My first pot still run - what to do now?
Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2010 11:58 am
Yesterday I ran my newly built pot still head for the first time. I have a boka which I have dialed in good enough, so I thought I'd get to something with a little more art so I can do some interesting whiskey work. I started with a weakish sugar wash flavored with some homegrown corn, about a can worth.
After I took off a generous foreshot, I collected every 300 ml or so. I tasted, smelled and measured alcohol each as they came off. Each was unique, but all were good smell and taste.
The first came off at 44%, and I ran it down to 20%. As I got to my 10th collect, I was thinking Wow, I've invented the perfect wash, nothing to waste! (Jar #4 was the best of the best and I drank the whole thing last night over ice after cleanup.) But then, like flicking a light switch, my hooch shit the bed. Takeoff #9 was only 22%, weak but what a wonderful corny smell and taste, just excellent. Then #10 came, tasted fine, but smell wrinkled the nose. Closed up that jar and I sampled a tablespoon right from the spout, and it turned my stomach, smashed my eyes shut, and gave me the shudders. OK, I found the tails.
What exactly do I do now? If I'm understanding correctly, I have to save up enough to do a 2nd run of all 1st runs, right? I have a little less than 3/4 gallon of around 30%, it's going to take forever to save up enough to charge my boiler. Do use all of this 1st run? What about the last jar with fine taste but questionable smell?
After I took off a generous foreshot, I collected every 300 ml or so. I tasted, smelled and measured alcohol each as they came off. Each was unique, but all were good smell and taste.
The first came off at 44%, and I ran it down to 20%. As I got to my 10th collect, I was thinking Wow, I've invented the perfect wash, nothing to waste! (Jar #4 was the best of the best and I drank the whole thing last night over ice after cleanup.) But then, like flicking a light switch, my hooch shit the bed. Takeoff #9 was only 22%, weak but what a wonderful corny smell and taste, just excellent. Then #10 came, tasted fine, but smell wrinkled the nose. Closed up that jar and I sampled a tablespoon right from the spout, and it turned my stomach, smashed my eyes shut, and gave me the shudders. OK, I found the tails.
What exactly do I do now? If I'm understanding correctly, I have to save up enough to do a 2nd run of all 1st runs, right? I have a little less than 3/4 gallon of around 30%, it's going to take forever to save up enough to charge my boiler. Do use all of this 1st run? What about the last jar with fine taste but questionable smell?