New to distillation, or simply new to the HD forums.
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Says to introduce myself, so that's what I'm doing.
I'm from Ontario Canada. I have made home Brew beer in the past but was never a big fan of the flavor compared to store bought. Since my beer drinking days are over and i have moved onto the better stuff I got the crazy idea in my head that i wanted to try to make some Rye whiskey in my home, as I'm tired of paying $27.00 a bottle for 750ml.
So i will do some research on here and post questions if need be.
Welcome Power sounds like your beer in Canada is better than the beer in the US. You might have a little bit of a leg up on a non beer brewer as long as you remember mash temps are diff in beer and liquor. The new distillers reading lounge will be your friend. Link is in my signature. Read it all. Are you thinking strait rye or single malt rye? Do you have a good source of rye cheap? Typically rye is gonna be a little more than other grains because most farm animals don't eat it. I would say you will be under $5 fifth and have better drop. Many are finding bourbons at under a couple dollars a bottle and some cheaper than sugar. Read read read.
Welcome Power_Man, lots to learn here like halfbaked said. Read,read,read, I suggest you try one of the tried and true recipes and get that down before you start with rye. Learn how the still runs with something easy then get to the fun stuff!!
halfbaked wrote:Welcome Power sounds like your beer in Canada is better than the beer in the US. You might have a little bit of a leg up on a non beer brewer as long as you remember mash temps are diff in beer and liquor. The new distillers reading lounge will be your friend. Link is in my signature. Read it all. Are you thinking strait rye or single malt rye? Do you have a good source of rye cheap? Typically rye is gonna be a little more than other grains because most farm animals don't eat it. I would say you will be under $5 fifth and have better drop. Many are finding bourbons at under a couple dollars a bottle and some cheaper than sugar. Read read read.
After further research between the two types, I will be going after just a strait rye.
With that said, I'm leaning towards a regular pot stil, and at a later date, making a second interchangeable reflux colum to try to make some different spirits.
Is that somthing that is possible? Have a single keg as your boiler, with different colums to change up your end product?
That is the way I built mine, but to tell the truth I have only switched
it once. I find I and Wifey are happy with the vodka I get from two runs
with the pot still.
Use a copper union for your switch point.
Coyote
"Slow Down , You'll get a more harmonious outcome" "Speed & Greed have no place in this hobby"
Welcome, Power-man. I'm in Ontario as well. Went much the same route as you did. Built a pot still and have over 50 runs on it now. The hobby becomes more addicting than what you drink! If you are after making your own rye comparing it to a $27 bottle of LCBO "crap", you will probably surpass the quality you are used to in a couple runs if you take the time to read and learn. Even that new Canadian Club that is 100% rye is full of heads.
If you want to go pot and reflux in future, take a look at a boka column on top of a stainless beer keg. Or read up on some CM builds as they can produce some good flavors as well. A third option is to build a pot still from some 2" copper pipe and stainless keg, so you have the keg already for a future column build. Bit overwhelming but a few places to start your research.
I have an all copper pot, but am suggesting keg because they are versatile. I'm on the hunt for a keg myself (have a 1/4 barrel but also want a 1/2 barrel so 1/4 can be thumper) for my reflux I'm building.
A long-winded welcome, but it's nice to see another ontarian with similar likes! Best of luck!
I got the crazy idea in my head that i wanted to try to make some Rye whiskey in my home, as I'm tired of paying $27.00 a bottle for 750ml.
