Getting Started

[cigarBum]

Greeting, I have decided that I would like to get into this hobby. A little background, I live in the mountains of NE GA, knowledge of distilling, none. What I would like to accomplish, make some very high quality spirits, I think what I want to do is make a high proof flavored "shine" with fruit, peach, apple, cherry, maybe some flavored brandy. Again the most important aspect of the endevor is to make a very high quality. Most of this will be given as gifts and the rest I will drink.
I guess the most confusing part of this is what kind of still to purchase, pot or reflux. My opinion is that if I want a very good bottle of 21 year old scotch or bourbun I can get it at the local store. I would like to make something that you can't buy.
I don't want to make one so will purchase, comments on what I should buy and any suggestion of good suppliers.
Comments and suggestion please
Thanks

CigarBum

[rad14701]

Welcome to the forums, cigarBum...

If you are looking to buy rather than build I'm sure our members can give suggestions... Just don't get ripped off by crooks... There are several reputable sources out there...

Good luck...

[cigarBum]

Thanks for the response. Just looking for some basic direction, I believe about 7.5 Gal would suit my expectations or just get me in lot of trouble. I have read a bunch, but when it comes to this stuff I'm dumb as a box of rocks. I need help, suggestions, guidance and a lot of patience from you guys.
I will apologize in advance, you that have the knowledge have probably answered the same question a millions time.
Thanks again
CigarBum

[rad14701]

A pot still is what you want for flavored spirits... Perhaps the cheapest and easiest way to go is to start out with a worm in a bucket pot still... They can be scaled to run on a stove top, with an internal electric element and controller, a modified hot plate, or using a propane burner... And with the proper sized worm bucket you won't need to replace any water throughout the entire run... The water can be recycled any number of ways...

[cigarBum]

If I have read correctly, the pot still is the proper method to use, and I guess if you want to get a higher proof, you run it through again. Does the second run diminish the flavor any? I'm sorry, don't know what a worm hole is, told ya, dumb as a box of rocks.
The still I kind of had my eye on was a brewhaus essential extractpr PSII high cap, start with a good clean, high proof shine and flavor from there.
CB

[LWTCS]

Yer lookin for a pot still if you want flavored drinks like real brandy and real rum.

If you'd rather put a rum flavored additive into a nuetural more often than not, then maybe the PSII HC is for you.

Whats your budget?
What about this:

http://www.coppermoonshinestills.com/id34.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[rad14701]

The Essential Extractor Pro Series II is a Cooling Management reflux column... It can be run in reflux mode or as a pot still... While not one of my favorite choices it will do the job... Just personal preference but I'm not fond of cooling management...

[cigarBum]

Those copper stills sure are purdy, but that is about twice what I want to spend, would like to stay around $500 for the still.
Is there a difference in quality and flavor between the pot and reflux??
What would be your preference/favorite in that price range, in the purchase of a new still??
cb

[LWTCS]

No doubt about it. The Colonel has some spendy equipment.

[cigarBum]

If the Copper Col. had one half the size (5 gal) for half the price I would buy it. It looks a lot simplier that a lot of the others.
CB