Value of a parrot's beak on a small pot still

[StillWaters]

Hi, I've just got a 5 liter copper Alembic pot still with the intent to make some Scotch style Single Malt Whisky. Can anyone advise if there is any value in using a parrot's beak with this or should I just rely on taste, smell and feel of the spirit run? Also is there a rough guide to the size of the samples taken at each stage for a still of this small size? I will be using a 4 liter charge and the expectation is that I'll get enough usable flavoured spirit for a 750 ml bottle at 40% ABV. Is this realistic? I am guessing that after the stripping run I should discard the first 50 ml of the spirit run (or save it as a BBQ lighting fluid) then take 25 ml samples until the heart is found, collect the hearts in 100 ml jars, and finish by collecting the tails in 25 ml samples. Does this sound about right please?
Also, where in the forums can I find tried and tested recipes for Scotch Malt Whisky and Brandy? I've done searches but have found little in the way of anything other than discussion points rather than detailed recipes. (Maybe they're preciously guarded secrets?) Thanks, StillWaters

[kiwistiller]

realistically, your still will barely be having enough outpout to run the parrot, so yes I'd avoid it as it will make cuts even harder.

There aren't many scotch recipes because it's very simple - mash peated malt, ferment, distill. brandy: brew wine, distill.

[StillWaters]

Thanks for that. Can you comment on the cut levels - do they sound about right or need modification?

[kiwistiller]

sounds about right to me, but you'll be needing to age at higher than 40%. 65 is good place to start.

[Usge]

I agree about the parrot...5L too small for it. For collection amounts (25ml to 50ml) sounds about right. But, in my experience, depending on your cuts, you might not quite make the 750ml (bottle) on your spirit run after cuts. You'll probably get close..but just have to wait and see. Use 15-20 collection jars/bowls....more than enough. I also found that running my real slow (drip speed) was not a good idea..despite common knowledge being the slower you run it, the more separation you get. It just made the spirit harsh. Why? Because little pee-shooter like that can't separate anything cleanly to start with—even at a drip pace . And running it slow, just concentrates the bad stuff (along with the alc) in less overall volume. When you run it at a stream..it brings over more water/volume, etc., and smooths things out..has nice flavor.

You can try this yourself....drip off a run and taste the jars. The slower you drip..the nastier it will be.

Then try a run this way....once it boils..turn the heat down to simmer. Once it starts dripping, adjust the heat till you get an even/steady stream. Back the heat off till it dribbles, and inch it back up till just breaks into a stream again. This is the speed you want. It will make a very smooth spirit that will allow you to keep a deeper flavor cut for oaking. You can use that to start, and experiment from there. But, in my experience (a years worth of runs on one of these), that was about best you could do in so far as results...regardless of what I ran through it. I ran some redwine through it this way, kept 3/4s of it. Put it in a jar with some toasted oak for a few weeks. Made some damn fine brandy.

For collection jars...I bought these little pyrex bowls that cooks use for ingredients. They are sized in 50ml, 100ml and they will fit under the likker dick/spout of the flakestand (coil bucket). I got the 100's and just fill them half (50ml). Should come out about right.

[Kiwi-lembic]

Great article relating to what im trying to achieve thanks so much guys

[StillWaters]

Thanks for the guidance Usge. I'll do what you suggest and let you know how it goes. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I started with an air still and had some OK results with various drinks but Scotch (my tipple) and Brandy (the wife's favourite medication) have failed miserably. I think I've tried every essence with single and double distilled spirit from the air still but it doesn't even come close to the cheapest of store bought Scotch/Brandy. This is why I went for the Alambic, being the closest (in appearance at least) to those used by the Scots. The small size may have been an error, with hindsight, but larger stills are illegal to even own here, so didn't take the risk of importing a larger one. That may have to happen later Cheers, StillWaters

[rad14701]

StillWaters, the operative word, with regard to your previous failures, is "essences"... Anyone with a discriminating palette will taste right through fake spirits and cordials... Make the real thing and it'll taste like the real thing... That doesn't mean it'll always taste good, but it will at least taste real... Same goes for aging, it's tough to fake time...

[StillWaters]

Thanks for that RAD. I'm learning all the time that "real is best". But we all have to start somewhere and learn from our poor choices . . . . . . Oh, for a larger still