SCD's Crow Bourbon

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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

Post by rubberduck71 »

zapata wrote: Sat Oct 24, 2020 11:40 pm I think you just learned why very few people try to sparge bourbon mashes. I'm surprised you are complaining about the gravity rather than the sparging process.
Ha! Excellent point zapata. :)

I can definitely see why people look for sugar washes with flavor adjuncts as an easier alternative... I knew what I was getting into after reading here & watching various sparging videos.

One of my lifelong best friends is turning 50 next year, so I was thinking of using SCD's CROW bourbon & a 2L barrel as a surprise gift. :thumbup:
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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That'll be a nice gift indeed. Speaking of sugar and adjuncts, your missing gravity is probably in the grains. If you kept the them they should make a nice sugar head.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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You never answered my question, though. How long did it take the corn to go from boiling to 150? Was it wrapped up too prevent heat loss?
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote: Sun Oct 25, 2020 6:45 am You never answered my question, though. How long did it take the corn to go from boiling to 150? Was it wrapped up too prevent heat loss?
Sorry, I guess I didn't fully explain myself. It was a couple hours in my mash tun (which is basically a 10 gallon cooler). It's insulated, so it was at least 3 hrs.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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@ SCD
I have a question regarding your technique for 40 gallons of boiling water.
Assuming you're boiling in your still boiler for your 40 gallon batches.
Are you boiling 3X13 gallon bacthes of water to dump in on top of your corn and oats?

I plan to give this a go this winter in a 25 gallon batch and expect to boil two 13 gallon charges, I'll dump in the first, and mix out the dough balls, and let it rest while the next 13 gallons of water comes to a boil, then dump that in and stir again, and again, add HT Amalyse at 190, and stir a few times, while I wait for 150 to add the wheats and rye.
This will be my first experience with corn. I assume that boiling two batches of water will actually prolong the time that the corn and oats are expsoed to the high temperature.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

Post by ShineonCrazyDiamond »

That's exactly how I do it. Check out my method here

https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... =3&t=65703

Best way to cook corn large scale.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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Doh! I have read that thread.
Perfect. So I'll do half the corn and oats, and half the water in two sessions, then wait for 150.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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Looking forward to joining the CROW Club. Just started toasting oats for a batch of this. All ready been asked twice if I was baking oatmeal cookies.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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On my spirit run as I type this!!! Very excited... :clap:
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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I'll be a ways behind you, but i got 3 pounds of toasted oats.
20201110_201928.jpg
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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Pitched the yeast a few hours ago. I can't see any activity yet but I can hear it. SG was 1.060. Smells good.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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Toasting oats for this now to mash after Christmas.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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About to embark on this journey today. 25 gallon mash in a 32 gallon brute. If I timed it right, my yeast started should finish and be ready to add about the same time this hits mash temp late tomorrow night.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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Deplorable wrote: Sat Dec 26, 2020 8:13 am If I timed it right, my yeast started should finish and be ready to add about the same time this hits mash temp late tomorrow night.
I think it was 8Ball who shared that he 'jump starts' his starters with some clear off his fresh mash. If your starter seems to have run out by mash cool-down time, this might be a viable option for you.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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Twisted Brick wrote: Sat Dec 26, 2020 11:11 am
Deplorable wrote: Sat Dec 26, 2020 8:13 am If I timed it right, my yeast started should finish and be ready to add about the same time this hits mash temp late tomorrow night.
I think it was 8Ball who shared that he 'jump starts' his starters with some clear off his fresh mash. If your starter seems to have run out by mash cool-down time, this might be a viable option for you.
Thats what I did last time.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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First dough in at 1030am, 2nd dough in at 1230. Added 1 TBS of HT enzymes at 180 and wrapped it up. Stirred at the 2 hour mark and it was 178 and thin. A few minor dough balls, smaller than a quarter.
Large batch mashing with cornmeal following SCD's large batch protocol so far has been easy as hell.
I have enough corn and malts left for one more big mash, less a few pounds of Rye after this run, but SWMBO says I need to do an all feints run and make some neutral for more SPD and Peach Cobbler. So maybe while this ferments, I'll get that out of the way.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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I love when you are in the middle of something they want something I just pulled out a 3 month old wineos spirit gallon and said make yer damn flavors
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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3.5 hours after enzymes. 172.5 degrees and getting sweet.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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11.5 hours from first dough in to adding the malts. Lost 40 degrees in 11.5 hours. Should be pretty close to ideal temp for yeast tomorrow morning.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote: Sun Nov 01, 2020 3:09 pm That's exactly how I do it. Check out my method here

https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... =3&t=65703

Best way to cook corn large scale.
Thanks SCD, I'm sitting here looking at my CROW mash 24 hours after starting it following this method, and using enzymes, the temp is still 133 as I prepare to drop a wort chiller into it. The SG of a cooled 300ml sample is 1.072. Can't wait to taste the finished product after a few months on charred oak sticks.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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today's the end of day six and this mash is still bubblin' away with a thin cornmeal cap. smells good, still a little sweet but getting more sour. After the initial rise in temp from fermentation, its been a steady 67 to 68F in the insulated Brute.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon / Earthy Flavour?

Post by Clae »

Finished a batch of this a month or two ago, and it seems to taste spot on other than one thing; there is a very earthy taste that is quite... bitter in aftertaste. Almost like the smell of the forest after a heavy rain.

I don't know if this is just what toasted oats taste like early in aging, but i noticed a few things when i was mashing/preparing you might wanna know:

1. I *may* have been a little overzealous in the amount of oats, added a fair bit more than called for.
2. When toasting, the smell was quite bitter, almost like an acrid rubber, but the smell dissipated in the oats a few days later.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon / Earthy Flavour?

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Clae wrote: Sun Jan 03, 2021 2:33 pm Finished a batch of this a month or two ago, and it seems to taste spot on other than one thing; there is a very earthy taste that is quite... bitter in aftertaste. Almost like the smell of the forest after a heavy rain.

I don't know if this is just what toasted oats taste like early in aging, but i noticed a few things when i was mashing/preparing you might wanna know:

1. I *may* have been a little overzealous in the amount of oats, added a fair bit more than called for.
2. When toasting, the smell was quite bitter, almost like an acrid rubber, but the smell dissipated in the oats a few days later.
When I toasted the oats, I did them in 3 batches, because that's what spread nicely on a half sheet pan. I used Quaker Old Fashioned Oats. They smelled nice after the first batch and about halfway through the 2nd, then the smell in the house became a bit much. Not a bad smell, but not oatmeal cookies either. The smell and flavor of the finished oats was nutty with a little coffee on the nose. I wasn't likely as heavy handed on them as you, but the box contained 2 ounces more than the recipe required. I just toasted them all and put all 42 ounces in. ( I made 25 gallons, multiplying the 5 gallon mash bill by 5)
Curious if you're sipping it white, or oaked for only a few weeks?
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon / Earthy Flavour?

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Deplorable wrote: Sun Jan 03, 2021 2:49 pm When I toasted the oats, I did them in 3 batches, because that's what spread nicely on a half sheet pan. I used Quaker Old Fashioned Oats. They smelled nice after the first batch and about halfway through the 2nd, then the smell in the house became a bit much. Not a bad smell, but not oatmeal cookies either. The smell and flavor of the finished oats was nutty with a little coffee on the nose. I wasn't likely as heavy handed on them as you, but the box contained 2 ounces more than the recipe required. I just toasted them all and put all 42 ounces in. ( I made 25 gallons, multiplying the 5 gallon mash bill by 5)
Curious if you're sipping it white, or oaked for only a few weeks?

Only about 2 months or so, and the smell was definitely suspiciously like rancid fat. Now, I know the oats were fresh so I wasn't too worried at the time but the smell persisted so I did some research.

Apparently the rancid-ish smell is quite common with rolled oats, after a certain threshold of toasting (when you go past light golden). My final smell was similar to yours.

Worst case scenario, I will blend with some other, similar bourbon down the road.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon / Earthy Flavour?

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Clae wrote: Sun Jan 03, 2021 7:04 pm
Deplorable wrote: Sun Jan 03, 2021 2:49 pm When I toasted the oats, I did them in 3 batches, because that's what spread nicely on a half sheet pan. I used Quaker Old Fashioned Oats. They smelled nice after the first batch and about halfway through the 2nd, then the smell in the house became a bit much. Not a bad smell, but not oatmeal cookies either. The smell and flavor of the finished oats was nutty with a little coffee on the nose. I wasn't likely as heavy handed on them as you, but the box contained 2 ounces more than the recipe required. I just toasted them all and put all 42 ounces in. ( I made 25 gallons, multiplying the 5 gallon mash bill by 5)
Curious if you're sipping it white, or oaked for only a few weeks?

Only about 2 months or so, and the smell was definitely suspiciously like rancid fat. Now, I know the oats were fresh so I wasn't too worried at the time but the smell persisted so I did some research.

Apparently the rancid-ish smell is quite common with rolled oats, after a certain threshold of toasting (when you go past light golden). My final smell was similar to yours.

Worst case scenario, I will blend with some other, similar bourbon down the road.
Well that's discouraging. I wish I would have taken a picture of the color, but it was what looked like a nice golden brown between the medium and the dark toast in the previous picture posted in the thread.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

Post by ShineonCrazyDiamond »

I wouldn't worry about any good or bad taste from an all grain that has only been allowed 1 - 2 months to get ready for judgement :lol:

I always get earthy, grain taste, but nothing that is acrid. I've toasted all levels of oats, and they give different kicks to the whiskey. I usually toast to the nutty flavor myself, but have gone lighter.

Steady course, deplorable. You'll be fine.

Clay, do me a favor and let me know in May how it is. And the oak procedure and cut notes you have.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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This sounds promising!!! Thanks for sharing!
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 4:47 am I wouldn't worry about any good or bad taste from an all grain that has only been allowed 1 - 2 months to get ready for judgement :lol:

I always get earthy, grain taste, but nothing that is acrid. I've toasted all levels of oats, and they give different kicks to the whiskey. I usually toast to the nutty flavor myself, but have gone lighter.

Steady course, deplorable. You'll be fine.

Clay, do me a favor and let me know in May how it is. And the oak procedure and cut notes you have.
Im in no hurry to pass judgement. It's still in the fermenter. I'm hoping for time to run it next weekend. Ive got a few half gallon mason jars its destin for, and plan to oak it with .5X.5X6 inch charred new white oak at around 60 to 64% until fall, (1 stick per quart). If I like what it becomes, I'll fill a barrel. My Sweet feed is just starting to turn the corner, and should be a great mixer by spring. I got plenty to sip while I wait it out. ;-)
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 4:47 am I wouldn't worry about any good or bad taste from an all grain that has only been allowed 1 - 2 months to get ready for judgement :lol:

I always get earthy, grain taste, but nothing that is acrid. I've toasted all levels of oats, and they give different kicks to the whiskey. I usually toast to the nutty flavor myself, but have gone lighter.

Steady course, deplorable. You'll be fine.

Clay, do me a favor and let me know in May how it is. And the oak procedure and cut notes you have.

Oops, I hope I didn't come off as writing it off as a failure or something. Even 2 months after distilling and the earthy taste has been going down considerably. I was just trying to bring up a possible thing for other people if they too experience it.

I cooked my oats to roughly what you describe, between light and dark (golden) colors. You say you've tried a lot of toast levels, what did the darkest taste like in comparison?

It's good to hear earthiness is common, that's what the flavour seems to be evolving towards.
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Re: SCD's Crow Bourbon

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Question on this one: Any difference whether I use flaked corn as opposed to corn meal?
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