Airing Out....

[joemac1958]

When done with a 3rd sugar wash run, Is there any need or advantage to letting the liquid "Air out" ? If so how long? Won't the ethanol evaporate off , thus lowering abv ?

[Coaster]

@ joemac1958,

What is your Goal? Do you what Quantity or Quality? Personally I distill for Quality.

Regards,
Coaster

[joemac1958]

@ joemac1958,

What is your Goal? Do you what Quantity or Quality? Personally I distill for Quality.

Regards,
Coaster

QualityQuality By all means !

[Kal]

I've wondered about this too, what exactly does airing out do?

[Braz]

I've wondered about this too, what exactly does airing out do?

It allows the lighter, more volatile alcohols to flash off (evaporate). The chemistry geeks can explain it. I just know that right off the still my liquor has a "sharp" taste which goes away after a day of airing out. If you let it air a long time, especially in a hot environment, you can loose quite a bit of product but you don't loose much in 24 hours.

[Kal]

Thanks Braz. I do air out my product before proofing, now I know why

[heartcut]

What Braz said, except I usually leave it for a week, in the AC, with coffee filters secured under mason jar lids. Improves the taste and not much is lost.

[joemac1958]

Thanks to all for the info..... So in conclusion, Its best to air-out for 24 hrs before final capping. This will mellow out some of the sharp,"bite". Correct???

[Prairiepiss]

Thanks to all for the info..... So in conclusion, Its best to air-out for 24 hrs before final capping. This will mellow out some of the sharp,"bite". Correct???

I don't know about before capping. I air mine out 24 to 48 hours before I make my cuts. I start out with 24 hours. If I don't really like it at that point I go another 24 hours. After that if I still don't like it. It gets ran again or added to the next run.

[Mr.Brown]

Depending on what the wash was & how it smells, i let some stuff air for a week or so. Some is good after a day or two. The evaporation loss isn't that great, but the extra time can really help to smooth things out in my experience.

[joemac1958]

Humm.....ok.....I've used the same recipe for the last few ,5 gallon runs. I think I'm getting good results after the 2nd run, If I'm continue to use the same wash shouldn't my runs and cuts maintain their consistency from batch to batch? I'm looking for repeatability of a process at this point. When I get one "Flavor" down I plan on moving to another. Any input would be appreciated......

[Prairiepiss]

Yes to a certain point. Anything can effect the outcome. From ferment temps to product cooling temps. So every run won't be exactly the same. If you do a recipe enough you should be able to guess pretty close. I would still air it out.


Another little note.

I have lost as much as 50ml from a 400ml sample jar airing. This was when it was quite hot out. And the humidity levels were low. I've also noticed when it was cooler very little to no loss. So temp and humidity can make a big difference.

The style of bottle or jar can make a difference too. A wide mouth mason jar is going to let it breathing much better. Compared to a whisky bottle. The bigger the opening the more air movement can take place. And you will also loose more product to the angles. But they don't seem to be bothered by the bad stuff.

[john442]

Can i still air -out my finished product even if i have already diluted it doen to 42-44% ?? is it too late or will it benefit from a day or two?
thanks
John

[davidwh]

Hi,

I air a UJSSM corn/low vol rye for about 4 days. A pure rye for a week. Both in mason jars.
I also give a stir each day.

The airing takes the edge off nicely, with the nasties that "tingle" the nose well gone in a week.

I top off mason jars with coffee filters and leave lid off for a further month. The taste of product after that is not bad and well ahead of the orginal process i used ,airing for a day only lid on storage jars.
12 months down the track it's a really noticable difference...like two completely diffrent drinks.
kk so i loose a little to airing but who's counting when you got plenty.

cheers
dave

[Prairiepiss]

Hi,

I air a UJSSM corn/low vol rye for about 4 days. A pure rye for a week. Both in mason jars.
I also give a stir each day.

The airing takes the edge off nicely, with the nasties that "tingle" the nose well gone in a week.

I top off mason jars with coffee filters and leave lid off for a further month. The taste of product after that is not bad and well ahead of the orginal process i used ,airing for a day only lid on storage jars.
12 months down the track it's a really noticable difference...like two completely diffrent drinks.
kk so i loose a little to airing but who's counting when you got plenty.

cheers
dave

Sounds to me as if your not making good cuts. If you have to air it out that long? Or somethin ain't right.

[davidwh]

I'm ok with my process and how i cut it as such it just produces a better flavour I reckon.

I don't need to air it as long as i do i guess but i just prefer it that way.

Ever tried longer airing periods...you might just be surprised.

cheers
dave

[blind drunk]

Hi,

I air a UJSSM corn/low vol rye for about 4 days. A pure rye for a week. Both in mason jars.
I also give a stir each day.

The airing takes the edge off nicely, with the nasties that "tingle" the nose well gone in a week.

I top off mason jars with coffee filters and leave lid off for a further month. The taste of product after that is not bad and well ahead of the orginal process i used ,airing for a day only lid on storage jars.
12 months down the track it's a really noticable difference...like two completely diffrent drinks.
kk so i loose a little to airing but who's counting when you got plenty.

cheers
dave

Sounds similar to what I do ...

[Prairiepiss]

I guess I'm glad you have found something that works for you.