Granddaddy: 493 EDV & 55lbs panela - cont. adventures!

[distiller_dresden]

Got my hands on THE yeast for rum. And plenty 'o panela to run with.

My first wash is fermenting now:
5 lbs panela, inverted
.5 gal dark grade A maple syrup
4 lbs date syrup concentrate (100% pure, no preservatives or sugar)
4.5 gal water
32 oz coconut water (for potassium)
15g 493 EDV at 92F
11g Fermaid K
2 Tblsp baking yeast, boiled
Tblsp epsom salts
2 vitamin B tabs, crushed
3 drops olive oil
4.7 starting PH

I learned from the manufacturer of Fermaid that in sugar washes, like rum or for brandies, basically non-grain washes, you need to use 2g per gallon of wash instead of 1. Also from the manufacturer of EDV (Lallemand, makes both) that the high temp ferments, 90+, stress the yeast and cause more production of esters as well as a likely slower ferment due to some yeast die off.

This wash tastes and smells amazing, buttery and caramel with a dark fruit background and it's rich and wonderful. I can't wait to see how this goes...