our faq

[Uncle Jesse]

could use some work

http://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.php/Distilling_FAQ

[blanikdog]

Looking at POST DISTILLATION in FAQ the first question is, should I reduce proof...immediately?

The answer given is, "That depends on what your final product will be, if you are going to age in wood, no, if your are aging in glass or plastic or not aging at all, yes."

I was under the impression that the product should always be reduced before aging other wise when reducing after aging, flavour will be lost.

Which is correct or are both correct?

[Husker]

Any (well most any) time you age using charred wood, you should age when the ABV is about 62-67% (65% is where I target). This is the level which most effectively works the magic with the wood.

I age in glass, with wood strips and cubes. I certainly do not drop the ABV strength before aging (my second runs come out very close to 65%, when everything gets combined).

H.

[duds2u]

I do a stepped aging/dilution for my malt whisky as from my reading on the subject various flavinoids (big word, sounds good, not sure if it's the correct terminology) are more easily extracted from the wood at different dilutions. I've seen a graphical representation of the process somewhere on one of these sites but seniors is catching up and I can't remember where.

I usually age on 50/50 toasted and untoasted oak in glass container starting at 65% ABV for a month, dilute to 52% ABV for another month and then finally at 42% for another month. Then depending on the taste and how I feel I'll either bottle it or leave for further maturation.
Cheers
Mal T.

[blanikdog]

Thanks guys. I'd best change my aging regime.