Greetings!!!

[Det]

Hello Everyone!

Well after what I feel is sufficient blood loss from my eyeballs I thought it was time to register.

When it comes to fermenting beverages, I would consider myself "mid-tier" in experience. I've racked a few carbouys in my time, all but 1 being wine (did a beer run just for the experience). It wasn't until I discovered a still that looked "like an appliance you would have on your counter" that I became intrigued with distilling. I enjoy both rum and brandy and since I feel I have enough experience fermenting, I thought it would be interesting to learn more about distilling. Then I saw the price tag of this "countertop appliance" and thought "Well over 600 bucks when everything is said and done?? and I have to supposedly use their products and flavourings to get good results?? oh hell no! I'm sure I can do this myself if I research enough." So one google search led me here and I've been voraciously reading ever since. Good thing I did.

Links to key posts have been put in my favourites for further review when I decide "it's time" to give it a go myself. I'm really looking forward to those first experiences, those moments of "wow, its just like in the post!" or "ah ha! Now I get what they meant by..." are quite a rush. I enjoy that sense of accomplishment and the springboard to experimentation and self-learning that the initial "YES! I GOT IT TO WORK!!" provides. Thanks to all of you and your contributions I also have great ideas for flavouring and aging so I can make something I know I will enjoy when evening comes and I can unwind.

One piece of advice to fellow novices who have stumbled on this site: FOLLOW THE READING RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SITE! I learned a lot about safety that gave me pause and mentally redesigned what will be my first still as a result. Read cranky's spoonfed post in its entirety. Skim through the novice section for threads that seem applicable to what you want and thoroughly examine the "what not to use" section. Check out some of the proven recipes for ideas on how to get started with what you want to make based on what seems "tasty" to you. Finally, when you are searching read through entire threads that provide matches to what you are looking for. There are valuable nuggets strewn everywhere. They may not be relevant to what you are searching for but they will certainly give you that "oh I hadn't considered that about X" insight.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to beginning construction and making a post in the first success area.

Have a good day everyone!

[Halfbaked]

Welcome Det!

[Bushman]

Welcome to HD, sounds like you followed all our suggested does before asking questions. One thing I would add to your suggestion for newbies is to follow the instructions on organizing information that can be found in the link of my signature page.

[Ridgeville Runner]

Welcome and enjoy the ride,cause it's going to be fun

[Det]

Thank you everyone for the welcome!

Yes, I feel fairly confident that I can get started without having to post. And yes, Bushman, I forgot to mention that organizational link. I did read it and should have mentioned it if one doesn't already have an organizational system.

I am indeed looking forward to the ride, and I hope I can share both my successes and failures here so I can give back for what I have already learned. There is a proven rum recipe I am going to try and I have a nice red wine I want to run and see the results.