Hi Guys,
I was watching a BBC show the other night with James May (Top Gear fame) and Oz Clarke touring the British Isles looking for a drink that speaks for modern Britain. On one of the episodes they went to Plymouth Gin Distillery and James had a hand at making his own gin using a table top distillery setup.
After watching this I was inspired to make my own gins. I want to start at a small scale so I can try different mixtures of botanicals, and was thinking maybe to start by infusing 100 proof vodka and distilling that with a basic chemistry set with a Graham condenser. What is the general consensus on getting into the hobby this way?
Thanks
New Distiller in Texas
Moderator: Site Moderator
Re: New Distiller in Texas
Most folks here would probably say "unless your limited on space" going larger is better for several reasons.
1. You will probably out grow the still and build larger later.
2. With a smaller still making smaller runs makes cuts harder.
Probably a lot of other reasons. However having said that we have members with small stills that are still happy (no pun intended), just seems like a lot of members have outgrown their stills and rebuilt
Welcome to the forum that was a nice introduction! Seems like we have had a lot of new members from Texas.
1. You will probably out grow the still and build larger later.
2. With a smaller still making smaller runs makes cuts harder.
Probably a lot of other reasons. However having said that we have members with small stills that are still happy (no pun intended), just seems like a lot of members have outgrown their stills and rebuilt
Welcome to the forum that was a nice introduction! Seems like we have had a lot of new members from Texas.
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Chiller
- Novice
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 11:08 am
- Location: United Kingdom - 'can't get it over here'
Re: New Distiller in Texas
Great way to get into the hobby - James May makes brilliant TV 
First off - NEVER EVER put more than 80 to 90 proof in your still (chem set or otherwise), that's just a general rule - at 200 proof it will boil so quick that not only will nothing happen, you have a large chance of creating a flame thrower (if you're using propane). Your method is great if your passion is in the drink, as opposed to the still. For me, the hobby appealed because of the aspect of usefulness (hooch) and the building. Chemistry apparatus is not really large enough to produce much, but it's a start, just like the pressure cookers with misarraged pipes many of us newbs made for time
I would advise trying to make your own mash/wash aswell, it is an integral part of the process after all, and you will be much more satisfied knowing that your drink isn't just glorified flavoured vodka, but a quality drink you made from fruit/vegetables, sugar, yeast and your own still.
Welcome, prepare to be addicted!
Chiller
First off - NEVER EVER put more than 80 to 90 proof in your still (chem set or otherwise), that's just a general rule - at 200 proof it will boil so quick that not only will nothing happen, you have a large chance of creating a flame thrower (if you're using propane). Your method is great if your passion is in the drink, as opposed to the still. For me, the hobby appealed because of the aspect of usefulness (hooch) and the building. Chemistry apparatus is not really large enough to produce much, but it's a start, just like the pressure cookers with misarraged pipes many of us newbs made for time
I would advise trying to make your own mash/wash aswell, it is an integral part of the process after all, and you will be much more satisfied knowing that your drink isn't just glorified flavoured vodka, but a quality drink you made from fruit/vegetables, sugar, yeast and your own still.
Welcome, prepare to be addicted!
Chiller
Poetic, not poetry
Re: New Distiller in Texas
Thanks for the feedback.
At the moment space is a premium and at first I'd like to start understanding the still process and then moving on to the mash side as well later as I scale up. I'd first like to focus on the flavor profiles, and understanding what different botanicals do to the flavor. Starting making maybe at most a 1/5 at time.
When I said 100 proof, I had read somewhere that you soak the fruit herbs in this and then cut it with water to around as you around 80 proof before the boil.
With the chemistry set I imagine I'll have to find something which doesn't use rubber / synthetic type bungs, but all glass joints? Do you guys have any recommendations for where I can look to find something appropriate/safe?
I really look forward to getting into the copper work later though if the hobby is for me.
At the moment space is a premium and at first I'd like to start understanding the still process and then moving on to the mash side as well later as I scale up. I'd first like to focus on the flavor profiles, and understanding what different botanicals do to the flavor. Starting making maybe at most a 1/5 at time.
When I said 100 proof, I had read somewhere that you soak the fruit herbs in this and then cut it with water to around as you around 80 proof before the boil.
With the chemistry set I imagine I'll have to find something which doesn't use rubber / synthetic type bungs, but all glass joints? Do you guys have any recommendations for where I can look to find something appropriate/safe?
I really look forward to getting into the copper work later though if the hobby is for me.