from the old message boards
kernal32
(stranger)
07/26/04 05:00 AM
subject: Essence
Hey, i'm new to distilling, and have a few questions
I've read a few different versions of when to add the essence in. Once you have the 80% alcohol, do you then add the essence and then water it down to say 50%, or do you water it down to 50% THEN add the essance to that?
Fourway
(addict)
07/26/04 10:40 AM
Re: Essence [re: kernal32]
it doesn't make a huge difference.
most essences are pretty heavy handed from a flavor profile perspective.
Flavor changes caused by subtlties like when you add the essence are likely to be lost in the flavor of the essence itself.
This forum doesn't have much in the way of essence discussion or info because most of the discussion revolves around either duplicating traditional processes that make their own flavors or making really really clean spirit with virtually no discussion of what happens next.
mostly essence flavoring doesn't make for very compelling discussion... I know we have a handfull of regulars who use essences, but they rarely talk about it.
Gin was mother's milk to her. - George Bernard Shaw
grayson_stewart
(newbie)
07/26/04 01:01 PM
Re: Essence [re: Fourway]
The few times I've used an essence, I used it as per the directions on the bottle of essence. .. ie Add essence to bottle, then add 'X' ml of 'Y' proof spirit.
Good things may come to those who wait. But only the things left by those who hustle.
ProfessorDuck
(stranger)
07/28/04 01:43 AM
Re: Essence [re: grayson_stewart]
It seems to me that people don't really like using essences much. I recall someone, I think it was unclejesse, saying something along the lines of "I shudder at the thought of using essences". Why is that? If the flavours are spot on like it says on homedistiller, what difference does it make (other than the cost)? Does it taste better if made the real way, or do people see essences as cheating?
______________________________________
Question reality...
linw
(member)
07/28/04 02:55 AM
Re: Essence [re: ProfessorDuck]
I hope I am not alone in stating that there surely is no right or wrong in this. I am also mindful of the fact that the very experienced will take great pride in "doing it from scratch" and so they should. It may also be true that, initially, many of us are so tied up trying to get our heads around just getting a still made and working properly that it would be unwise to add many other variables. But when the distilling has been learned, many of us will venture into brewing from scratch., I am sure.
I am at the stage of just wanting to get a pure spirit that is reliable in taste so I "specialise" in essence gin. A good brew it is too! Most essences are very good, now.
So, I say take pride in whatever you are doing and try to do it well.
Cheers, Lindsay.
pothead
(enthusiast)
07/28/04 06:23 AM
Re: Essence [re: ProfessorDuck]
I dont see anything wrong with using essences. In fact I think everyone should try different techniques,recipes,etc... until they find what suits that individual person. I personally have tried them, and they tasted good....but I prefer to try to make flavorings on my own.
Blanchy
(enthusiast)
07/28/04 06:35 AM
Re: Essence [re: pothead]
I think it depends on what essence you are using. As Linw said, he is making gin which is always just essence of juniper and other spices in neutral alcohol. I think they are a little more problematic when they are trying to duplicate flavors that develop as a result of natural congeners and aging, such as a whiskey or a scotch.
Chuck
lamusegreen
(stranger)
07/28/04 07:32 AM
Re: Essence [re: kernal32]
Hi,
Essences aren’t all bad. My experience has been that they are a bit one-dimensional as far as flavor goes. I agree that the ones that are more or less just essence of juniper in the case of Gin are OK, but I never have liked the others like whiskey, scotch, tequila etc.
Green
theholymackerel
(enthusiast)
07/28/04 07:32 AM
Re: Essence [re: ProfessorDuck]
Essences are for the folks that run column stills.
I run a pot still. Those of us that use potstills have to be able to make a good tastin' wash 'cause the flavor that goes in the still comes out of the still.
Yer right about cost bein' a factor. The essences often are more expensive than the wash. Most of my whiskeys are in the 1-2 $ range/bottle. Not only are my whiskeys "hand-crafted" and "traditional", but they cost a fraction of what an essence whiskey would cost.
Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody.
-Mark Twain
linw
(member)
07/28/04 02:04 PM
Re: Essence [re: theholymackerel]
Certainly, good essences can cost. The one I like costs $NZ3 per bottle (1125ml). But there is another range that does 5 ltrs for $5.50 so this is cheap. If I load the glass with tonic I can't really tell the difference.!
hangmike
(newbie)
07/29/04 06:51 PM
Re: Essence [re: kernal32]
I made some gin from an essence by adding 40% to the essence and it came out cloudy. this took about a week to clear with a deposit on the bottom of the bottle. The next time i added the essence to 96% then diluted and it was clear and no deposit formed on the bottom after a month. So it can make a difference. I dont drink so i cant attest to any differences in flavour.
Mike
puggy
(newbie)
07/29/04 08:15 PM
Re: Essence [re: hangmike]
I've tried essences for a couple of different styles of spirit. Rum, Tequila, Congak. And always added them after dilution. This is what Gert's book "The home distiller" recomended. But I have read a couple of different places about this cloudy reaction, and I thought that it was from some higher alcohols in the tails???? I don't remember exactly.
-puggy
essence
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