1ST DISTILLING IN PROGRESS

[Slivovitz]

Approximately 7 gallons of 10% to 12% apricot must are being distilled as we speak. Maintaining 175° vapor temperature approximately. 130 proof alcohol steadily dripping out.

[Slivovitz]

First 5 ounces discarded

[Slivovitz]

Tasting the now 67% dribbling apricot spirit and its strong but nice flavor.

We have about 12 ounces collected so far.

Very pleased with my first run!

[tombombadil]

Congrats!

[Slivovitz]

7 gallons must distilled to 25% got 3/4 gallon so far.

7 more gallons apricot must is in the pot and looking to have 2 full gallons after running 14 gallons.

I will figure out blending after that. I was planning to run it twice but we will see how it tastes tomorrow.

[cranky]

Nice, glad to see it's working out.

[Slivovitz]

I buttered the bottom of my pot and added 4 feet of half inch copper tubing cut into 1.5 inch pieces to the bottom of the boiler.

The first pot full produced almost 1 gallon.

It started at 68% alcohol and finished at 25% alcohol.

The second pot full produced three-quarters of a gallon and started at 70% alcohol and finished at 50%. For some reason the second pot didnt give as much alcohol.

Everything tasted good during the distillation.

I am letting it breathe tonight and I will blend it tomorrow.

I collected the first half gallon in one jug. The remaining into 12 ounce mason jars. (Same on both runs)

All of them taste good.

I will pour it all into one big pot to mix with some distilled water tomorrow.

Tomorrow if weather is ok I will run my 16 gallons of peach wine.

This was not difficult and i am very happy.

[NZChris]

I'm pleased to hear it went well.

[Slivovitz]

The jars were left uncovered to breathe for 12 hours. The first foreshot jars of stuff to be thrown away lost 20% to 25% of their volume! I collected more than I needed to on the four shots roughly seven or eight ounces on a 6 or 7 gallon charge.

First pot of must the half gallon is 63% last 2 jars are cloudy with tiny oil on top.

Second half gallon 65% and last jar is a little cloudy with a few drops of oil on top.

I'm preparing to put into a large carboy to dilute it.

Not sure if I should put cloud jars in freezer then blot off the oil how to handle the cloudy jars.

Time to do more research about c

loudy jars....

[Up in the Shed]

Sounds like you have a lot of oils come over. I personally don't know how to clear cloudy distilate, other then to mix with a higher proof spirit, or to run it again.

I do know that if you dilute it, you may end up with a lot more cloudiness as the proof goes down.

Also, good Idea in taking lots of foreshots. Its only going to be nasty heads anyway.


Just looking back through the post.... Is this all from the initial run, when you distilled the fermented wash? or did you strip it and do a spirit run?

[Slivovitz]

First and only run. Split a barrel into 2 runs.

I believe my pot ran too hot towards the end of each run and likely got some oily stuff in the mix.

I dont know if running this again will benefit me much.

I do have 16 gallons of peach must in a barrel I might run today or tomorrow.

It tastes good from each jar. I am planning to blend it all into a carboy later today to measure proof as a whole and taste it again.

[Slivovitz]

55%

Blended everything and got 53% corrected for temp. Decent first haul.

Tastes pretty good as is!

11 gallon must 1.5 gallon collected

[Slivovitz]

In my 250 ml sample I added 16 ml of distilled water and it is now proofed to 100 (50% ABV corrected for temp).

Tasting in progress.....

[Yummyrum]

Don’t use plastic measuring cylinder . Use a glass one .
Have a look at the rules at the bottom of the page.

[NZChris]

I believe my pot ran too hot towards the end of each run and likely got some oily stuff in the mix.

I don't. I think that is quite normal for a first pass through a pot still. It happens again at the end of a spirit run.

[Slivovitz]

I believe my pot ran too hot towards the end of each run and likely got some oily stuff in the mix.

I don't. I think that is quite normal for a first pass through a pot still. It happens again at the end of a spirit run.

Good to know. After blending it all it's clear. After diluting 250ml to 50% its tasty. Smooth and flavorful in mouth burns in the belly.

I will try it at 45% and 40% later today

[Twisted Brick]

Don’t use plastic measuring cylinder . Use a glass one .
Have a look at the rules at the bottom of the page.

Same with the funnel (and parrot if it’s plastic)...

Side note: My parents had a Flair RV that we sent the two older kids over for breakfast during camping trips so the wife and I could work on our third....

[Slivovitz]

Don’t use plastic measuring cylinder . Use a glass one .
Have a look at the rules at the bottom of the page.

Same with the funnel (and parrot if it’s plastic)...

Side note: My parents had a Flair RV that we sent the two older kids over for breakfast during camping trips so the wife and I could work on our third....

My funnel going from the condenser to the proofing parrot was plastic. I will have a metal one soon. The proofing parrot is pyrex.

My Flair motorhome (out the window in pic) has yet to take a trip. I hope I can head to the lake next week.

I know plastics are a no go, but it was all I had.

[cranky]

Good job

Yes tails are cloudy and oily and come over around the 35% point, That's normal. They tend to taste like crap too.

[Slivovitz]

Good job

Yes tails are cloudy and oily and come over around the 35% point, That's normal. They tend to taste like crap too.

Everything tasted good down to the last collection at +/- 30%.

I was tasting the drips from 40% down to keep from getting something funky in the mix.

[Slivovitz]

[Slivovitz]

Delicious! Oaked brandy is very good. The white stuff is smooth but with toasted oak it's more complex.