Just introducing myself, another kiwi to the mix here. Disiller, brewer, dabbler of sorts, and now a founding member of a whisky club.
I've been hanging around this site for a while, and used the incredible resources to construct my new still monster (50litre boiler, 1.2m tower into a modular stone-nixon condensor/gin head contraption which must be another metre or so as well, luckily i've got a high enough roof). Monstor for me anyways, I'm sure a lot of members here must have much bigger... I literally wore out my original 20l 'commercial' still, and whilst searching on a means to build a new one ended up here! It was meant to be a 100l boiler but it just became too expensive.
Started distilling in the mid 90's, and apart from dabbling a bit in wine kept that up until early 2000's. Was originally only doing sugar wash's and mostly commercial flavourings if not kitchen ingredients, and ultimately got bored, it seemed to become too easy once the 'home brew' industry matured. Have been making all grain beer for the last couple of years which has been excellent (very interesting, and lots of challenges and learning required).
Making beer from grain has rekindled my enthusiasm for spirits however, but in an all grain (or fruit) capacity. Making a single malt is high on the list, as is making some brandy. at some point I've got to make use of the gin head on my new still too.... although probably not for gin...
I already have a sack of malt, which I intend on peat smoking (eh somehow....) and have a source of grapes/wine and even old barrels (can I recooper into smaller barrels??? ) , so its looking all go go go!
Awesome!
