11
Views: 2556

Re: Looking for Advice on Rum Flavoring

While I'm not big on flavoring my rums, I do agree with DAD300 on using homemade essences or fresh ingredients. Cloves, cinnamon, zests... these can be bought for cheap if you do some looking around. Those store-bought essences are complete crap. Char an apricot and drop that in for a few weeks then...
by zouthernborne
Thu Jun 13, 2013 3:59 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Apple Brandy/Rum
Replies: 8
Views: 1639

Re: Apple Brandy/Rum

Randy. Awesome name for it. It has been airing out for roughly 24 hours now and I'm getting the usual carmel notes that I get from my rums, but with with an apple brandy note just underneath it. The molasses has certainly taken over, at least on the nose. I'm going to keep 350ml white, as I do with ...
by zouthernborne
Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:35 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Apple Brandy/Rum
Replies: 8
Views: 1639

Apple Brandy/Rum

I often get the urge to start new mashes about two days before I get paid. And on my salary, that means I've already been broke for at least a week. So I end up scrounging for stuff to make something new. Two weeks ago I had a gallon of cooking molasses but nothing to add in. I considered for a whil...
by zouthernborne
Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:32 am
Forum: Rum
Topic: Rum Talk......
Replies: 563
Views: 113995

Re: Rum Talk......

I think your best bet is to strip your rum then macerate your flavorings in the low wines before the spirit distillation, much like the process for absinthe or gin (unless you're only using a basket rather than a maceration). Either way, your best bet at getting the flavors is either a soak before t...
by zouthernborne
Tue Apr 09, 2013 9:23 pm
Forum: Flavoring and Aging
Topic: Store Bought Flavoring- Whats hot & whats not
Replies: 149
Views: 161838

Re: Store Bought Flavoring- Whats hot & whats not

I know it's been a few months since anyone posted on this thread, but I wanted to chime in and say that the SS Aussie Gold is pretty good if you're trying to leave your aging stock alone. It says to use one bottle for three 750ml bottles of neutral, but I split it into four bottles with fantastic re...
by zouthernborne
Tue Apr 09, 2013 6:26 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: What'd ya'll make today?
Replies: 6949
Views: 738845

Re: What'd ya'll make today?

Just finished up a Panela stripping run, followed up by a spirit run. Damn near took all day, but I'm happy with the results! :esmile: Spirit Run.jpg Bogey, I like your organization there. My area is never that organized. The only way I can tell my jars apart is the number written on the top of eac...
by zouthernborne
Tue Apr 09, 2013 6:22 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: What'd ya'll make today?
Replies: 6949
Views: 738845

Re: What'd ya'll make today?

You gotta either drink it around some women or start cross dressing, partner. :lolno:
by zouthernborne
Tue Apr 09, 2013 6:21 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: sugar wash with mollasses
Replies: 11
Views: 2377

Re: sugar wash with mollasses

I seem to remember reading that thread a year or more ago. And it seems that it's a toss up. Some people clear it, some people don't. Either way, the stiller has no complaints about his brew unless the wash was crap to begin with. If you think you taste a difference in your likker after clearing it,...
by zouthernborne
Tue Apr 09, 2013 5:57 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Banana Rum recipe
Replies: 32
Views: 20981

Re: Banana Rum recipe

Completely forgot to add that it was a five-gallon batch. Ah.. well... I was thinking of using panela with this as well. I planned on ordering enough next week to do a couple 20 liter washes, so maybe I should save my other bananas until then. I've been running molasses for a couple years, but panel...
by zouthernborne
Tue Apr 09, 2013 5:54 pm
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: First Ever Mash.....attempt
Replies: 37
Views: 4483

Re: First Ever Mash.....attempt

I would suggest you buy a couple dozen 4-ounce jars from your local big box store and start collecting in those, cover them with coffee filters and number them as you go, and let them air out for a couple of days. I just started saving all the peanut butter jars we accumulate in my house up until I ...
by zouthernborne
Tue Apr 09, 2013 11:30 am
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: What'd ya'll make today?
Replies: 6949
Views: 738845

Re: What'd ya'll make today?

Stripping some banana rum right now. Got some apple rum almost ready for the still. Got a batch of All-Bran that's a few days away from completion. Also got a few single-gallon experimentals going... I'm staying busy. :clap:
by zouthernborne
Tue Apr 09, 2013 11:19 am
Forum: Novice Distillers
Topic: First Ever Mash.....attempt
Replies: 37
Views: 4483

Re: First Ever Mash.....attempt

A bit OCD on the binder clips, eh...??? :wtf: I only use 8 on both my 2 and 4 gallon stock pots and never worry about the flour paste failing me... :ewink: I'm assuming there must be some flour paste under all of those binder clips... :eh: +1 I only have six holding down the lid on my 2.5 gallon po...
by zouthernborne
Tue Apr 09, 2013 11:00 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Banana Rum recipe
Replies: 32
Views: 20981

Re: Banana Rum recipe

I kind of stuck my batch under the kitchen sink and forgot about it until this morning. I did one gallon of dunder, one gallon of molasses, and fourteen bananas. I waited until the bananas were nearly completely black this time so that the majority of the starches would be converted already. Doing t...
by zouthernborne
Mon Apr 01, 2013 4:34 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: sugar wash with mollasses
Replies: 11
Views: 2377

Re: sugar wash with mollasses

I don't have a problem with a bite or hangover issues either, but that is due to the way I make my cuts. And if it works for you and you taste a difference, then by all means let it all settle out. I'm just saying that when it comes to rum in particular, I have never had an issue with a taste differ...
by zouthernborne
Mon Apr 01, 2013 4:26 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Banana Rum recipe
Replies: 32
Views: 20981

Re: Banana Rum recipe

I've soaked coconut in rum before. Nearly impossible to get all the fat solids out afterward. However, and it may feel like cheating but I don't care, I have used coconut extract to flavor rum for myself and others with great results. You can use the imitation stuff, and it does taste good, but I wo...
by zouthernborne
Mon Apr 01, 2013 4:20 pm
Forum: Rum
Topic: Rum Talk......
Replies: 563
Views: 113995

Re: Rum Talk......

I couldn't agree more, pun and all!
by zouthernborne
Mon Apr 01, 2013 4:19 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: What'd ya'll make today?
Replies: 6949
Views: 738845

Re: What'd ya'll make today?

Realized last night that I was running low on my whitedog drinking stock. Raided my kitchen cabinets and found 1.5 lbs of turbinado sugar. I dumped that into a one gallon jug and threw in three bananas for extra flavor. Pitched a tablespoon of baker's yeast, and am right now watching the cap bubble,...
by zouthernborne
Sun Mar 31, 2013 10:31 pm
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Raspberry Nutrigrain
Replies: 4
Views: 814

Re: Raspberry Nutrigrain

Decided to take a sip of it tonight before bed. There's a good amount of wheat carryover that I think is going to benefit greatly from the oaking, given enough time. I smell something sweet, but it's not raspberry. I can't quite place it. Either way, it didn't cost much to make, and if it turns out ...
by zouthernborne
Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:00 pm
Forum: Mashing and Fermenting
Topic: What'd ya'll make today?
Replies: 6949
Views: 738845

Re: What'd ya'll make today?

Monitoring two gallons of rum, and just pitched some yeast in my latest batch of All Bran. Now back to working on the boat. :ebiggrin:
by zouthernborne
Sun Mar 31, 2013 6:55 pm
Forum: Rum
Topic: Rum Talk......
Replies: 563
Views: 113995

Re: Rum Talk......

Exactly. It's always a nice situation when the cheaper stuff works better and gives the best results. In the end it comes down to what you prefer in your likker. But I will always prefer bakers yeast in my rum.
by zouthernborne
Wed Mar 27, 2013 11:26 am
Forum: Recipe Development
Topic: Banana Rum recipe
Replies: 32
Views: 20981

Re: Banana Rum recipe

So has this been run yet? I decided to knock up a batch using fresh dunder and a few very, very ripe bananas. I would love to know how yours came out as I wait for mine to finish fermenting.
by zouthernborne
Wed Mar 27, 2013 11:22 am
Forum: Rum
Topic: Rum Talk......
Replies: 563
Views: 113995

Re: Rum Talk......

Quick suggestion to guys using baking yeast... try lalvin d47. I use D47 in my meads and tried it in rum once. D47 is great for mead because it has very little flavor if used properly and you get all of the honey goodness in your final product. It's also finicky at times, I've had washes that didn'...
by zouthernborne
Wed Mar 27, 2013 11:03 am
Forum: Sugar
Topic: sugar wash with mollasses
Replies: 11
Views: 2377

Re: sugar wash with mollasses

That's the thing, I have tested it. I've let it sit for a month after fermentation is over. I've even cold-crashed just to make sure everything settled out. I still found no difference in the final product. I do my strip after my SG readings have stopped dropping and there's a good lee bed in the bo...