Honey Bear Bourbon
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Honey Bear Bourbon
Honey Bear Bourbon
7lbs cracked corn ( or 5 lbs corn meal!)*
.5lb Honey malt
1 lb white wheat malt
1 lb red wheat malt
1lb pale malt
Handful of oyster shells
*optional- substitute 1 lb of rolled oats for 1 lb of corn/meal if you prefer, for more mouth feel.
Put the corn, honey malt, and oats if using, into a 6 gallon bucket. Fill bucket up with boiling water. Wrap in blankets, stirring as frequent as you like. Mine takes about 3 or 4 hours this way to naturally hit mashing temp, so I stir 2 or 3 times during this time.
The honey malt helps the corn keep thin while gelling (except corn meal. Ain't nothing thinning that out. You are literally creating polenta), and adds a front end honey flavour. It's awesome.
Anyways, when the mix hits around 153, add your two wheat malts and pale malt. Wrap up again, for a couple hours. When done, chill the wort, add oyster shells (ph autopilot), and pitch yeast. Done.
I always strip and spirit, but the single foot head to hearts transition will have you lapping it off the spout!
-SCD
7lbs cracked corn ( or 5 lbs corn meal!)*
.5lb Honey malt
1 lb white wheat malt
1 lb red wheat malt
1lb pale malt
Handful of oyster shells
*optional- substitute 1 lb of rolled oats for 1 lb of corn/meal if you prefer, for more mouth feel.
Put the corn, honey malt, and oats if using, into a 6 gallon bucket. Fill bucket up with boiling water. Wrap in blankets, stirring as frequent as you like. Mine takes about 3 or 4 hours this way to naturally hit mashing temp, so I stir 2 or 3 times during this time.
The honey malt helps the corn keep thin while gelling (except corn meal. Ain't nothing thinning that out. You are literally creating polenta), and adds a front end honey flavour. It's awesome.
Anyways, when the mix hits around 153, add your two wheat malts and pale malt. Wrap up again, for a couple hours. When done, chill the wort, add oyster shells (ph autopilot), and pitch yeast. Done.
I always strip and spirit, but the single foot head to hearts transition will have you lapping it off the spout!
-SCD
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Nice recipe.
In theory there's no difference between theory and practice. But in practice there is.
My Bourbon and Single Malt recipes. Apple Stuff and Electric Conversion
My Bourbon and Single Malt recipes. Apple Stuff and Electric Conversion
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Thanks. It of course has alot of your recipes and processes in it. And some NCHoochs. And some other legends. It's hard to really come up with explosive new protocols, without reinventing the wheel.Jimbo wrote:Nice recipe.
But I've been playing around lately with a bunch of different specialty malts, and want to post some good ones I've done lately. Plus, it will help me document for my own reference .
Still, I always try to find ways to contribute, and if they are done right, they are going to have a lot of aspects of tried and true recipes.
I'm hoping that I can help others with how to use specialty grains. There wasn't a lot to tell me how to use them, and what they would do for your mash. So I'm trying some stuff.
Thanks for all your help in getting me to all grain .
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
- MichiganCornhusker
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
I would look forward to any results you have with specialty grains.ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote: I'm hoping that I can help others with how to use specialty grains. There wasn't a lot to tell me how to use them, and what they would do for your mash.
My experience is that as little as 5% specialty can make a difference.
I think you'll enjoy your experiments, thanks for sharing.
Last edited by MichiganCornhusker on Sat Dec 05, 2015 1:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
> .5lb Honey malt
Are you using the Gambrinus Honey Malt or another ?
Are you using the Gambrinus Honey Malt or another ?
________________
I drank fifty pounds of feed-store corn
'till my clothes were ratty and torn
I drank fifty pounds of feed-store corn
'till my clothes were ratty and torn
- ShineonCrazyDiamond
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
That's the one!greggn wrote:> .5lb Honey malt
Are you using the Gambrinus Honey Malt or another ?
Yeah, in this recipe, it is 4.8%. Close enough .
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
The recipe looks great.
Corn meal does not equate to polenta. Hi temp enzymes will take care of any corn.
The only reasons I do not mill to a corn meal size is my false bottom does not like it. And I do no need that fine of a grain bed to achieve maximum extraction.
Corn meal does not equate to polenta. Hi temp enzymes will take care of any corn.
The only reasons I do not mill to a corn meal size is my false bottom does not like it. And I do no need that fine of a grain bed to achieve maximum extraction.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Bump.
I got to try this whiskey and it was a real standout for me this weekend at TruckinButch's.
This earned SCD my vote for "Stiller Who's Come Furthest Fastest". I remember ShineOn's first UJ's at Jed's less than 2 years ago, and here he has created a top notch whiskey.
I'll be trying this recipe myself as soon as I get a chance.
I got to try this whiskey and it was a real standout for me this weekend at TruckinButch's.
This earned SCD my vote for "Stiller Who's Come Furthest Fastest". I remember ShineOn's first UJ's at Jed's less than 2 years ago, and here he has created a top notch whiskey.
I'll be trying this recipe myself as soon as I get a chance.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
I too got to try this and must say I am thoroughly impressed. The flavors are balanced and smooth, I hope to try it again sometime.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
This looks real interesting. Been toying with the idea of using Red wheat malt in my whisky as per Jimbo's praises but haven't found a local source for it yet. Curious about what type of yeast you used and if you oak'd this?
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
MCH, loki, you are to kind. I was surprised any one liked this so much, because I came to the meet thinking my S3 bourbon was better than the Honey Bear. Thank you for your words.
Truth is, I use this triple malt combo for all my Bourbons. I just change out the specialty malt to get something different. And adjust the char to compliment the flavors. For instance, my S3: Smokey Toasty has the same malt based, just swapped out the Honey malt for 1 smoked and one toasted malt. And a good heavy char. My Sundae Bourbon just has one caramel malt, one chocolate malt, same base. That is going to be a great winter fireside bourbon.
Sky's the limit! Good luck!
I used good old bakers. I did oak, up until 2 weeks before the meet. 350 degrees for 2 hours, then froze them. Took them out of the freezer, then immediately put a light char on them.Shiny Coke wrote:This looks real interesting. Been toying with the idea of using Red wheat malt in my whisky as per Jimbo's praises but haven't found a local source for it yet. Curious about what type of yeast you used and if you oak'd this?
Truth is, I use this triple malt combo for all my Bourbons. I just change out the specialty malt to get something different. And adjust the char to compliment the flavors. For instance, my S3: Smokey Toasty has the same malt based, just swapped out the Honey malt for 1 smoked and one toasted malt. And a good heavy char. My Sundae Bourbon just has one caramel malt, one chocolate malt, same base. That is going to be a great winter fireside bourbon.
Sky's the limit! Good luck!
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
I don't do too much with wheat and I think that's what I liked so much about it.
I've been doing a lot of toasted/roasted stuff lately and it was nice to enjoy a nice smooth grain whiskey. And I think that honey malt brought more to the final blend than I would have thought.
I've been doing a lot of toasted/roasted stuff lately and it was nice to enjoy a nice smooth grain whiskey. And I think that honey malt brought more to the final blend than I would have thought.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Never heard of toasting and freezing before. Treading lightly not to take the thread off topic, what is the reasoning behind freezing them before charring?Shiny Coke wrote: I did oak, up until 2 weeks before the meet. 350 degrees for 2 hours, then froze them. Took them out of the freezer, then immediately put a light char on them.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
I've never heard of freezing before, but I do know that it makes a big difference if you char right after toasting, or wait for the sticks to cool down first.
Charring right after toasting will char much deeper into the oak, so I would guess that freezing would keep more toast character and keep the char from penetrating even as far as when burned at room temp.
Charring right after toasting will char much deeper into the oak, so I would guess that freezing would keep more toast character and keep the char from penetrating even as far as when burned at room temp.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
I toast and let them cool down to room temp before charring myself as I've heard the same about charring after toasting creates a char too deep into the wood. The idea of a lesser char due to frozen wood sounds like a good reason if it works. Hmmm Dunno.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Shiny Coke wrote:I toast and let them cool down to room temp before charring myself as I've heard the same about charring after toasting creates a char too deep into the wood. The idea of a lesser char due to frozen wood sounds like a good reason if it works. Hmmm Dunno.
That is precisely why I do it.
I used to toast all my wood at 420, and an alligator char. Incredible caramel flavor, but it sometimes could seem to char the wood to deep. Stuck it in the freezer to keep the core colder as to not char so deep. It works for me, although I have never done a controlled side by side with the wood then cut to look inside. May be a good experiment for someone.
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Picked up my malts today, cooking my corn tonight. Will let you know how it turns out.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Badass! It's exciting. Never had someone replicate one of my recipes before .MichiganCornhusker wrote:Picked up my malts today, cooking my corn tonight. Will let you know how it turns out.
So one thing I would say, but you are probably good enough to know this already. I would mash a little lower at 150 or 148. In my recent beer brewing adventures, I have realized there is probably no benefit in higher temps for whiskey, and only more alcohol to gain.
Although, I wonder if unfermented sugars come through...
Haha. Good luck!
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
I bet your temps dropped to near 150F anyway when you added your malt grains.ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:I would mash a little lower at 150 or 148.
I have followed your recipe to the letter.
And I will say that it took a great deal of self control to not boost the honey malt just a bit, and then add the oats on top of it all, only because I'm the kind of guy that always thinks more is better.
But I liked this whiskey the way you did it, so I'm going to do the same.
I am tweaking the protocol just a bit. I'm using SebStar high-temp liquid enzymes for the corn cook just because it makes corn life so much more pleasant.
Other than that, it will by all Honey Bear. I'll be mashing with the malts only, no liquid enzymes.
Though, honestly, the main reason I'm not going to toss a little SebAmyl in there with the mash is simply that I ran out on my last rice batch and I don't have any right now.
I hope I remember to do the freezer oak, that is an interesting theory you got going there.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Well, the next time I do it I am probably going to see what a lb does. The batch you had did not have oats.MichiganCornhusker wrote:I bet your temps dropped to near 150F anyway when you added your malt grains.ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:I would mash a little lower at 150 or 148.
I have followed your recipe to the letter.
And I will say that it took a great deal of self control to not boost the honey malt just a bit, and then add the oats on top of it all, only because I'm the kind of guy that always thinks more is better.
But I liked this whiskey the way you did it, so I'm going to do the same.
I am tweaking the protocol just a bit. I'm using SebStar high-temp liquid enzymes for the corn cook just because it makes corn life so much more pleasant.
Other than that, it will by all Honey Bear. I'll be mashing with the malts only, no liquid enzymes.
Though, honestly, the main reason I'm not going to toss a little SebAmyl in there with the mash is simply that I ran out on my last rice batch and I don't have any right now.
I hope I remember to do the freezer oak, that is an interesting theory you got going there.
And I'm proud of your self control
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Here's an Easter egg. A nice crisp summer wheat beer that compliments it well. If your a wheat fan. It's nice for craft guys and BMC drinkers.
My Honey Orange Wheat
I may be sipping on both, now, lol.
My Honey Orange Wheat
I may be sipping on both, now, lol.
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Did you ferment on grain, or off?ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:...add your two wheat malts and pale malt. Wrap up again, for a couple hours. When done, chill the wort, add oyster shells (ph autopilot), and pitch yeast.
Ground up my malts and the honey malt was a real surprise. I've never used it before and it smells/tastes great.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
On grain, of course!MichiganCornhusker wrote:Did you ferment on grain, or off?ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:...add your two wheat malts and pale malt. Wrap up again, for a couple hours. When done, chill the wort, add oyster shells (ph autopilot), and pitch yeast.
Ground up my malts and the honey malt was a real surprise. I've never used it before and it smells/tastes great.
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Heck yeah. Will be mashing today.ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:On grain, of course!
Actually, I'm taking this opportunity to do a little experimenting with my corn grind.
I've got 6 buckets, each with a finer grind of corn.
I started with whole kernels, lightly cracked, and worked my way down to almost flour over the 6 buckets.
I've got a couple bottles of my S3:15 left over, these will be my S3:16 bottles.
Last edited by MichiganCornhusker on Thu Aug 11, 2016 4:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Oh man your guys enthusiasm is contagious! I'm sitting here at work reading this and getting giddy as a school girl wanting to join in and start mashing now! I'm very curious about the grind results MC, including at what point is straining a complete PITA. Got it all except the red wheat and the cracked corn (been using flaked maize) to get away from the cooking process. May just go all white wheat and see.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Wound up at about 2#/gallon, OG 1.060.
The grind did make a difference, even with the liquid enzymes, the finer the grind the better the conversion. Not a big surprise. I will continue grinding to meal.
Pitched US-05, bubbling away this morning.
The grind did make a difference, even with the liquid enzymes, the finer the grind the better the conversion. Not a big surprise. I will continue grinding to meal.
Pitched US-05, bubbling away this morning.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
See, we never have to question grind again. Lol. Thanks MCH!MichiganCornhusker wrote:Wound up at about 2#/gallon, OG 1.060.
The grind did make a difference, even with the liquid enzymes, the finer the grind the better the conversion. Not a big surprise. I will continue grinding to meal.
Pitched US-05, bubbling away this morning.
I didn't seem to log my sg the first time, but did it a few times, thought I was closer to 1.07. How much corn? Is that an average of all the buckets? What was the variations?
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Sorry, didn't mean to wander off topic with my totally irrelevant experimenting....ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:How much corn? Is that an average of all the buckets? What was the variations?
I started with whole kernels,
Bucket 1: first crack: 1.074
Bucket 2: second crack: 1.075
Bucket 3: starting to get some meal: 1.080
Bucket 4: mostly meal, some pieces: 1.082
Bucket 5: all fine meal: 1.084
Bucket 6 had leftover grains, so it had a higher grain/water ratio: 1.095
Grains in buckets 1-5 were all about 3#/gal, 8.25# corn, 3.5# malts. Not sure about bucket 6.
Mixed it all together with ice to cool to 75F.
I usually grind to meal and usually hit 1.065.
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Do I am assuming that you added water after the reading. Otherwise you couldn't get 1.065 with your lowest bucket being 1.074.MichiganCornhusker wrote:Sorry, didn't mean to wander off topic with my totally irrelevant experimenting....ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:How much corn? Is that an average of all the buckets? What was the variations?
I started with whole kernels,
Bucket 1: first crack: 1.074
Bucket 2: second crack: 1.075
Bucket 3: starting to get some meal: 1.080
Bucket 4: mostly meal, some pieces: 1.082
Bucket 5: all fine meal: 1.084
Bucket 6 had leftover grains, so it had a higher grain/water ratio: 1.095
Grains in buckets 1-5 were all about 3#/gal, 8.25# corn, 3.5# malts. Not sure about bucket 6.
Mixed it all together with ice to cool to 75F.
I usually grind to meal and usually hit 1.065.
But 10 points from crack to meal. Sweet
"Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond."
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Re: Honey Bear Bourbon
Yep, I usually add 9-12 gallons of water in the form of ice for cooling.ShineonCrazyDiamond wrote:Do I am assuming that you added water after the reading.
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