Question on vodka

[Nightforce]

I have a question about making vodka from high proof neutral. On the parent site, a vodka is defined as a spirit without distinctive character.

If I dilute my 190 down to 80 with distilled water, I have a vodka, however, would this be a good vodka for martini's etc, or do those drinks rely on the off (IMHO) flavors of say a commercial vodka for the flavor of the drink. For such things as a screwdriver, bloody mary, or other mixed drink where the alcohol taste isn't desired, a super clean 80 proof vodka I would think is great but I don't know about other vodka based drinks as I prefer bourbons, whiskey's and scotch.

[kiwistiller]

Diluting your neutral for martini's etc is awesome in my books. I have a similar opinion to you about commercial vodkas, but I am way too poor to have tried any of the really, really expensive ones.

If you enjoy bloody mary's, try infusing a bottle of your neutral with red capsicum (peppers for you statesiders) and use that. yum.

[GrayGull]

My home made gin with store bought vermouth ( I can't produce vermouth economically) makes a good Martini. Either shaken or stirred, but with an olive ...

[kiwistiller]

Yeah I haven't got the vermouth down yet, I had one attempt and it was awful. store bought it is... fortunately I like them really dry so I don't use much. Vermouth and tequila, thats this homedistillers' Achilles heel.

[plonker]

I find there is a noticeable difference in taste between a vodka and a neutral.

If I run my rum and or UJSSM feints through the reflux, I get a neutral product with a very slight rum or corn whiskey taste. Fine for mixing up with mixers for cocktails etc.

If I do a wheat and or barley sugar wash and run that through my reflux then I get a real vodka taste with a hint of grain thats great with soda water. Its also possible to do grape vodka's etc etc.

Cheers

[Coyote]

Recently I did a sugar wash with tomato paste - single run in my pot still
Anything over 40% was diluted with spring water.
I used just the outside skin minus the white part of an orange.
Cut about 1/2 inch wide 8 to 10 pieces per gallon
Twisted hard to get the oils going and dropped in a gallon glass jar

3 days on the orange peel and airing at the same time.
Bottled and let air for another 5 days

Everyone who has tried it thinks it is pretty darn yummy

[HookLine]

I find there is a noticeable difference in taste between a vodka and a neutral.

If I run my rum and or UJSSM feints through the reflux, I get a neutral product with a very slight rum or corn whiskey taste. Fine for mixing up with mixers for cocktails etc.

If I do a wheat and or barley sugar wash and run that through my reflux then I get a real vodka taste with a hint of grain thats great with soda water. Its also possible to do grape vodka's etc etc.

Cheers

I find the same. Getting a true neutral from just one pass through the reflux column is not so easy, especially if the low wines are from flavoured washes or feints from flavoured runs. To get true neutral you have to start with the cleanest wash possible, or run it through the column twice. I use my neutral mainly for macerations, so I prefer it to be as neutral as possible, so it does not taint the final flavour (coz macerations tend to be fairly light in flavour compared to full flavoured pot stilled spirits).

OTOH, as you point out, a 'neutral' made from flavoured washes or flavoured feints can have its own decent character, especially with a bit of oaking and ageing.

Plenty of room for experimenting and personal preference here.

[Oxbo Rene]

I was over at a friend's house yesterday and he offered me a couple shots of some neutral that had been aged for a year, alos had tangerine slices in it.
Was smooth and quite tasty.
I'm still wondering if aging neutral for a year does that much with it ?

[LWTCS]

I was over at a friend's house yesterday and he offered me a couple shots of some neutral that had been aged for a year, alos had tangerine slices in it.
Was smooth and quite tasty.
I'm still wondering if aging neutral for a year does that much with it ?

I'm thankin it can't hurt. I recon a smooth nuetural is,,,,,,,,,,,fuggin good.
Look at it this way, if you have enough stock to age anything a year, then I'd say your in very good shape........................Blanik pisses me off wiff all the likker stashed under his house...........dang it.

Btw, the tangerine sounds delightful.

[Oxbo Rene]

Btw, the tangerine sounds delightful.

Thanks LWTCS,
Yeah, the tangerine was quite a surprise and quite refreshingly pleasant.
Thinkin about makin some (adding to finished neutral) when I finally
get some to add to, etc.....