Stripping Run Spirit Run Definition

[Stonecutter]

I have seen some confusion in the forum regarding the definitions of a stripping run versus a spirit run and this time I thought I’d actually add something of substance rather than my own sly quips into the forum. I hope this post is intelligible and articulated enough to provide some information to somebody and I gladly welcome any criticism and critiques

There are all manner of blending and re-distilling that can be done but the object of this topic is to shed some light on the two main and simple processes which we hobbyists are concerned with. A stripping run and a spirit run.

A stripping run is performed at a fast collection speed and considered as any run that will be put back into the boiler for later distillation. It is used in the distillation process to eliminate some of the unwanted congeners trapped in the wash/wort while at the same time boosting ABV. A forescut is usually taken during the stripping run and the rest of the distillate, defined as “low wines”, is collected into one large vessel. In order to get the most out of the wash or wort most hobbyists will collect the distillate until the total volume equals 30% ABV or lower and many hobbyists will strip until the distillate coming out of the product condenser is around 5% ABV. It is recommended to distill the boiler charge UNTIL THE TOTAL COLLECTED VOLUME OF THE STRIPPING RUN IS EQUAL TO A MINIMUM 40% ABV.
Important safety tip: Never charge a boiler with anything over 40%ABV.
In order to reduce flavor profiles and/or excess oils from being carried over into the spirit run some of the hobbyists stripping wash for a “neutral” spirit will add water to dilute the spirit instead of using the tails. It generally takes 3-4 striping runs to properly charge the same boiler for a spirit run.

The spirit run is considered as any distillation process in which the majority of the spirit is kept for consumption. Spirit runs can be a single distillation or a double, triple etc. Even if you add fresh wash to the boiler charge along with your low wines; if you plan on saving what you collect for consumption this is still considered a spirit run. Spirit runs are performed at a slow collection speed in order to reduce “smearing” and the distillate is usually collected into many jars which we call “cuts”. However, if you’ve already taken a forescut during your stripping run your heads cut can be greatly reduced maybe even eliminated for the spirit run. If you are unsure about cuts the following link may be of some help…. viewtopic.php?t=13261

It is helpful to note that there is no all encompassing collection speed for either runs. Collection speeds will vary depending upon the efficiency of the product condenser, size of still and a few other factors. What is important to remember is that you don’t overpower your product condenser and to prevent the contents “puking” into the still.

If you’re just starting down the rabbit hole or if it’s a new style of spirit that you’re making it is highly recommended during your spirit run to collect a small amount into a bunch of jars. As you chase the white rabbit you may be capable of adjusting the manner in which you collect, for example, collecting all your hearts into one jar and late heads and early tails in a few smaller jars.

To this I’ll add the hybrid “1.5” method. In this fashion one would perform a stripping run and then add the collected low wines and enough fresh wash to charge their boiler to then perform a spirit run.

[Steve Broady]

Thanks for this. It seems so simple and obvious once you’re used to it that I’m sure some of us forget there was a time when we didn’t know it.

I have a question about the foreshots cut. You mention making a cut during the striping run. I’ve seen others that collect everything, and then only remove foreshots during a spirit run. I’m in the latter camp, on the theory that with a pot still it’s smearing like mad in a stripping run and I don’t want to pull off good product along with the fores.

Maybe there isn’t a right or wrong way, but it would be interesting and informative to hear the logic behind when one makes a foreshots cut.

[Bradster68]

Nice write up SC.I don't make any cuts during the stripping run. I do it all on the slow run thinking I'm getting better separation . That's just the way I do it.
But you raise some interesting points. I think I should be collecting a little longer during my strip though, ii usually stop at 15 to 20 abv at spout

[Stonecutter]

I look at the forescut like a courtesy flush.
Ya gotta get rid the shit sooner or later

[Buffalo]

Great write up Stonecutter. I believe I have been stopping a little too soon on my stripping runs. I have typically collected until the output of the product condenser is about 12% ABV and the total collection in my bucket is around 35% ABV. I do typically pitch the foreshots from the stripping run.

[jonnys_spirit]

I look at the forescut like a courtesy flush.
Ya gotta get rid the shit sooner or later

The sooner the better! Unless you’re the one that prefers to not?

[shadylane]

If distilling something more than once.
The first distillation is "usually" a stripping run.
The object of which is to recover as much alcohol and wanted character as possible.
Most folks strip fast, but that isn't always best. Pick a speed that you and the still are comfortable with.
Everything depends on what you want to accomplish and how much time and effort expended.

When I think of the term "spirit run"
To me, that means the last distillation.

[subbrew]

Great write up. I will add that often a 1.5 is done when doing a smaller batch to ensure your heating element is covered. On my keg boiler it takes about 3.5 gal to cover the element. On a normal stripping run (11 to 12 gallon charge) I get 2.5 to three gallons so not quite enough. If I do say an 15 gallon ferment and was very careful to not puke I could get at max 4.5 gallons of low wines. Doing a spirit run on 4.5 gallons I would worry about exposing the element. So instead to a 12 gallon stripping run, get 3 gallons of low wines, add 3 gallons of wash and I don't worry any more about exposing the element.

[Berserk]

Great initiative Stonecutter!

I think we should update the Wiki with this "new" definition, because the current Wiki entry seems to lean a bit towards commercial distilling.

Here's the entré definition from the Homedistiller Wiki - Spirit Run:
"During double distillation, low wines are run through a spirit still in what is known as a spirit run. This is normally done with a pot still which is less efficient than a column still and therefore requires multiple distillations to produce a palatable spirit. However, it is possible but less common to run low wines through a column still."

Seems a bit off to me. Usually us homedistillers don't have specific spirit stills and it's actually quite common to use a reflux still during the spirit run.

[NZChris]

Stripping run methods shouldn't be bundled together as though 'one size fits all'

Stripping runs should be designed to get the optimum result for the product that you are making on the day. Rum strips should be done differently to whiskey, various types of fruit, vodka, neutral, etc..

Start by deciding what your end product is supposed to taste like, then do the research to find how it should be stripped to maximise the flavors that you do want and minimize the flavors that you don't want.

[shadylane]

Stripping run methods shouldn't be bundled together as though 'one size fits all'

There Ya go.
It all depends on what's being distilled.

[NZChris]

It's the same with spirit runs, the advantages of running slow depends on what you are making.

I often see advice to spirit run slow for making flavorsome products that I get my best results from by running quite fast.

[LordL]

Thanks for this. It seems so simple and obvious once you’re used to it that I’m sure some of us forget there was a time when we didn’t know it.

I have a question about the foreshots cut. You mention making a cut during the striping run. I’ve seen others that collect everything, and then only remove foreshots during a spirit run. I’m in the latter camp, on the theory that with a pot still it’s smearing like mad in a stripping run and I don’t want to pull off good product along with the fores.

Maybe there isn’t a right or wrong way, but it would be interesting and informative to hear the logic behind when one makes a foreshots cut.

I have noticed that even during a stripping run, you get product coming out already at 65-68°C at the highest point in the vapour path. The temp rises quite quickly here but up to a certain level, I just toss those first centilitres to get less chance of it to bleed into the spirit run.

Calculating solvability is kind of complex if the congeners are unknown. The less obvious crap I have in the spirit run, the higher the chance is of success. There is still a chance my approach also does nothing, but I don't have the time to put up a serious study, proofing it gives me any advantage.
It's just a chemists hunch.

[Stonecutter]

Stripping run methods shouldn't be bundled together as though 'one size fits all'

There Ya go.
It all depends on what's being distilled.

Partially Edited to reflect that point. Thanks guys

It is helpful to note that there is no all encompassing collection speed for either runs. Collection speeds will vary depending upon the efficiency of the product condenser, size of still and a few other factors. What is important to remember is that you don’t overpower your product condenser and to prevent the contents “puking” into the still.

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

I don't take a fores cut anymore. But I've never in my life added jars 1 or 2 into the keeper jar, anyway.

[Dougmatt]

Great post. My suggestion would be to add the “why” for each method something like:

Overall: a double distilled product is often desirable over a single run to refine flavors via better removal of unwanted congeners and impurities as well as land the final Abv at desired barrel aging strength. A further perceived benefit of a multi run process is a slightly larger or better final product volume achieved by easier to distinguish cut lines, as well as less offensive late heads and early tails used in blending for barrel aging.

Stripping run: this run is primarily designed to reduce the overall time required to produce a double (or triple) distilled product from a large volume. For example, if a single batch run done low and slow to produce a quality spirit takes 16 hours and a stripping run takes 3 hours (these are my approximate numbers on my 5G pot still) then the time to do 3 strips and 1 spirit would be 3x3+16 = 25 hours versus doing 3 single runs which would be 3x16 = 48 hours. This equates to a 23 hour time saving ignoring cool down cycles and slightly lower spirit run times on single runs.

Spirit run: this run is designed to creat the final drinking product and optimized to create the final flavor profile as well as the desired output Abv for aging program by separation and removal of unwanted impurities. This is generally accomplished by adjusting run speed slower to reduce / control smearing such that the heart flavor profile is optimized as well as catching well separated head and tail fractions for possible future blending and /or reuse in later production runs. Further the output ABV is a function of input ABV. To achieve this there are many different approaches including combine only striped low wines to the run, adding some wash to the run (referred to as a 1.5 run), and adding prior generation feints to the run (used to adjust input Abv and increase output volume)

One other note, on stripping runs some people take a fores cut on them, some don’t. I vary my process based on what I’m making, but generally only cut fores on spirit runs.

[EricTheRed]

I don't take a fores cut anymore. But I've never in my life added jars 1 or 2 into the keeper jar, anyway.

Depends if my totally offgrid neighbors need firelighters (they usually do)

[Bushman]

I don't take a fores cut anymore. But I've never in my life added jars 1 or 2 into the keeper jar, anyway.

Depends if my totally offgrid neighbors need firelighters (they usually do)

I save fores for various other uses.

[EricTheRed]

Bushman
Care to share?
Cleaner for ?