Running an 18 month old heavy rum ferment

[distiller_dresden]

Okay, so first, if you're curious, this was is based on my heavy rum method, it's posted. Second, this was wash 2 with a different yeast from the granddaddy rum one, this was using a cachaca yeast, which preiously gavce me juicy fruit flavor and aromas, strongly, off half raw sugar, half panela, and a gallon of coconut sugar wash backset. Seriously, that is a recipe I keep close (simple) because I swear to all, it was juicyfruit white dog. It didn't make it to a barrel or on wood, because I sampled, showed it off, and we (collective we, all my friends) drank it dry.

Ok, so this wash was all molassses, that cachaca yeast, my heavy process otherwise. Was supposed to be run Dec 2019, but my dad got ill, actually spine stuff, couldn't walk, rolled issue into January/Feb, and he needed surgery on his spine. Then it got infected... Long story, he was in hospital 3.5 months, then recovery in the hospital's retirement community so he did his phys therapy 3x a day (spinal surgery, all kinds of implanted hardware). Anyway then covid, which also took my mom last year, about the time he got out of the rehab. He almost didn't get out, because Covid, they wanted to lock down the home, no in or out for anyone.

So, lot of bullshit to deal with last year... Just haven't run anything since Nov 2019. Glad I had 7gal my rum in a barrel since May 2019 though! It's close to Flor De Cana 18, but with a sweet ester, and cherry flavors. Anyhow-

This wash was infected with stuff, and dundered, as described in my method. It has been covered, and kept at 88F, for 16 mos now, no evaporation, only 'space' or outlet is around the stainless temp minder rod inserted the middle top of my ferment vessel. No bugs have got out of control, and actually it smells a bit like a rum wash that is ready, but also like my barrreled rum, curiously.

Anyone have experience with really old/aged/forgotten washes, anything i need to 'watch' for? I got a new 40L alembic from Portugal last week it arrived, and after my cleaning runs, am gonna run this through it. Just don't know if I need to 'watch' for anything that is insidiously 'unseen' or present without indicators, that could make the distillate poison or bad or something. Figure best to toss the question out and see if anyone HAS had similar issue and learned /some/ lesson the hard way. Also, hi all, hope everyone is healthy and safe and keepin' truckin'. I haven't posted, or even thought of my passion, for so LONG!