Red/Purple Spirit
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Red/Purple Spirit
I’m in Appalachia/NC, and bought some locally sourced red wine. I always use an AG recipe handed down for several generations. Today I got the idea to add 1 gallon of this locally sourced red wine to my thumper. I run a 30 gallon copper pot with copper thump and worm. I never infuse Bc I usually am after a bourbon white dog to age since that’s my purpose for distilling. This time since I had a new white oak charred small barrel I decided what the heck I’ll give it a try and see if the flavor comes through when aged. To my complete disbelief the distillate has came out COMPLETELY red/purple. Not a slight tint. The proof is hanging around 170 at about 1.5-2gallons made so far. I average usually 7-9 gallons depending. I have NEVER seen any spirit come out anything other than clear with exception to tainted blue from dirty copper, foggy, and once yellow from a brandy. I’m really interested in hearing anyones thoughts here. Is this a thing? Has anyone else seen this? Could it be artificial coloring from wine carrying over from thumper ? Any advice is welcome. Thanks for all your help over the years guys and sound advice. Love you all - moonshinerJay.
- Yummyrum
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Re: Red/Purple Spirit
I’ll start the guess’n ..: probably completely off , but someones gotta have a crack
You say you have wine in the Thumper and whats coming out is …. Wine coloured .
First guess is you got your Thumper in/out lines mucked up and blowing wine out the worm .
But your collecting at 170 proof , 85% abv … that seems real high for a Thumper iff’n it was connected correctly …. So can’t possibly be connected wrong .
Wouldn’t mind seeing a pic of your setup and a pic of the distillate to get a feel for the level of red / purpleness .

You say you have wine in the Thumper and whats coming out is …. Wine coloured .
First guess is you got your Thumper in/out lines mucked up and blowing wine out the worm .
But your collecting at 170 proof , 85% abv … that seems real high for a Thumper iff’n it was connected correctly …. So can’t possibly be connected wrong .
Wouldn’t mind seeing a pic of your setup and a pic of the distillate to get a feel for the level of red / purpleness .
My recommended goto .
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
Re: Red/Purple Spirit
Interesting. Be curious to see how it tastes!
I believe you mistyped your still size, as 30 gallons is considered the largest boiler capacity for the hobby level.
You might check out The Rules we live by
I believe you mistyped your still size, as 30 gallons is considered the largest boiler capacity for the hobby level.
You might check out The Rules we live by
Through the magic of alchemy, our spirits live on.
Re: Red/Purple Spirit
Is thumper-puking a thing?
- Saltbush Bill
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