Rum Distilling Question

[Dis-diller]

I am about to distill my first batch of rum...i have a small question.... ive read in several places on this website (articles like: Hook Rum, and Rum From a Reflux Still) that many people like to make their hearts to tails cut very late (Ie. 80-90 Celcius/176-194 Faherenheit or even higher) for better flavour. I've also read that Propanol (rubbing alcohol) starts to come off at 82 Celcius (180 F)...so then why would anyone want to include this with their hearts? Isn't propanol bad for you? Why would people be including anything that comes off at above 78 Celcius/172 F (Ethanol) in with the hearts?

Any answers greatly appreciated

Thanks

[rad14701]

Pot still or reflux column...???

Edited to add: Where are you reading/getting your information...???

[Dis-diller]

I have both...and would like to try with both so thats why i am wondering...and from what i've read it seems like people like to make these late cuts with both pot stills and reflux columns

[Dis-diller]

here is some of the info i got directly from homedistiller: "Compared to brandy and whiskey the hearts to tails cut in rum is quite late, some go as low as 55-50%, or 92.5-94 ºC. I usually cut between 60-55%, or 91.5-92.5 ºC. Cover your collection jars with a single layer of clean plain cotton cloth or coffee filters, and let them air for 24 hours (some leave them for 48 hours), then dilute small samples to 35-40% to make the cut properly."

from http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 14&t=12504 ...and is talking about using a pot still


and

"First fraction - collect between 69-72 °C at 91% - approx. 5% total distillate, unpleasant aldehydes, organic acids and esters. Discard.
Second fraction, 72-77 °C at 93-94% - 10% total distillate, contains ethanol with appreciable amounts of aldehydes and esters.
Third fraction, at 78 °C, 95.5%, largest in volume at 55-60% ,mostly ethanol with very small amounts of congeners
Fourth fraction at 78.5-85 °C , 90%, most of the higher alcohol's
Fifth and final fraction at of 85-90 °C at 25-30% - highest boiling point esters and aldehydes
Mix the fractions together as ...
Light rum = 25% of the second fraction, 50% of the third, 40% of the fourth & 15% of the fifth fraction
Dark rum = whats left (except the first fraction - that was all thrown away)"

from http://homedistiller.org/distill" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
(referring to reflux still)

[rad14701]

Yes, and then there is the following information from: http://homedistiller.org/distill/dtw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

The alcohols in the wash begin to vaporize from the wash around specific temperatures. If by themselves they would be ...

Acetone 56.5C (134F)
Methanol (wood alcohol) 64C (147F)
Ethyl acetate 77.1C (171F)
Ethanol 78C (172F)
2-Propanol (rubbing alcohol) 82C (180F)
1-Propanol 97C (207F)
Water 100C (212F)
Butanol 116C (241F)
Amyl alcohol 137.8C (280F)
Furfural 161C (322F)

However, we don't work with ideal solutions and the components can vary from recipe to recipe as well as from wash to wash... So we don't generally sweat the details but, instead, rely on collecting in multiple containers and blending after airing... Over-thinking the process will just drive you crazy... What tastes and smells good to you is all that really matters... And with rum you work on developing a profile by using dunder (backset), as well as a few other tricks, to end up with spirits that have the characteristics you desire...

We have several Rum lovers capable of posting in this forum who will most likely chime in shortly...