How to safely redistill 130 proof shine.

[CORNjuice]

My column pumps out 130 proof likker.

Wondering if it is possible to safely redistill to achieve higher proof.

I assume I just have to go verrrrry slow on the heating element.

Do I have to dilute down? Just makes it sound like it would take longer....

[Boda Getta]

"Do I have to dilute (130 proof) down? Just makes it sound like it would take longer.."???!!!

I believe you need to do a bunch of reading in the Safety section.

BG

[justsomeguy]

Are you distilling from wash or do you do stripping runs?
You can easily re distill your likker. Just dilute to 40% (for safety) using water, or if you want flavor use some backset or wash to dilute. You can up your ABV re distilling to a certain point.
The reason for diluting is to reduce the risk of fire. Your choice put it in high proof and save a few minutes and increase the risk of blowing your still up OR take a few minutes longer and drastically decrease your risk.
Have you read the newcomers section. If not please go there and read then re read then read again. Tons of info on safety and how to make a good product.

[MichiganCornhusker]

verrrrry slow....

then BOOM!

[Halfbaked]

+1 on everyone above. Kabooom at 130proof, dilute it to at most 80 proof, and you really need some more reading. New distillers reading lounge is calling you. Click the links in my signature. Do the time and it will help the shine.

[rad14701]

I guess I'm left wondering WHY you think you want or need higher proof spirits...??? You're just going to have to dilute it back down to drinking proof (80 - 100 proof) anyway, right...??? If you think the spirits need to be cleaner then dilute lower than 40%, perhaps to 30% or lower, because the added water is your best filter... Also, are you talking pot still or reflux column...???

[CORNjuice]

If I dilute down to 80% abv wouldn't it just come back out at 65 again? Or does the higher concentration of alcohol mean it will all turn to vapor faster and be collecte at a higher proof.

Going for a novelty high proof l run. All the boys at deer camp want the stereotypical high proof likker.

[thatguy1313]

Dilute to 40% or lower. It will be higher ABV second run and then again third run and will taste cleaner. Please don't let anyone drink anything over 75%.

[S-Cackalacky]

You're entering into very dangerous territory by drinking, or allowing others to drink alcohol in excess of 100 proof. It can seriously damage tissues in your mouth and throat and can more easily induce alcohol poisoning. I don't think you want to be responsible for injuring or killing your buddies - right?

[Hound Dog]

Going for a novelty high proof l run. All the boys at deer camp want the stereotypical high proof likker.

Sorry, but the boys at deer camp are just a little ignorant. Don't play into it. I have a couple of buddies that bug me to give them 195 proof too. I know the simple bastards would do shots with it so no go fellas. One friend actually told me my stuff just wasn't real moonshine cause it didn't taste like it. I dumped a little trash out of a feints jug, cut it to about 100 - 105 and gave him a jar. He thought it was great. Just sad . Guess 100 proof All Bran is just too smooth.

[frozenthunderbolt]

give them the heads cut to 55%abv it'll burn like buggery, give them a splitting headache and make them feel manly as all get out.
+ they are unlikely to choke down much of it reducing their risk of overdoing it

[rad14701]

Thinking that traditional moonshine was historically exceedingly high in proof is sheer nonsense... And drinking exceedingly high proof alcohol is just plain dangerous... You have much to learn about, including respect for, this craft...

[CORNjuice]

This forum is hilarious.

Thanks for the helpful advice to those that gave it!


To everyone pointing out the obvious....is this not the "novice" section of the forum?

Please don't tell me to go read a different page in the forum. It's a Q&A sItuation, not a directory...

[S-Cackalacky]

We expect you to do the reading before asking questions on this forum - Novice or otherwise. It's important that you have a basic understanding of the processes and then do some research before asking questions that have already been asked and answered hundreds of times. We also expect you to show respect to the other members of the forum.

Any further posts like this one will get you a more formal warning and possibly further action by the forum administration.

[woodshed]

The obvious you seem to be missing?
All the advice above is great. What you do now is heed the advice.

Chances are your buddies wouldn't know the difference if it has any quality to it. You can learn so much here by diving in.
Your attitude towards what is being offered needs to change to have any chance of being taken seriously.
If you expect a Q&A here with such a weak Q you took a wrong turn.

[rad14701]

This forum is hilarious.

Perhaps this isn't the place for you if you can't take safety advice seriously... None of the rest of us seem to be laughing, just you, so that should be an indicator that you're not on the same page...

[Wiz of Oz]

I don't quite understand why you would not take the advice to learn more about this hobby/craft. The guys on this forum are here to help you become a safe and successful hobby distiller, they have endless amounts of advice/tips/opinions to give and share but you are expected to take some time and read the basics so you don't hurt yourself of others. There really is no need to be rude to people who just want to help and keep you safe.

I'm just a newbie to this hobby myself and these guys have been invaluable!

[moosemilk]

Just tell them the truth. You are not in this to make crap for you or anybody else. And if they think they know more about making likker than you, just start talking about mashing, mash temps, conversion, diastic power, yeast strains, nutrients. Or really confuse them talking columns...throw in a few terms like vm, cm, LM, plated flutes....read up a bit so you know what they are. You'll learn a ton for yourself as well that way. Worse comes to worse, make up a sugar wash. Sounds like you got a pot still. Run it fast and hard like a stripping run. Take some heads and dilute it with some nasty tails to 50%. Sugar has that "twang" to it, and running it fast on a pot still smears the hell out of cuts. It'll burn on the tongue, and burn in a spoon easily at that proof. Tell them it's 180 proof (kinda like telling them of the 18 point buck you couldn't get a shot at that morning).

Then when they wake up with pounding heads and can't get out to hunt, you come back with a deer. Win all around. You even safe your good stuff for a more appreciative and educated crowd. Then tell them to actually research what moonshine really is about, rather than the enquirer type tabloid image they have.

[Tater]

If I dilute down to 80% abv wouldn't it just come back out at 65 again? Or does the higher concentration of alcohol mean it will all turn to vapor faster and be collecte at a higher proof.

Going for a novelty high proof l run. All the boys at deer camp want the stereotypical high proof likker.

Just remember there is always that one asshole that can drink anything. Your responsible for what you serve.If you think this is ok to do then this isn't the forum for you.

[BigSwede]

I think almost everyone here has accidentally taken a mouthful of nearly pure ethanol at least once. I know I have. Nothing fun or funny about it. Burns like a mother, does tissue damage.

Once when I had a bit of numb mouth going, I also swallowed a portion. Burnt my eusophagus so badly that it still hurt the next day.

Tell them to pound sand... "I take pride in my product, and will not serve you crap as an exercise in idiocy."

[moosemilk]

Tell them to pound sand... "I take pride in my product, and will not serve you crap as an exercise in idiocy."

Best advice yet!

[InglisHill]

Natural Selection at its finest.