diluting for a rum spirit run (pot still)

[rumbaron-intraining]

I was reading about diluting down to 30-40% before starting the spirit run. Now is this just safety, or does it add flavor?

thanks.

[rumbaron-intraining]

I think I found my answer in another thread about using a pot still with a parrot.

The water opens up the bouquet of some of the water soluble fragrances and will cause a particular heavy fusel oil tails to louche. I have learned that sometimes, especially with brandy, there is a part around 40 to 45% that is particular nasty but 40 to 30% is quite tasty and carries the fruit flavors over.

Sound about right?

[Prairiepiss]

The main reason to dilution to 40% or under is safety. 40% is flammable.

The reason to dilute further would be flavor. And a target ABV of the end spirits from a spirit run on a pot still. Both of these you will learn from trial and or error. Experiment. All stills, washes, and operators are different. What works for one mite not for you.

[rumbaron-intraining]

Another experiment to the list!!!!

[rad14701]

I'm seeing two separate references here... One is the dilution of low wines prior the second distillation... The other pertains to the flavor components produced by a particular brandy at specific spirit take off strengths... Both are pertinent, although not necessarily related...

[myles]

I agree Rad, there is another aspect that you may like to think about rumbaron-intraining, (too long how about r-it?)

Going back to your OP, and it is better to dilute to just BELOW 30% ie 27% - 30%. There is a technique called hydro-separation. Particularly useful for pot stillers.
If you dilute your low wines to 30% they "split", essentially into 3 layers with lighter and heavier at the top and bottom and what you want in the middle. If you load your pot still from the middle layer you have already reduced (NOT eliminated) your heads and tails.

You still need to recycle your heads, tails and the fractions in your separator, but your spirit run is a bit more user friendly.

[rumbaron-intraining]

Thanks for the info!!