Hello from Alabama

[old stump juicer]

I've had a hobby still for several months but have yet to produce anything worth drinking.I have belonged to another forum for some time now but haven't been able to get the advice I need, or maybe I just can't follow the advice I've been given.
I have a high capacity reflux still that is supposed to produce some fine spirits. But so far my product has a sharp,strong, smell unlike any shine or store bought whisky I've delt with.
If I can't get something better I may put this thing on ebay and try to salvage some of my money but for now it is just catching dust.
My father was and old hand at this and even built a simple pot still in Germany during ww2, with which he distilled a large quantity of wine into some pretty good hooch.
His field commander liked that stuff so well that he tried to take extra care of dad so his supply wouldn't run out.
He always said it was weird how making liquor may have kept him alive in Germany but could land him in jail at home.
Now about me I'm an ornimintal metals fabricator by trade and a shooter, reloader, fisherman and other stuff guy when off work.
I have three begal's and a bunch of chickens, a very large garden and a 2400 sq ft welding shop which my son Joseph and I build a lot of toys in.
I often have to travel because of my trade and so far have been to Chicago Il. Washington DC, Topeka Kansas, Nashville Tn., HoustonTx., BatonRouge La,and Mobile Al My favorite was Houston and that is good since I've made 11 week long trips there so far. My least favorite was Chicago, and thankfully I only made one week there.
Then there was Washington DC, not as bad as I feared it would be but did spend a bunch of time up there.
If any of you are familuar with the Jefferson Hotel, me and a couple of co-workers built and installed the new entrance on it, or may I say near it as the entrance structer is actually 1/2" from touching to actual building.
Well this is a little about me, I hope to get to know some of you soon, old stump juicer

[Bayou-Ruler]

Welcome to the forum.

[LWTCS]

Welcome OSJ

Whats yer go to recipe and what are you trying to acheive?

[Braz]

I've had a hobby still for several months but have yet to produce anything worth drinking.I have belonged to another forum for some time now but haven't been able to get the advice I need, or maybe I just can't follow the advice I've been given.
I have a high capacity reflux still that is supposed to produce some fine spirits. But so far my product has a sharp,strong, smell unlike any shine or store bought whisky I've delt with.
If I can't get something better I may put this thing on ebay and try to salvage some of my money but for now it is just catching dust.

This hobby can be as hard or as easy as you want it to be. So far I've taken the easy way - read a lot of the home page and the forums, then decide on a still design and build it, pick a recipe from the tried and true section and have at it. It didn't take long for me to get a stellar vodka, a pretty good apple brandy, a passable rum and a gin that is not yet up to par. I have not yet tried grain mashes which I consider to be a level harder and haven't even considered yeast cultivation, which I consider even harder.

This website/forum is a great resource if you are willing to put some effort into the process. There is a ton of info here to be mined. If you take the time and put in the effort you'll be able to make a spirit that is better than anything you can buy.

Good luck and welcome.

[old stump juicer]

Well guys I'm trying to get a good drinkable spirit, I've tried a couple runs with a wheat germ receipe, which was a bust! I even tried a batch with locust beans that also turned to crap.
I haven't tried a sugar wash yet as I don't care much for vodka.
What I would like most at this point is a good sour mash receipe with great instructions.
I'm open for suggestions just nothing too complicated.
I like blended whisky, rum, tequilla and of coarse corn whisky. I'm just a little ashamed that I still have to buy my drink!

[kenfyoozed]

Glad to see another Bama Boy. Nice to meet ya. I was hoping your were close, but since you said you visit my town, south alabama, i take it your up state. Welcome and enjoy.

[Bushman]

Well guys I'm trying to get a good drinkable spirit, I've tried a couple runs with a wheat germ receipe, which was a bust! I even tried a batch with locust beans that also turned to crap.
I haven't tried a sugar wash yet as I don't care much for vodka.
What I would like most at this point is a good sour mash receipe with great instructions.
I'm open for suggestions just nothing too complicated.
I like blended whisky, rum, tequilla and of coarse corn whisky. I'm just a little ashamed that I still have to buy my drink!

Go to the Tried and True recipe section and use one of those recipes to get started.

[old stump juicer]

Hello kenfyoozed I am from near lake Martin, actually I live on Hillabee Creek, near Hog Mountain.
I have always wanted to make what I drink, but it seems that this is unlikely. The stuff I have produced so far is quiet bad.
I do a lot of things that most people aren't willing to try for themselves but I usually can work it out.
This isn't working out for me, I need some real help.
This has more to do with pride than anything else. The stuff I get from the store is very good but I didn't make it.
I can afford to buy what I drink, but would rather be able to say i made it my self!

[Mud Mechanik]

Nice intro there OSJ, and welcome home neighbor ( Mississippi ain't that far ), UJSSM should give you a fine drink.

[rtalbigr]

I have a high capacity reflux still that is supposed to produce some fine spirits.

I like blended whisky, rum, tequilla and of coarse corn whisky

.

OSJ - Your usin' the wrong type still for what ya want to make. Reluxes are for primarily neutrals (vodka) and pot stills are for your whiskys, rum, etc. That's most of your problem. Ya might be able to de-tune your reflux or maybe you'll need to modify it to turn it into a pot still if you're gonna make that Stuff.

What I would like most at this point is a good sour mash receipe with great instructions.

There's all kinds a recipies here and in the parent site, a lot for sour mash, ya gotta look tho. Take a gander at some and if ya have some specific questions get back with us and will gladly help. I'll finish up 50 gal of SM wash sometime in the next couple a days and be puttin' it on some oak for a while. I expect next year or two I'll have some premo stuff to consume.

Big R