New Members First Post

[StuieMac59]

Greetings All! I stumbled across this incredible forum while looking for some obscure information about safe wood options for aging rum. I'm an extreme novice with a simple stainless pot still, with a copper riser and downslope, and an optional thumper.

I saw an ad scroll across my social media page about 18 months ago and thought to myself "That looks like an interesting possible hobby", so I put the simple still on my wish list for Christmas and it showed up, much to my surprise. I live in the South Eastern U.S.A. region now, but have lived in many parts of the country. I'm going at this hobby slowly with a type of read/learn, experiment, read/learn cycle and have just run my 6th batch of molasses wash for rum(?). I'd love to build up the skills and tools to make some other more complex batches and spirits but am keenly aware of many of the associated challenges. I'm looking foward to reading through this forum until my eyes bleed, and continuing my learn, experiment, learn cycle.

Thanks in advance for accepting me into fantastic group and forum.
Scott