Just sayin' thanks!

[cantbuyathrill]

bumped in here a few months back with some advice on buying a still and was wisely directed to build my own, which I am happy to say I did. In fact I had a lot of fun building and already am starting to think about building another one.

Been using the still since Novemnber and starting to get a good feel as to when to make my cuts. Great info in the site. Thanks to all the great advice here I'm starting to get me a decent drop.

[Bushman]

Congratulations, for me the journey (all aspects of it) have been 1/2 the fun. Do you have a build thread? Do you have pictures to share?

[cantbuyathrill]

here's the build, it ain't much to look at I guess but it works. 2" column that connects to a keg (acquired legally, I'm a brewer ) It narrows down to 1/2 and runs through a liebig condensor.

Sorry, I didn't document the build but I will on my next one.


Mostly have just run it as a pot still but I have stuffed the column with copper mesh a few time on spirit runs.

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

Mostly pot still? That can only be run as a pot still.

[cantbuyathrill]

Mostly pot still? That can only be run as a pot still.

Meant I don't always pack it. I'm just making whiskey.

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

Packing it doesn't make it any more then a packed pot still.

[cantbuyathrill]

Packing it doesn't make it any more then a packed pot still.

Thanks. Got it. I understand and have read about the different types of stills and have thoroughly researched and read Making Pure corn whiskey. This is just a pot still. I mis-typed. But I appreciate your clarification.

[W Pappy]

May I ask what size is that liebig what size is the water jacket on that? Not to be nit pickin but what size is the inner tubing in the liebig?

[cantbuyathrill]

May I ask what size is that liebig what size is the water jacket on that? Not to be nit pickin but what size is the inner tubing in the liebig?

No problem. I kinda made this with stuff I had laying around at the time which is why I'm already planning a new build. The length of the leibig is about 20" and it is a 3/4 over 1/2. I used some copper wire inside the jacket to create some turbulence.

[W Pappy]

OK she just looked small in the pic thanks it's a good start for ya anyhow,it takes time you will have a ton of ideas think em thru good.
Give it a run by some of the fellas here they will gladly give some tips.

[cantbuyathrill]

I haven't timed my runs but it seems pretty efficient. A 10 gallon low wines run takes about 3 hours to collect a gallon to a gallon and half after I reach my temps. Spirit runs I have been running a lot slower. I'm still playing around with it but I'm doing this to relax so not in a real hurry.

So far I've got 3 gallons of whiskey all of it aging on charred oak spirals diluted to 65%. I'm really happy how it smells but it's a bit too hot to drink even diluted down to 50%, so I'm guessing I'm still cutting into the heads. But every batch has gotten a little better and I have enjoyed drinking some of the extra white whiskey (diluted down to 45%) with some friends who seem pretty impressed. But who turns down free whiskey?

[W Pappy]

The heads will really hit the tip of your tongue what are you making what grain bill? AG or sugar head?
Sugar heads have a hotness to them and if your going high ABV sugar heads and running fast they get got.
On a strip kick the heat to her and strip er clean,then do your spirit run watered down 40 to 45% ABV.
Run your spirit slow and collect in small jars.Let em air for a day or 2 before cutting mixing and such.

[cantbuyathrill]

The recipe I have been working with primarily is based on bourbon parameters, basically 51% 2 row and 49% flaked maize @ 1.065 OG. To be more specific its about 16 lbs flaked maize and 15 lbs 2 row for a 10-12 gallon batch

I've got 20 gallons of wash ready now so as soon as the weather clears up a bit I'm lookin forward to trying again.