A side note: I’m at ~ 7000 ft elevation so my temps and power % will probably be much different than anyone at lower elevations. On average water boils at 93.2 C (199.8 F).
Equipment
6 L LM packed reflux still with direct electric element and agitator.
30 L Robobrew (RIMS style mashtun that heats and recirculates wort)
100 ml collection beakers
Inputs (using a 4:1 L/kg ratio or 2:1 lbs/gallon)
4 kg of base malt barley
16 L water
Yeast of different types
Mash process
Heat water to strike temp of 68 C (154 F), add grain and recirculate water for 60 min at 65 C (149 F). Transfer everything for an on-grain fermentation to a 24 L (~6.5 gallon) bucket. Let cool to specific yeast pitch temp. Ferment for 5 days.
Distillation process.
Run 1 (day 6) Strip run: Transfer wash with a small amount of grain to still. Turn on agitator and do a fast stripping run at max power with no reflux. Collect till running distillate is 3-5% ABV (at parrot).
Run 2 (day 7) Neutral Run: add low wines from first run and top up with wash and small amount of grain to reach 6 L fill line. Turn on agitator and heat up at 100% (2 kw) until temp starts to rise at bottom of column. Turn power down to 60%. When temp begins to rise at top of column turn down to 40%. When distillate begins to flow collect 5-10 ml of foreshots then close needle valve for 100% reflux. Let stabilize for 30 min. Open needle valve to get 1 drop/sec flow, collect heads cut until top of column temp = boiling point ethanol (for me at 7000ft this is about 72.3 C [162 F]). Add heads to feints jar. Close needle valve Stabilize for 30 min. Collect 100 ml of 95% ABV neutral. After 100 ml are collected open needle valve 100% and collect remaining distillate until 3-5% abv at parrot.
Run 3 (day
Whiskey run: Add “feints” and low wines from Run 2 to boiler and top with wash and a small amount of grain to reach 6 L fill line. Turn on agitator and heat up at 100% (2 kw) until temp starts to rise at bottom of column. Turn power down to 60%. When temp begins to rise at top of column turn down to 40%. Run slow with 90% reflux or as needed. When distillate begins to flow collect foreshots until top of column reads 72 C (161.6 F) and discard. Close needle valve and stabilize for 15 min. Open needle valve to collect heads at 1 drop/sec using separate jars for any jumps in temp or beaker capacity until top of column reads 75 C (167 F). Collect hearts at 2 drops/sec until top of column reads 87 C (188.6). At 87.1 C begin tails collection in separate jars based on temp jumps or beaker capacity. Collect until top of column reads 90 C (194 F) and end run.Post distillation process:
Neutral: Verify abv of 95% (190 proof), dilute to 40%, let sit for 5 weeks.
Whiskey: Add heads and tails by taste but in general do a very "narrow" whiskey. Verify ABV (usually 60-65% abv), add toasted oak spiral (remove after 2 weeks). Dilute to 44% abv and let sit for 3 additional weeks.
Specific trial notes and sensory analysis to follow...