Chicken breast in the still

[Dan P.]

Has anyone put a chicken breast (or any other type of meat) in the still head? I know it's sometimes done in the production of mezcal and a few South East Asian spirits.

Seems like a very peculiar thing to do, but I like that about it and I might try it. A bit like hanging a gold coin in the still head as they do in the Balkans, except a) amore affordable and b) might actually do something.

Anyone tried it? Any discernible effect?

[PalCabral]

Why?

It sounds very much like these silly superstitious or barbarically old traditions that some people just feel they need to carry on with. Throwing a sheep off the church tower, put a worm in the bottle, piss in the Carlsberg beer vat before bottling, etc.

I've basically stopped eating chicken breast but chicken thighs or a whole chicken I don't mind throwing on the BBQ. Eat meat, drink grains, that's my philosophy. So, no. Never tried it, and I probably never will.

[greggn]

Has anyone put a chicken breast (or any other type of meat) in the still head? I know it's sometimes done in the production of mezcal and a few South East Asian spirits.

Mezcal de Pechuga. I believe NZChris has tried it.

[zach]

Here is a post on it
viewtopic.php?t=71406

[Dan P.]

Here is a post on it
viewtopic.php?t=71406

Thanks! I'm sad to see the Goose Eye is no longer amongst us. What a legend.

[Dan P.]

Has anyone put a chicken breast (or any other type of meat) in the still head? I know it's sometimes done in the production of mezcal and a few South East Asian spirits.

Mezcal de Pechuga. I believe NZChris has tried it.

I've seen his posts on it but haven't seen where he comments on what the effect of it actually is.

[Dan P.]

Why?

It sounds very much like these silly superstitious or barbarically old traditions that some people just feel they need to carry on with. Throwing a sheep off the church tower, put a worm in the bottle, piss in the Carlsberg beer vat before bottling, etc.

I've basically stopped eating chicken breast but chicken thighs or a whole chicken I don't mind throwing on the BBQ. Eat meat, drink grains, that's my philosophy. So, no. Never tried it, and I probably never will.

This is a forum for people interested in distilling potable alcohol in all its many forms. If something doesn't interest you, you are under no obligation to engage with it. But, to answer your question; because I can and I will, and why not? It's a hobby.

[PalCabral]

Why?

It sounds very much like these silly superstitious or barbarically old traditions that some people just feel they need to carry on with. Throwing a sheep off the church tower, put a worm in the bottle, piss in the Carlsberg beer vat before bottling, etc.

I've basically stopped eating chicken breast but chicken thighs or a whole chicken I don't mind throwing on the BBQ. Eat meat, drink grains, that's my philosophy. So, no. Never tried it, and I probably never will.

This is a forum for people interested in distilling potable alcohol in all its many forms. If something doesn't interest you, you are under no obligation to engage with it. But, to answer your question; because I can and I will, and why not? It's a hobby.

Of course you can, my friend, You do you. No judgement from my part, what so ever.

But why anyone would want to add meat to a wash of mash of fruit or cereals, I dont know. It is strange to me. I see no reason for it. So excuse me for question it. It is a free forum for people interested in distilling, you and me. In this case, I am interested in why anyone would add fowl to the boiler to make a potable distillate. Not to pass a judgement, no matter how much neanderthal it may seem.

[BALDR]

Why?

It sounds very much like these silly superstitious or barbarically old traditions that some people just feel they need to carry on with. Throwing a sheep off the church tower, put a worm in the bottle, piss in the Carlsberg beer vat before bottling, etc.

I've basically stopped eating chicken breast but chicken thighs or a whole chicken I don't mind throwing on the BBQ. Eat meat, drink grains, that's my philosophy. So, no. Never tried it, and I probably never will.

Some in Mexico would consider it narrow minded, Alan B does a run every year.

[zach]

Here is another thread along the same lines from Russia with meat broth in boiler to improve Vodka

viewtopic.php?p=7777030#p7777030

[Yummyrum]

Here is another thread along the same lines from Russia with meat broth in boiler to improve Vodka

viewtopic.php?p=7777030#p7777030

Funny you went there Zach . I thought about it and typed it but backed out .
Chicken in a still is one thing . That Russian broth is whole next level of quirky .

[Copperhead road]

Chicken in a still is one thing . That Russian broth is whole next level of quirky .

Sooo funny yummy

[PalCabral]

Why?

It sounds very much like these silly superstitious or barbarically old traditions that some people just feel they need to carry on with. Throwing a sheep off the church tower, put a worm in the bottle, piss in the Carlsberg beer vat before bottling, etc.

I've basically stopped eating chicken breast but chicken thighs or a whole chicken I don't mind throwing on the BBQ. Eat meat, drink grains, that's my philosophy. So, no. Never tried it, and I probably never will.

Some in Mexico would consider it narrow minded, Alan B does a run every year.

The point I was trying to make is that using a bird in your still either 1) must have some scientific benefit on the taste, that I am unaware of, or 2) it’s part of some type of cultural ritual.

If there’s a scientific benefit to adding a bird to the boiler in a run, I would really like to know what it is. I am curious.

If it’s a ritual of sorts, I think it’s a silly ritual. Just as I think many other old historic rituals are silly. It’s one thing that people once upon a time thought the coming harvest would be good if they sacrificed a virgin or threw a live sheep off a church tower, but it’s 2026 and I think we know better. Just because something silly is an old tradition doesnt make it less silly. IMHO. If my opinion offends someone, it’s not my intension.

Alan Bishop is a great distiller that I admire, but his interest for the spiritual and obscure is not something I share. I am 100% sure he’s not offended by my opinion.

[Dan P.]

If there’s a scientific benefit to adding a bird to the boiler in a run, I would really like to know what it is. I am curious.

Literally the purpose of my post!

I mean, if you want to be all modern and scientific, there is literally zero possibility that adding something to the vapour path will have no effect. Whether the effect be big or small, good or bad is the question!

And, with respect, your judgement of some things as being barbaric or superstitious sounds a bit hollow when the discussion is predicated on the socially mandated consumption of a known neurotoxin. If you truly wanted to turn your back on human foibles, go distil azeotrope ethanol and use it only for cleaning. You know?

[Dan P.]

Here is another thread along the same lines from Russia with meat broth in boiler to improve Vodka

viewtopic.php?p=7777030#p7777030

Fantastic thread, thank you!

[Dan P.]

Some in Mexico would consider it narrow minded, Alan B does a run every year.

Does Ali B have a username so I can search his posts?

[PalCabral]

Literally the purpose of my post!

I mean, if you want to be all modern and scientific, there is literally zero possibility that adding something to the vapour path will have no effect. Whether the effect be big or small, good or bad is the question!

And, with respect, your judgement of some things as being barbaric or superstitious sounds a bit hollow when the discussion is predicated on the socially mandated consumption of a known neurotoxin. If you truly wanted to turn your back on human foibles, go distil azeotrope ethanol and use it only for cleaning. You know?

Ethanol doesnt have to distilled to azeo to be used for cleaning. 70% abv is enough to kill bacteria.

[PalCabral]

Some in Mexico would consider it narrow minded, Alan B does a run every year.

Does Ali B have a username so I can search his posts?

Not sure if Alan Bishop checks in here but yo can find his talking head videos etc on this youtube channel:
https://youtube.com/@hipgnosis2?si=_E8w8MNn2TnKFYON

[Dan P.]

Some in Mexico would consider it narrow minded, Alan B does a run every year.

Does Ali B have a username so I can search his posts?

Not sure if Alan Bishop checks in here but yo can find his talking head videos etc on this youtube channel:
https://youtube.com/@hipgnosis2?si=_E8w8MNn2TnKFYON

much obliged!

[PalCabral]

Some in Mexico would consider it narrow minded, Alan B does a run every year.

Does Ali B have a username so I can search his posts?

Not sure if Alan Bishop checks in here but yo can find his talking head videos etc on this youtube channel:
https://youtube.com/@hipgnosis2?si=_E8w8MNn2TnKFYON

much obliged!

Absolutely no problem. If we got started on the wrong foot, it was not my intention and I have no wish for it to continue.

[Dan P.]

Absolutely no problem. If we got started on the wrong foot, it was not my intention and I have no wish for it to continue.

No worries chef. It's the internet; no harm, no foul!

[BALDR]

Hopefully these might shine some light into the dark.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/ ... utm_source

https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drin ... utm_source

[Dan P.]

Hopefully these might shine some light into the dark.

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/ ... utm_source

https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drin ... utm_source

Thank you! The second link is quite informative- it kind of belies that the addition of the meat to the vapour path is at least 50% mystical (the horny rooster), and in the first link it's quoted;

''Yet, Mena’s quick to note that the fruit, grains, spices and protein balance each other out. He’s sampled a pechuga made with chicken breast alone, and describes the end result as “quite gamy” and “kind of like unsalted meat.”''

Which suggest to me that the meat is only a part of it (the rest being fruit, spices etc).

[Dan P.]

Some excerpts from the book ''Water of Life'' by Anne Wilson.

Mmmmm, '''cockwater'', only slightly less appetising than snail water!

It's an interesting thing, one wonders whether the cockwater of South East Asia (from where it presumably spread to Mexico) was an independent development or whether it was brought there by Europeans. One also wonders why cockwater (as I will now be calling it evermore) fell out of favour in Europe? Or perhaps there are still parts of Europe where it is still done?

[BALDR]

For a gamey taste he must of had it in the boiler for too long,at a high vapor speed. I've tried about 6 varieties in 2 setting . I really don't care for mezcal compared to other agave spirits. The fowl does take the edge off the mezcal and gives it a slight umami taste. Never tasted a gamey flavor.

[OtisT]

I don’t know about a chicken breast. I’m more of a leg and thigh guy.

I’ve read those threads before. Not sure about the taste or smell it would add but I’d imagine it will drip fat in the kettle and keep things from foaming as much.

[Dan P.]

For a gamey taste he must of had it in the boiler for too long,at a high vapor speed. I've tried about 6 varieties in 2 setting . I really don't care for mezcal compared to other agave spirits. The fowl does take the edge off the mezcal and gives it a slight umami taste. Never tasted a gamey flavor.

Oh wow, so you've actually done this? Sorry for the late reply, I'm not on here that often. Thanks for your input. In what sense would you say it "takes the edge off"? You were using it in agave distillate?

[BALDR]

For a gamey taste he must of had it in the boiler for too long,at a high vapor speed. I've tried about 6 varieties in 2 setting . I really don't care for mezcal compared to other agave spirits. The fowl does take the edge off the mezcal and gives it a slight umami taste. Never tasted a gamey flavor.

Oh wow, so you've actually done this? Sorry for the late reply, I'm not on here that often. Thanks for your input. In what sense would you say it "takes the edge off"? You were using it in agave distillate?

No it was back when I did a lot of business in Oaxaca. Young mescal is a bit hot, this makes it seem smoother.

[Dan P.]

For a gamey taste he must of had it in the boiler for too long,at a high vapor speed. I've tried about 6 varieties in 2 setting . I really don't care for mezcal compared to other agave spirits. The fowl does take the edge off the mezcal and gives it a slight umami taste. Never tasted a gamey flavor.

Oh wow, so you've actually done this? Sorry for the late reply, I'm not on here that often. Thanks for your input. In what sense would you say it "takes the edge off"? You were using it in agave distillate?

No it was back when I did a lot of business in Oaxaca. Young mescal is a bit hot, this makes it seem smoother.

Interesting, thanks!