heads

Treatment and handling of your distillate.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Post Reply
User avatar
Halfbaked
retired
Posts: 3401
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:51 pm

heads

Post by Halfbaked »

Am I the only one that has ever opened a bottle and the first 4 or 5 sips is so smooth no heads and the next day it has some burn or more burn the next day or week? If you have do you know why? If it had only happened one time I would say its me but happens often.
Ayay
Distiller
Posts: 1656
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:25 am
Location: Planet Erf...near the bottom.

Re: heads

Post by Ayay »

Heads can be got rid of in the cuts. Better stillin and better cuts. Brewing is not the main problem. Stillin nice and slow and making good cuts will deliver.
cornflakes...stripped and refluxed
User avatar
Halfbaked
retired
Posts: 3401
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:51 pm

Re: heads

Post by Halfbaked »

What I am asking about is the different taste of heads in the jar on the first taste vs next days. 1st time I open it there seems to be less bite than the next day or however long the jar lasts. It is heads that I am talking about but not how to get rid of them. I know when you air out likker it can smooth out some headsy bite. This is kinda almost the opposite. After I open the lid and taste how ever much I want it is smooth (whether made 1 week or 1 year ago) and the next day it has more bite. Why??????

The cuts in this particular hooch IMHO is 100% hearts almost not smearing at all. But happens in govt likker also. I am not complaining about the taste or bite or lack of bite. I am asking why does air cause it vs being sealed up. Maybe its not air, maybe its turning it up and movement and settling.
Last edited by Halfbaked on Sun Sep 15, 2013 7:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
ga flatwoods
Master of Distillation
Posts: 3192
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2013 6:40 pm
Location: SE GA Flatwoods

Re: heads

Post by ga flatwoods »

A hair the dog is always rough!
GA Flatwoods
The hardest item to add to a bottle of shine is patience!
I am still kicking.
Ga Flatwoods
User avatar
pfshine
Master of Distillation
Posts: 3106
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:59 pm
Location: Vegas

Re: heads

Post by pfshine »

What are you storing it in? Are you leaving it open the whole time? It could be that your hooch is being oxidized.
Life is a journey you take alone. Make sure you do what you what makes you happy
User avatar
Halfbaked
retired
Posts: 3401
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:51 pm

Re: heads

Post by Halfbaked »

quart mason jar but could be factory govt likker. Not stored opened. Closed like normally would store. Maybe if no one else knows what I am talking about maybe I am to picky.
Bagasso
Distiller
Posts: 1344
Joined: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:09 pm

Re: heads

Post by Bagasso »

halfbaked wrote:Am I the only one that has ever opened a bottle and the first 4 or 5 sips is so smooth no heads and the next day it has some burn or more burn the next day or week? If you have do you know why? If it had only happened one time I would say its me but happens often.
Around here when we open a bottle it ends up empty before the next day.

I think that oxygen getting into the bottle might start the chemical reaction that creates acetaldehyde from ethyl acetate.
According to wikipedia:
Excessive amounts of ethyl acetate are considered a wine fault. Exposure to oxygen can exacerbate the fault due to the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde, which leaves the wine with a sharp vinegar-like taste.
googe
retired
Posts: 3880
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2012 6:53 pm
Location: awwstralian in new zealund

Re: heads

Post by googe »

I think I can relate with what your saying mate, ive had similar experiences I think. I think bagasso might be onto something there!. Lots of things don't like oxygen!.
Here's to alcohol, the cause of, and solution to, all life's problems.
"Homer J Simpson"
rad14701
retired
Posts: 20865
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:46 pm
Location: New York, USA

Re: heads

Post by rad14701 »

The problem I run into at times is excess tails creeping up over time if I do my blending too soon after distillation... The spirits taste great immediately after blending but then the tails start showing up... When I'm short on or out of my own spirits I periodically blend in a jar too many of late heads or early tails and it comes back to bite me in the ass... When in doubt, leave it out and add it to the feints jar...
User avatar
Halfbaked
retired
Posts: 3401
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:51 pm

Re: heads

Post by Halfbaked »

I do think this is late heads or early tails. Its not a bad thing I am saying just a little more bite after the second day. Its a minimum change but I am after a little more learnin on why. Most would prop not even notice it. Thanks for all the replies.
The flint stones
Novice
Posts: 72
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:13 pm
Location: Texas

Re: heads

Post by The flint stones »

Same thing has happened to me, I made my cuts, sipped some and so smooth then after telling someone how smooth it was and sharing it now it had a bite to it. I was thinking it was because it was in closed jar too soon and needed more airing out?
Post Reply