Home Distiller

I think this outcome has shown me quite a lot so I am glad it has happened. My first whiskey came out nice, I took small jars and tasted later. I kept the mash simple, I just used a pot still, I recorded everything. This one is the opposite in nearly every way. I tried to cut on the fly, I tried add...

I'm only commenting here because I've been using plated columns for a long time. Firstly I agree with Twisted, steer well clear of any Still Spirits yeasts. A lot of their products are aimed at the home distiller who is more interested in shortcuts and and quantity over quality. Most members here d...

Just re-read your reply Twisted Brick. So you reckon some reflux can get rid of the off flavours. I take it it will be a balancing act to not lose any whiskey flavours in there?
And tips ?
I have a deflag, can go up to 4 bubble plates and / or a meter of copper prismatics.

Two errors made, both very common, but quite fixable. Clear your finished ferment. Some members' palates don't detect yeast but (like mine) yours does. Ditch the Turbo* yeast for a good ale yeast or even bakers. Avoid LHBS 'house' yeasts. This is interesting as I was under the impression that I had...

Hi All, I am looking for some help in order to 1. understand where I went wrong so I don’t do it again. 2. Understand what options I have to bring the product back from the grave. Background: This is my second whiskey (all grain) run. The first came out better than I could have imagined but lacked a...

Just wanted to say thanks to all. I ran another wash today and of course your words of wisdom nailed it! Solid 95% abv run from start to finish. I ran more power, about 2.1-2.2kw from first drops through to tails and more coolant through the deflag. Head temp above the deflag stayed constant at 75.4...

The temp sensor is above the deflag, and think it’s a NTC thermistor. Sounds like once I get the power and cooling right the temp will stabilise where ever it wants

Amazing guys! I can’t say how much the words of wisdom help clarify things. I was just reading back through my notes from the run and there is still something bothering me. So first some disclaimers, I know that temperature is not the be all … I also now understand I was not using enough power + coo...

Wow thanks for the quick replies. That is so interesting… I suppose my thoughts were still on a pot still and how running slower cleans it up but what you guys are saying makes a lot of sense for a reflux. Yes cooling management column. Ok, onto the next run, longer to balance the column, more power...

Hi All, I have just run my new reflux column for the first time last night. The column is 2”, just under 1m packed, then deflag, over and into condenser which sits on a 50l keg. I’m going to explain what happened in the hope that some more experienced members and either validate my thoughts or tell ...

Thank you both for the welcome and for the Google search tip!!

One thing you could help me with… I am trying but failing at figuring out where to put my question. So where would I put a question related to the actual running of a reflux still?

Hi All, I am from the UK and fairly new to the hobby, I have been home distilling for a year or two. My first still which I still have was a small vevor pot still which got me going. It was a gift from my father-in-law … he was unaware of the issues around it 😂. I know have modified a keg and have b...