1.5 vs 2 vs 2.5 run ???

[TXAKN]

Just wondering what this all means and where I fit in. I have an 8 gallon pot with 3 gallon thumper, that can't be removed until parts come in. 1st run would be considered 1 or 1.25? 2nd run would be 2.5 or 3?
If I do 3 stripping runs followed by spirit run, the spirit would be considered what??

[Tammuz]

A spirit run would be considered a spirit run. For your spirit run you might consider using your thumper as a doubler,less smearing.

[OtisT]

I don’t think there is an official definition and I don’t hear things described much by numbers except for perhaps a 1.5 run which has a loose definition. At the end of the day, it don’t matter what you call it and there are many different process variations that make a label like this hard to define.

Here how I would break this down using numbers.

1 - A single pot still distillation. Fresh ferment in the boiler.
1.5 - A single pot or pot and thumper run with A mix of fresh ferment and low wines. Either a mix of ferment and low wines in the boiler of a pot still or more common for me is low wines in the boiler and fresh ferment in the thumper.
2 - The standard strip and spirit run. Strip run(s) with fresh ferment in the boiler, then a spirit run with low wines only in the boiler.
2.5 - I have no idea. Maybe a #2 with fresh ferment in the thumper on the spirit run?
3 - a tripple pot still run. Strip run with fresh ferment, spirit run with low wines, second spirit run with what was collected from the first spirit run.

I’m not sure where folks would put a single pot w/thumper run? Is it a single pass (1) just on a more complex still, or perhaps they call it a 1.5 because of the second distillation of half the charge? I don’t think I’d call that a 2 because half the ferment only gets one distillation, unless of course you have water only in the thumper in which case you could call it a 2.

There are other variables that can make a simple definition like this hard to nail down. Things like using feints, multiple thumpers, etc.

I’m just enjoying the conversation here. I don’t think you will find many using these numbered terms and if so, there will always be someone who has a different opinion of what makes something one number vs another. I’d not get too hung up on it.

[Saltbush Bill]

Imo the 1 and 1.5.thing apply only to pot stills......no thumper.

[NZChris]

The usual reason for using a thumper is that you don't have to strip as the product comes off close to barrel proof.

[Bolverk]

I’m not sure where folks would put a single pot w/thumper run? Is it a single pass (1) just on a more complex still, or perhaps they call it a 1.5 because of the second distillation of half the charge? I don’t think I’d call that a 2 because half the ferment only gets one distillation, unless of course you have water only in the thumper in which case you could call it a 2.

For me this depends on whats the thumper.

If the thumper is a low abv ie water or beer/wine the abv would be closer to a 1.5 run. If the thumper is full of low wines or feints then it would be closer to 2 agai. In terms of abv output. The flavor profile is gonna be different.

[TXAKN]

I don’t think there is an official definition and I don’t hear things described much by numbers except for perhaps a 1.5 run which has a loose definition. At the end of the day, it don’t matter what you call it and there are many different process variations that make a label like this hard to define.

Here how I would break this down using numbers.

1 - A single pot still distillation. Fresh ferment in the boiler.
1.5 - A single pot or pot and thumper run with A mix of fresh ferment and low wines. Either a mix of ferment and low wines in the boiler of a pot still or more common for me is low wines in the boiler and fresh ferment in the thumper.
2 - The standard strip and spirit run. Strip run(s) with fresh ferment in the boiler, then a spirit run with low wines only in the boiler.
2.5 - I have no idea. Maybe a #2 with fresh ferment in the thumper on the spirit run?
3 - a tripple pot still run. Strip run with fresh ferment, spirit run with low wines, second spirit run with what was collected from the first spirit run.

I’m not sure where folks would put a single pot w/thumper run? Is it a single pass (1) just on a more complex still, or perhaps they call it a 1.5 because of the second distillation of half the charge? I don’t think I’d call that a 2 because half the ferment only gets one distillation, unless of course you have water only in the thumper in which case you could call it a 2.

There are other variables that can make a simple definition like this hard to nail down. Things like using feints, multiple thumpers, etc.

I’m just enjoying the conversation here. I don’t think you will find many using these numbered terms and if so, there will always be someone who has a different opinion of what makes something one number vs another. I’d not get too hung up on it.

Something I've heard mentioned on many YouTube channels. Figured the thumper would make it similar to 1.5 for 1 and done runs but it seems it's more like 1.25 that needs a 2nd go to clean up.
Thanks for your input.

[NZChris]

Something I've heard mentioned on many YouTube channels. Figured the thumper would make it similar to 1.5 for 1 and done runs but it seems it's more like 1.25 that needs a 2nd go to clean up.
Thanks for your input.

Get your cuts right and a thumper should give you fine product at barrel proof.

Treat Youtubers who tell you otherwise with suspicion. Youtubers don't have to pass distilling exams before they are allowed to post.

[higgins]

...
2.5 - I have no idea. Maybe a #2 with fresh ferment in the thumper on the spirit run?
...

I just did a bourbon that I would call a 2.5.
The stripping runs were done with beer in the boiler and mash in the thumper (1.5). Then I did a spirit run on those low wines.

[Stags]

I strip and spirit with the thump. It’s a rare batch that doesn’t make barrel proof. I think of it as 3x distilled- 1.5+1.5. Plenty of headroom in the thump also means I rarely if ever puke into my condenser.

[TXAKN]

I strip and spirit with the thump. It’s a rare batch that doesn’t make barrel proof. I think of it as 3x distilled- 1.5+1.5. Plenty of headroom in the thump also means I rarely if ever puke into my condenser.

So do the stripping runs smell and taste so bad that no cut can be made out of 25 1/2 - 1 pint jars that took 9 hours? Total of 1gal 1pint. Started 80% ended 34% avg 61% from 6.5gal, cleared by racking 2 times over 30+ days,12.6%abv orange must. Solids in thumper with a pint of the liquid, microplained zest hung in tea strainer, but fell, from the outlet to the condenser.

[SW_Shiner]

9 hours is a heck of a long time for a stripping run, especially for only 6.5 gal. Do you have the option to increase power?

[TXAKN]

9 hours is a heck of a long time for a stripping run, especially for only 6.5 gal. Do you have the option to increase power?

Was supposed to be 1 and done, I thought.

[Stags]

I strip and spirit with the thump. It’s a rare batch that doesn’t make barrel proof. I think of it as 3x distilled- 1.5+1.5. Plenty of headroom in the thump also means I rarely if ever puke into my condenser.

So do the stripping runs smell and taste so bad that no cut can be made out of 25 1/2 - 1 pint jars that took 9 hours? Total of 1gal 1pint. Started 80% ended 34% avg 61% from 6.5gal, cleared by racking 2 times over 30+ days,12.6%abv orange must. Solids in thumper with a pint of the liquid, microplained zest hung in tea strainer, but fell, from the outlet to the condenser.

This is a question of desired barreling ABV vs starting mash/ wash abv more than anything.

When I started out doing UJSSM, my washes were 10% and I could get an acceptable proof and taste with a one and done through a vevor with thump.

I’ve since graduated to a copper Cadillac and all grain mashes/ washes. All grain honey bear with a mash abv of 5% and scotches with 3-4%. I need the two passes through the still and thump to get to a barreling abv of 60%.

Your stripping runs should not take that long- I can do mine in 3 hrs with average temps and I’m doing 10 gals/ run

[TXAKN]

I ran low and slow thinking 1 and done with thumper instead of doing strip/spirit run. I know better now and will modify my rig to remove thumper for stripping runs and use for it for spirit runs.

[NZChris]

I ran low and slow thinking 1 and done with thumper instead of doing strip/spirit run....

That is what you should be able to do with a thumper, except that it doesn't have to be run as slow as you did. Put wash in the thumper and the pot and run it into around twenty jars, then choose your heart cut. The heart cut should turn out to be barrel proof or higher.

[SW_Shiner]

Haggy's Pot Still+Thumper calculator is a good tool to help see how your gear can run with many different parameters. Also gives a good estimate of how long things should take. It can take a bit to get used to it and understand it, but once you get it, its great to play around with the numbers how see the effects certain changes make.