I've still got it.

[TN.Frank]

Well, after not running off anything for quite a while I broke the ol' still out, made up a mash, let it ferment for 7 days and ran it off today. Took the first 150ml off of the front end and tossed it(gets rid of all the methanol) then caught it from 130 proof down to 120 proof, added enough water to get me to 100 proof and WOW, stuff turned out great as usual. I think I've pretty much got this distilling thing down to an art, but then I've been doing it for quite a few years too. LOL.
Can't wait to run my next batch in 7 days. This will be a sour mash batch since I re-use my backins' and just mix in a 5 lb bag of sugar while they're still hot. Seems like the second, third and forth batch with the sour mash are always a bit better then the first batch with the "virgin" mash. Anyway, just wanted to share.

[LWTCS]

U bin sippin too?

Cheers and good stilling.
Larry

[blanikdog]

Haven't heard 'backins' for a long, long time. Reckon I first heard it from Goose. It's a nice word, I like it.

blanik

[TN.Frank]

LOL, that's what I've always called em' since it's the stuff that's left back after the run, hence "Backins".
I always pull a lot off the front(at least 150ml) to make dang sure the meth is gone. I got cheap one night early in my distillin' and only pulled off about 50ml, only took a couple shots to get my eyes to hurting so I re-ran it and pulled more off the front and it cleaned up good. Now I just pull plenty off the front and I've got no problems like that anymore.
I did go a bit further into the tails then normal. Had just a hint of bitter taste but after it sat for a while it tastes fine.
Has anyone else noticed that, 'Shine has a better flavor after it sits for a spell, like the fusels and stuff blend and mellow a bit. Anyway, getting late, need to hit the ol' hay. Talk to ya'll later.

[Usge]

So, you just takin' off fores and not doing cuts? Or was your catch between 130-120 yer cut? Sounds like you single footin' too?

[TN.Frank]

As a rule I don't do cuts but this time around I took off about 4oz at a time to measure the proof. First couple were 130, then I got one that was 125 then the last one was 120. That got me 600ml give or take. Then I took a quick taste and it was just starting to get a little bitter so I stopped the run right there and cut what I had down to 100 proof.
I've read that a lot of guys will run down to 100 proof but with my small set-up I'd not want to go that low, too many tails would come thru and it'd really make it bitter.
Still don't understand why after it sits for a day or so it's better, only thing that I can think of is all the fusels and congers must mix together and mellow a bit with a day of sitting.

[LWTCS]

Got any pics of your outfit?

Still don't understand why after it sits for a day or so it's better, only thing that I can think of is all the fusels and congers must mix together and mellow a bit with a day of sitting.

If your making a habbit of not doing cuts then it's more like the,,,even more volitile compounds are evaporating.

You really should consider making cuts. Airing with proper cuts is kind of a SOP.

Your likker must be pretty,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Hot (among other things).

[Whitedog]

Your likker must be pretty,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Hot (among other things).

Your just being.... nice! WD

[TN.Frank]

Actually, it's not hot at all, it comes out pretty good. That's what keeps me coming back to making it rather then buying it. I'd say on a scale of 1-10 my stuff would be a solid 8+ if not a touch better. Not bragging, just drank a lot of whiskeys over the years so I've got something to compare my stuff too.

[Usge]

If it's single run on a potstill, and not doubled, it can be smoother even like that. Mainly because it's lower proof, and the congener/esters (impurities) are not as concentrated/extracted. Ever taste yer low-wines? They can taste pretty good when they are still sweet. It's usually less refined but more "corny" tasting. Some people prefer single run to doubled, even on a potstill. Just a taste thing.

[TN.Frank]

It gets run through a thumper so it's actually a double distill since the thumper acts like a second pot. It comes out 120-130 proof and when cut with spring water down to 100 proof it's some of the smoothest liquor I've ever drank and that includes all the store bought stuff. I've got this distilling down pretty much to an art, not bragging, just know that what I get is pretty decent and I've had a few other folks that have been privileged enough to drink my 'Shine say so too.

[Usge]

We'll, nobody can say you shy about it

You getting 60-65% with a thumper? That seems awfully low to me. I think you mentioned before you were starting out near 160-170 proof with your thumper? What happened?

[TN.Frank]

I was getting 160-170 doing a double run which used twice the electricity. Adding the thumper lets me do a single run and get around 125 proof which is fine since I'll water it down to 100 proof for drinking and it lets me use half the electricity. I try not to run too hard so my cooker won't puke over into my thumper. Normally it'll take about 3 hours from start to finish to get a run done but I think it's time well spent.

[Usge]

I was referring to your post in the thumper thread sticky:

I'm running a 2qt mason jar made into a thumper and I really like it over not running one. I can do a single run now and get around 160-170 proof instead of having to do two runs for the same thing, that saves on electricity and water. I just put about 1/4 of the way with water and as soon as it sat...

(160-170 proof) about avg from what I've seen people do single footin with a thumper. I know I can pull 130-120 single runnin a straight up pot (no thumper). Don't matter as long as it works for you. Its just a little confusing is all.

[TN.Frank]

That was then but this is now and now I'm getting 130 at the start of the run and I stop at 120 and collect 600ml with an average of 125 proof. Either way, it works for me, like you said. I'm more then happy with what I'm making. I've had a couple people that's tried it ask if I could sell em' some but I won't sell it and I even if I wanted to I can't make enough to sell. It's a small time operation that doesn't even make enough for me to use on a week to week basis. The bottle I ran off on monday was gone yesterday. Mixed it with grape juice and made my own Purple Passion, LOL.