Not the greatest first rum run.

[WhalerDan13]

Have a good bit of experience (6 years)running a reflux. 13 gal sa boiler 4” x 40” ss column. On propane. Makes GREAT neutral ! Took the column off and replaced with a 3 gal ss thumper. In the boiler went 10 gal off molasses / brown sugar wash. (1 gal / 4 lbs respectively). POTENTIAL of 14%. Distillers rum yeast NOT a turbo! 8 days till ferment was done. 10 days to settle. Finished at .99 SG. 15% corrected. Racked off and poured into boiler. In thump leg went about 16oz of “soft” tails from previous run and about 3 qts of the wash that was left (no lees). Brought up to temp in about 2 hours (augmented by two water elements, then turned off when temp achieved) I get better control on gas. Let it run slow to concentrate the fores. Tossed about 300ml. Started collecting at 83ABV slowly went down from there. Finished at 6 hr mark at 35%. Segregating in pint mason jars all the while. EVERYTHING smells like it has tails in it. Naturally more in the end of the run … but where I would consider the middle of the hearts? Not so much …. Can’t figure it out. Beginners UNluck maybe ? Could always rerun thru the column of need be. Any ideas? Or info you may need to make a determination? Thanks ahead of time for the responses. Hope I wasn’t too long winded but I know you need as much info as possible to make an educated stab ….

[WhalerDan13]

Should be 14. Lbs brown sugar

[tiramisu]

I watched a nice video on how to produce or not produce buttery flavours yesterday that probably goes well with rum...



Diacetyl 30-100ppb detectable to taste.

[subbrew]

My guess would that forcing the yeast to 15% caused some esters to be formed that are giving a "tails" taste. Never used a thumper but since you put tails in the thumper it may have picked up the flavor there.

[WhalerDan13]

The yeast sachet said it was tolerant up to 17%. AND I’ve read that some people put so feints or tails in the thumper to bump the final ABV. Your theory about the tails in the thumper was my first thought especially since they say you can “infuse flavor” by using the thumper….. but then why would others say TO use the tails if you’re taking a chance on carrying over some undesirables ….. confused to say the least but thanks for your input !!

[WhalerDan13]

Subbrew…. What would be your thought on final ABV on the wash if it were you ?

[Saltbush Bill]

To high ABV wash,.......... stick to 7-8%.
If its the yeast that I've seen its shit,...... it's turbo like at least,........ that's why it handles those types of ABVs.
No commercial distillery would ever run a wash that high for very good reason.
Stop believing the crap on Youtube and the back of shonkyy yeast packets.
Follow a forum tried n true recipe and you will succeed.

[WhalerDan13]

Don’t get my info from Uboob for just that reason but I’ve heard others say they liked this particular yeast. Suggestions on a replacement ? 1118?

Thanks for your input Saltbush
1118 is Champaign yeast.....not good for Rum.......good for fruits n such.
Plain old cheap store bought bakers yeast will do much better in all ways..

[Yummyrum]

Use bakers (bread) yeast .
Also add more molasses and less sugar .
Tails are absolute shite in Rum .
Agree , keep the ABV around the 8% mark , no higher .

[Saltbush Bill]

Don’t get my info from Uboob for just that reason but I’ve heard others say they liked this particular yeast. Suggestions on a replacement ? 1118?
Thanks for your input Saltbush

1118 is Champaign yeast.....not good for Rum.......good for fruits n such.
Plain old cheap store bought bakers yeast will do much better in all ways..

[WhalerDan13]

Yummy and Saltbush…. Thank you for your input. I will run that crap through my reflux and make more clear and then start again with your suggestions. I’ll check out the recipe section as well for ideas unless you have a good recommendation on a “first time” second try …LOL

[Saltbush Bill]

unless you have a good recommendation on a “first time” second try …LOL

I wont push one over the other, All of them will make good Rum just different styles and methods, find what pleases your tastes.

I watched a nice video on how to produce or not produce buttery flavours yesterday that probably goes well with rum...

Thank you for that Tiramisu, Ive been looking at the speed of ferment, oxygenation and pitching rates for some time now re buttery flavours.
I had not seen that clip before..lot of it over my head....Im no chemistry student... he explains the whole thing very nicely at the very end .

[WhalerDan13]

Yes…. Tiramisu…. Thanks for that …I’m STILL trying to digest that video … given my novice abilities at the present moment, I think I’ll wait to watch it again a few dozen times down the road as my knowledge of a nice dark rum production moves up in ability

[Swamptrout]

You are being too modest SBB, so i will push a rum recipe which is a cracker.

Whalerdan, try SBB all mollasses rum wash which is a winner and super easy.

https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 14&t=71293

[WhalerDan13]

I will check it out after dinner …. Thanks

[NZChris]

If you want to smear tails through your rum, put them in the thumper. If you don't, put them in the pot.

If you want to smear heads through your rum, put them in the pot. If you don't, put them in the thumper.

My preference is to keep them both out of my new make rums and process them in All Feints runs.

I'm not surprised you got off flavors from a 15% ABV wash. I aim for 8% for my rums.

[Broken Jug]

I watched a nice video on how to produce or not produce buttery flavours yesterday that probably goes well with rum...



Diacetyl 30-100ppb detectable to taste.

Watched the video to confusing for this redneck!

Still enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Saltbush Bill]

Watched the video to confusing for this redneck!

This one had trouble dealing with some of it too, watch it anyway and try to follow, the bit you really need to know is right at the end and explained in words that most should understand.

[WhalerDan13]

@Swamp trout … excellent response Sir. I will follow to a T when the next run is planned.
@SBB…. That took some time to write up and I respect your knowledge on the topic. I will follow and if I end up with HALF as good as what I’m reading about, I will be twice as grateful as I am now for your experience and willingness to share. Thank you gentlemen for your time ….

[Saltbush Bill]

DONT discount the others , they make very nice rums too, my recipe is suited to those who have access to plenty of cheap animal / cow/ horse/ /stockfeed grade molasses, that is not always easy to get in many countries or places.

[WhalerDan13]

No I won’t…. I HAVE read that unsulfered molasses is a better choice and that is readily available here where I am. I will deff check out the other recipes as well

Thanks again

[bluc]

What is that yeast is it 493edv? If so its rebranded by lots resellers its cultivated on cane specifically for rum, nothing wrong with the yeast the high abv is the issue.

I have made some nice rum with that particular strain. I got lots honey esters from it.

But like the others i returned to bakers. As I have not matched the flavours i get from bakers and a hot ferment..

[WhalerDan13]

Bluc… thanks for the info. As I’ve said … I need to rethink this rum phase. Not just WHAT I’m doing but what I’m doing it WITH. ALL this info I’m receiving is extremely valuable and I will hope to share my knowledge when I’m worthy of such. Thanks again and I will keep you all posted on the progress although it might be awhile before I try again as I will be traveling off and on in the next few months.

[subbrew]

Subbrew…. What would be your thought on final ABV on the wash if it were you ?

Just because the yeast will tolerate 17% does not mean it will be happy. For sugar based wash such a this I would aim for 9 or 10%. Yeast is happy, not pushed or stressed

[WhalerDan13]

Roger that Sub ! In my limited knowledge I was thinking it was a sugar wash like all my others…. So why should this be any different. My neutrals finish close to 19-21 ABV. But that is through a reflux column and they are CLEAN !! Had no idea there would be as much a difference in a pot. I’m learning and that’s a good thing. Thanks to you guys!!

[Saltbush Bill]

No wash, sugar or not will make a good spirit at that high of an ABV. The only people who will reccomend that are those who sell Turbo type products......they dont care what they tell you as long as they make money from you.

[OtisT]

If you want to smear tails through your rum, put them in the thumper. If you don't, put them in the pot.

If you want to smear heads through your rum, put them in the pot. If you don't, put them in the thumper.

+1 to this. Otis

[WhalerDan13]

What is that yeast is it 493edv? If so its rebranded by lots resellers its cultivated on cane specifically for rum, nothing wrong with the yeast the high abv is the issue.

I have made some nice rum with that particular strain. I got lots honey esters from it.

But like the others i returned to bakers. As I have not matched the flavours i get from bakers and a hot ferment..

Bluc…. Looked at the sachet …E491…

[bluc]

Thats different then the one i was thinking of. Just looking at it on ss website.
Not sure why they would add glucoamalyse to rum usually added to grain to process the beta glucans "gloopy crap" when grain is not properly converted during malting or when cereals are used..

[Saltbush Bill]

Anything marketed by SS has all sorts of shit in it Bluc......looks fancy on the packet, good for marketing.