getting ready for my first spirit run with new still...any advice..

[sadie33]

how much do you think I need to fill the parrot, like 1/4 cup?

[subbrew]

What size cylinder did you order. I have 100ml and 250 ml sized ones. 100 ml is .42 cups. But a 250 is almost a cup.

[subbrew]

I searched the site in the previous link and see a 12 inch glass test jar. I don't see a volume listed but the picture looks like it is very close to a 100 ml cylinder.

[sadie33]

What size cylinder did you order. I have 100ml and 250 ml sized ones. 100 ml is .42 cups. But a 250 is almost a cup.

It just says 12". I have a plastic parrot I could use as a guide, but I'm thinking the diameter might be different.

hmmm, maybe I will just not add these 3 jars until I get my order. They already sent me a tracking #, pretty quick.

thanks subbrew

[subbrew]

Just a point of semantics. A parrot is a device that you can put under the spout in which the product can collect and then has another spout so it can overflow into a final collection vessel. This allows you to float a hydrometer continually in the output stream to give an ABV reading. It also smears product more due to the parrot holding a mix of what came in previously with what is just coming in. https://vengeancestills.com/wp-content/ ... ose-up.jpg

On the other hand a cylindrical glass or plastic container can be a testing jar or more often they have lines on them for different volumes and those are a graduated cylinder. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BLHCJFN8/

Anxious to hear how the hydrometer vs refractometer readings compare.

[sadie33]

Just a point of semantics. A parrot is a device that you can put under the spout in which the product can collect and then has another spout so it can overflow into a final collection vessel. This allows you to float a hydrometer continually in the output stream to give an ABV reading. It also smears product more due to the parrot holding a mix of what came in previously with what is just coming in. https://vengeancestills.com/wp-content/ ... ose-up.jpg

On the other hand a cylindrical glass or plastic container can be a testing jar or more often they have lines on them for different volumes and those are a graduated cylinder. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BLHCJFN8/

Anxious to hear how the hydrometer vs refractometer readings compare.

thanks for that, I did order the cylindrical glass container, not the parrot. I thought they were the same thing. Parrot is so much easier to say and type. I don't think the one I ordered is as fancy as the one you posted, but it will get the job done.

This is what I ordered.

https://grapegrainandbean.com/product/1 ... -test-jar/

I too am curious to see the difference in readings.

[Deplorable]

That one will do. trial and error will teach you how full to fill it to float the hydrometer without spilling. Usually about 2.5 to 3 inches from the top before putting the hydrometer in.
Don't drop your hydrometer into the cylinder without some in fluid in there to slow it or you will crack the hydrometer. BT, DT

[sadie33]

That one will do. trial and error will teach you how full to fill it to float the hydrometer without spilling. Usually about 2.5 to 3 inches from the top before putting the hydrometer in.
Don't drop your hydrometer into the cylinder without some in fluid in there to slow it or you will crack the hydrometer. BT, DT

I have a trick for that, I fill it, then slowly put it in, let it go then take it out. I put an elastic where the water level is after taking it out. then I know how much to fill it next time w/o spilling it. works every time.

[higgins]

I have a 100 ml grad. cylinder, but it is a bit too short - anything over 82% causes the hydrometer to sit on the bottom. So I 'repurposed' my copper parrot to make one a bit taller so I can read azeo. I left the reducer fitting on it that catches the overflow, but plugged the spout so I don't have to worry about over-filling it slightly. It only takes about 125 ml to fill it.

[sadie33]

I got my cylinder and proof and tralles hydrometer today. If I read and did everything correctly my product was 73%, not 80%.

It read 74% floating in the cylinder. The directions said for 60*-65* subtract 2*. My product was 62* so I figured instead of subtracting 2* I would just subtract 1* making it 73%.

Did I do it right?

[sadie33]

If I did everything right, I ended up with over 1 gal @ 70%. I have 2 oak 2L barrels I was going to age this in, but I threw my rum in one of them. I guess this gives me a good excuse to do an experiment. Do some in the barrel and some in glass with oak cubes. I ages my last batch at 63% and I like it so I will do that again.

[sadie33]

after doing some reading on diluting before aging, I think I will try 55%, seems that might bring out sweeter notes. I didn't have to dilute my last ones because they came out about 63% (collected too many tails I think).

[Deplorable]

When I get home to my laptop, I can send you a link to a TTB PDF document that will give you the full calibration table by °F and ABV for a P&T hydrometer calibrated for 60°F. I find it very helpful because I admittably suck at math. It's quite a lengthy table.

[MooseMan]

If I did everything right, I ended up with over 1 gal @ 70%. I have 2 oak 2L barrels I was going to age this in, but I threw my rum in one of them. I guess this gives me a good excuse to do an experiment. Do some in the barrel and some in glass with oak cubes. I ages my last batch at 63% and I like it so I will do that again.

Nice to get such a good volume out of a spirit run I bet!

I'd agree, 55-60% is good for aging, I shoot for 60% with all mine.

Keep some white and proof it down to drink right away, it sounded like you got nice clean hearts so you should be able to enjoy some as white dog.
And make some sipping cream with some white too!

[sadie33]

When I get home to my laptop, I can send you a link to a TTB PDF document that will give you the full calibration table by °F and ABV for a P&T hydrometer calibrated for 60°F. I find it very helpful because I admittably suck at math. It's quite a lengthy table.

That would be great, thanks! I stink at math too.

[sadie33]

If I did everything right, I ended up with over 1 gal @ 70%. I have 2 oak 2L barrels I was going to age this in, but I threw my rum in one of them. I guess this gives me a good excuse to do an experiment. Do some in the barrel and some in glass with oak cubes. I ages my last batch at 63% and I like it so I will do that again.

Nice to get such a good volume out of a spirit run I bet!

I'd agree, 55-60% is good for aging, I shoot for 60% with all mine.

Keep some white and proof it down to drink right away, it sounded like you got nice clean hearts so you should be able to enjoy some as white dog.
And make some sipping cream with some white too!

I was not expecting so much, but I have also never done a charge that large I'm really lovin' this new still. I guess maybe I'll shoot for 60% and if I go a little over it will be right where I want to be.

I usually save a some white to replace what the angles take in my barrel. I think I will have quite a bit left over though, so maybe some sippin' cream is just what I'll do

[Deplorable]

When I get home to my laptop, I can send you a link to a TTB PDF document that will give you the full calibration table by °F and ABV for a P&T hydrometer calibrated for 60°F. I find it very helpful because I admittably suck at math. It's quite a lengthy table.

That would be great, thanks! I stink at math too.

https://www.ttb.gov/images/pdfs/foia_Ga ... able_1.pdf
Save it to your computer.

[sadie33]

Thank you Deplorable!!

[bilgriss]

I'm very impressed at the detailed level of notes some of you take during the spirit run. I usually end up just checking on generalities and make sure things seem to be behaving normally, then focus on the details when I'm later going through the jars collected, after a rest period.

Having said that, I would say in terms of generalities, I'd expect to see that 80% dropping off after the first five or six jars, hovering longer in the 70 range, and then more evenly drop off jar to jar to where you ended up after the half-way point. Every still and recipe behaves a little different, but that's a pattern that seems consistent on my setup.

[Deplorable]

Its been about 7 months since this spirit run on your (then new) still. How did this turn out?

[MooseMan]

Its been about 7 months since this spirit run on your (then new) still. How did this turn out?

I was wondering that the other day actually!
I remember Sadie saying she was going to put some in glass and some into a small barrel, so I wondered where it got to.

[sadie33]

Hi guys, so I just pulled these both out to try. Last year when I was aging in the little cask I checked, weighed and added weekly. This summer was crazy so none of that happened. Here are the results of my experiment:
1. Whiskey aged in small cask was almost 1/2 gone
Whiskey aged in gallon jar with cubes 100% still there
2. Whiskey aged in small cask was darker in color, had a bit of a bite and bold flavor
Whiskey aged in glass was lighter in color, was smooth and mellow flavor
3. When I blended the two together is was amazing!!

I would post a picture, but my camera battery is charging I can add it later.

Now I don't know weather to top off my cask with some white I have and keep again, or add it all (whiskey from cask, whiskey from jar and left over white) into one big jar with the cubes and keep aging...

[Deplorable]

Now I don't know weather to top off my cask with some white I have and keep again, or add it all (whiskey from cask, whiskey from jar and left over white) into one big jar with the cubes and keep aging...

That is a conundrum..
I can tell you what I would do, but its ultimately up to you. YOU are the creator, so you get to decide what to do with your creation.
I would add the white to the barrel so you can experience what the barrel can contribute on subsequent fills, and blend the cask aged and the glass aged spirits in glass and keep letting it develop as you enjoy it.

[Deplorable]

OR....
You could blend the two aged spirits together in the cask and put it on the bar back to draw from, and put oak in the white, and let it age, and top off your cask with it. Start your own Solera. Blend the two aged, top off the cask, put Oak in the white, add some to the glass aged, and get busy making more white to keep the solera going...

[sadie33]

OR....
You could blend the two aged spirits together in the cask and put it on the bar back to draw from, and put oak in the white, and let it age, and top off your cask with it. Start your own Solera. Blend the two aged, top off the cask, put Oak in the white, add some to the glass aged, and get busy making more white to keep the solera going...

hmmmmm this sounds interesting... Instead of topping off the cask with white, use the one aged in glass...