Just over a year....and sitting here now overseeing a strip run of TPW, Its great to think back to how much I have learned and where I have learned it. last winter I made a few batches of rum trying a few recipes...white and dark, dunder and flavoured with orange. It is all great....and a gallon put away for another time.
I distilled some apple wine I made and out came a wonderful brandy....now over a year old it is fantastic.;..although I learned lessons about going light with the nutmeg and such. Lessons are what this hobby is all about. There is a lesson in every batch....I do wish I was better at keeping records but I like surprises too.
I made many an all bran and TPW. From those I made some great gin trying infusions and also hanging it in a bag inside boiler under the column. The gin is the pleaser at home. Great last summer. I tried a few liquers with the neutral and even found some essences that were good....good enough for christmas presents anyhow.
I made corn flakes whisky (drinking a dram now...much improved over 8 months). I also made 2 different batches of single malt. Both I milled at home....one i fermented on grain and one I squeezed first. One heavily peated and one not. Both too sippable too early so I will not know what they would have been like after more time. For those, the rums and the CFW I used my own toasted oak staves which really really do a great job (learned to do it on the BBQ cause it they sure smelled up the house...with a lovely vanilla smell.
I have learned about equipment and the importance of having a good set-up. Access to water, a way to drain without it all going in the septic and keeping things clean and organized have made me a better man all around.
Home Distiller and Modern Distiller have been my best friend. I spent soooooo many hours on here and want to thank everybody who has contributed. Oh shit......I better get back down there!!!!
My first YEAR.....a fantastic hobby
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Re: My first YEAR.....a fantastic hobby
Quite a rap sheet there. I hope to have the same thrill a year from now as you have.
What gin you doing? (Tomorrow I strain and distill Odin's Easy Gin for its 5 week development rest)
Anyway keep up the charge and nice meeting you!
What gin you doing? (Tomorrow I strain and distill Odin's Easy Gin for its 5 week development rest)
Anyway keep up the charge and nice meeting you!
Re: My first YEAR.....a fantastic hobby
Good work! I am also about a year in and it really is amazing to think back about all I’ve learned and enjoyed. Merry Christmas!
Re: My first YEAR.....a fantastic hobby
Good job, it looks like you are well on your way!
Stick around... It only gets better
Shine0n
Stick around... It only gets better
Shine0n
- Truckinbutch
- Angel's Share
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Re: My first YEAR.....a fantastic hobby
You've done well , Pilgrim , considering .(Will Geer to Robert Redford in Jerimiah Johnson) The rewards are only just beginning . Stick around for the long haul .
If you ain't the lead dog in the team , the scenery never changes . Ga Flatwoods made my avatar and I want to thank him for that .
Don't drink water , fish fornicate in it .
Don't drink water , fish fornicate in it .
- Twisted Brick
- Master of Distillation
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Re: My first YEAR.....a fantastic hobby
"You've done well, Pilgrim," (John Wayne to Jimmy Stewart in Who Killed Liberty Valance).
Just started my career. Would love to have half the year you've had. Great job!
Just started my career. Would love to have half the year you've had. Great job!
“Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore, always carry a small snake.”
- W.C. Fields
My EZ Solder Shotgun
My Steam Rig and Manometer
- W.C. Fields
My EZ Solder Shotgun
My Steam Rig and Manometer
Re: My first YEAR.....a fantastic hobby
Sounds great! I'm a little further in, but still having challenges building up aging stock. Looks like you are well along that path.