Home Distiller

Gents, I know that this depends on things like your still, your mash/wash, your mother's maiden name, but is there a general good rule of thumb for when to cut from hearts to tails, ie a proof (and I'm talking about on your final run where you're going to actually use the stuff)? I've seen/been told various things. For my heads I generally do a misting test and that helps out a lot. That being said, my first real stuff that I made clouded up a bit when I cut it with water (assuming some tails got in there). It was good stuff, just want to get rid of that cloudiness if possible. I'm also looking into some filtering options.

If done correctly, there will be no need to filter.
As soon as you see the mixing swirl in the collection jug, you are collecting tails.
This can happen anywhere from 60 to 50% Abv, depending on the wash
As soon as I see any difference in the collection bottle, I switch to tails mode.

I haven't found a way better than using your nose and taste..I dilute and smell and taste.

makes sense, I usually notice the swirls between 48 - 55 % abv. Thanks for the info.

plonker wrote:I haven't found a way better than using your nose and taste..I dilute and smell and taste.

For those of us that are sensory challenged, sight and feel need to be used in place of smell and taste. Having smoked for 35 years, I have no nose for subtle differences. I have to rely on my parrot, the swirl, and to a lesser degree, taste and feel.

So Hawke and some of the others who know about this could you please tell me more about the swirl you are talking about?This is the first i have heard of this little tid bit of info??????

Thanks booger

I have not been astute enough to realise that is when the tails start. Wow I feel like a fool now, and if I misspelled astute then I feel like a bigger fool. Booger I assume the swirl is due to the higher water content present in the distillate stream when the tails start, mixing with the alcohol in you jar. You have to look into the jar below the liquid line and you can see the swirls of water mixing with the alcohol. I hope I'm correct in my assumption.
I also don't know what the misting test is if you could give more details on that subject I would like to read about it.

Yes, the swirl is when there is more water/fusel oils present. You can see the same effect when dilluting high proof. This method has worked well for me.

Thnks Hawke for that little tid bit there,That gives me a lttle something extra to watch for.
i will be trying to see that on my next spirit run.


thanks
booger