wild plums

[PC1]

in a couple months the wild plum trees on my property are going to be ready for harvest. they are red, about quarter size, and quite tart and also very sweet. seems like they would be perfect for a run. My biggest concern is that they are very susceptible to some form of wild yeast and do seem to rot quickly.

Does anyone have a wild plum recipe?

[NZChris]

Crush plums.
Add yeast.
Ferment.
Double distill with a pot still.

[PC1]

well, that would be the simplest way...

[NZChris]

I have a brandy recipe that is very similar

[NZChris]

This is the best write up I've seen.

https://slivovice.org/

[PC1]

Thank you for that NZ Chris, very interesting read.

[thecroweater]

If they are the sort I think they are (the sort around here) they will yield about 2% ABV but will have an almost overpoweringly strong flavour. After years of messing with wild plums I'm of the opinion the best results are gained from adding water and some sugar.
This is my method, please note and read through that that ratio of plums to water and sugar are the maximum you would use for the sourest and dryest of fruit and for most prunus varieties you could easily halve that ratio.

[PC1]

Thank You!

Please keep the ideas coming!

[HDNB]

i made a batch of slivovitz a few years ago. i went the wild yeast route, took about a month.

the spirit had an amazing flavour and aroma. i was really happy with it and put it into storage, so i could go back once and a while for a little sip, i only had 2 jars.

at about 2 years the flavour and aroma just disappeared, it is like vodka now.

my advise is to drink it when you make it.

[thecroweater]

I have mine in a stainless keg, don't proof it until I draw some off and I add to it each season so mine is still full flavoured. It gets no air and no sunlight and is at close to 90% ABV so it doesn't really age but it doesn't deteriorate either. I did initially age the first batch on plum wood for longer than was best but cutting it with while redeemed it just dandy, I have not yet felt the need to infuse it will more wood but I guess at some stage I likely will have to to retain this particular expression.

[dieselduo]

I made some plum brandy yesterday and collected in jars with charred sugar maple and aired over night. Gives a nice color too. Sort of a faux Lincoln county process. Makes a nice drop.