Novice Question

[PacNW]

I'm looking to make Gin by re-distilling 151 proof grain spirits from the local store.

In doing so, do I have to worry about foreshot, heads and tails? I would assume that methanol isn't an issue since I'm starting with a finished product and not grains/mash. True or False?

If I'm missing a potential danger - please tell me. I appreciate any feedback.

[belialNZ]

To be honest, I'm a little confused about what you expect to obtain.. I mean, they're already 75% spirits... and gin is a flavour, not just a distillation.

Personally I'd throw away the first 200ml's or so, just on principle (kinda got in a habit, and at the end of the day, nothings worth f'ing yourself up over.. just last week we had 4 russian sailers die from drinking medical meth here).

Are you planning to use a gin flavouring essense? or use herbs etc. in the process? If not, you will be distilling a high alcohol drink into a clear vodka like high alcohol drink.

whats wrong with the 75% spirit?

If you want to make Gin, start from a ferment, you'll be a lot more satisfied with your result.

[PacNW]

Sorry for the confusion...I'm just learning the basics. I plan on working with ferments once I get my feet wet.

Right now, I'm experimenting with flavoring - using herbs. Additionally, I want to taste the difference between herb maceration vs. vapor passing through the herbs (don't know the technical term).

You make a good point about the 75% spirit. I chose Everclear because it was cheap and I expect to make lots of mistakes - cheap to throw away.

Thanks for your feedback!

[Dnderhead]

Make up sugar wash that will give you experience making washes
what you get out of that is about like ever clear if you want to play
with just flavoring just use ever clear no use to distill if you were
to distill ever clear you would dilute to about 40-50% then distill
take four shots and tales

[Dnderhead]

Ya me again i for got tell you if you make mistakes with flavors
do not throw out save and re distill

[Safegyde]

Like Dnderhead said make sure you dilute the everclear down before distilling it. Personally if you want to practice distilling something other than your own wash I would use a cheap wine. Ever clear is a decent liquor, use it to compare your own sugar wash with.

[PacNW]

I appreciate everyone's feedback.

One question about foreshot. What is it's percentage in relation to the batch size?

beliaNZ mentioned 200ml's...what was your batch size?

I see alot written about following tempurature fluctuation, but my set-up is crude and head temps may not be accurate for this method.

[As-Ol-Joe]

As a general rule, you remove 100-200ml for a 20 litre batch of wash. This removes the methanol, acetone, etc. Virtually removing the hangover.

Make yourself a sugar wash or UJSM and do a lot more reading while your wash ferments.

[birdwatcher]

Buy this book. http://www.gin-vodka.com/making-gin.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

G

[PacNW]

Thanks again, everyone.

Just so I can get a greater understanding...What is the benefit of diluting the spirits before distilling? Does this benefit the final product, or is it a safety concern?

birdwatcher - thanks for the book recommendation!

[As-Ol-Joe]

Safety concern. High proof alcohol and heat can create lots of pressure pretty quick.

[Old_Blue]

I feel compelled to invoke New_moonshiner's advice

And I quote with permission:

"Friend , I see that youre new and all ... But the best thing I can tell you is take Joe' advice and try searching a little between this site
http://homedistiller.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
and the forum that you are now there is not very much of anything that has not been covered unless its just been invented.. You wont find alot of people here willing to answer all youre questions .. But Im betting they have already been answered ..So try doing a little research and see what you find .. and if you still got questions then read some more as one of our leaders would say then ask ya question again .. you will get way much more help by trying this lots of people here to help but mostly when they see someone trying to help their self.. welcome to the site."