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Floaters in my Brandy
Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 5:07 pm
by Stonecutter
Got some “floaters” in my Brandy. Me thinks it’s possibly fatty acids that have glob-bed together and settled in the bottom of my decanter. I carefully poured a shot this evening and the hooch is delicious. Any thoughts on what this shit could be?
Brandy made from a Riesling kit from the local home brew store. Stripped and spirit run through a pot and aged for close to a year in a one gallon Gibbs barrel. Filtered through a couple coffee filters and then proofed with distilled water to 40%. Been sitting in the decanter for about a month.
Re: Floaters in my Brandy
Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 5:41 pm
by Bradster68
Stonecutter wrote: ↑Thu Mar 09, 2023 5:07 pm
Got some “floaters” in my Brandy. Me thinks it’s possibly fatty acids that have glob-bed together and settled in the bottom of my decanter. I carefully poured a shot this evening and the hooch is delicious. Any thoughts on what this shit could be?
Brandy made from a Riesling kit from the local home brew store. Stripped and spirit run through a pot and aged for close to a year in a one gallon Gibbs barrel. Filtered through a couple coffee filters and then proofed with distilled water to 40%. Been sitting in the decanter for about a month.
Do u add anything from the kit besides the yeast?
Re: Floaters in my Brandy
Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 5:53 pm
by Stonecutter
Nope. No oyster shells or clarifying agents. Just the “must”, water and EC1118. The decanter sits in the back of a cabinet with glass doors near an East facing window.
Re: Floaters in my Brandy
Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 6:41 pm
by Stonecutter
Almost certain it is some kind of lipid or something like that as the bigger vessel which holds the cask strength 130+- proof shows no signs of such contrariety.
Re: Floaters in my Brandy
Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 7:23 pm
by jonnys_spirit
I wonder if it would filter out with a coffee filter or three?
Re: Floaters in my Brandy
Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 7:40 pm
by Stonecutter
jonnys_spirit wrote: ↑Thu Mar 09, 2023 7:23 pm
I wonder if it would filter out with a coffee filter or three?
Roger that JS
Was wondering that myself. I was also thinking about putting it in the refrigerator for a day or so and then racking it. The decanter was thoroughly rinsed with water and let to dry before filling.
Other than looks I’m not too worried about getting it out as it has obviously been sanitized by ETOH. I suppose I could proof it up and see what happens.
Re: Floaters in my Brandy
Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 9:20 pm
by NZChris
Did you keep a sample of it white? If you did, proofing some might tell you something.
Re: Floaters in my Brandy
Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 10:31 pm
by shadylane
NZChris wrote: ↑Thu Mar 09, 2023 9:20 pm
Did you keep a sample of it white? If you did, proofing some might tell you something.
My 2 cents worth.
Keep at least half of everything white.
Ya will need it for sampling, comparison and bragging rights.
Re: Floaters in my Brandy
Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2023 5:09 am
by Stonecutter
I did not save any white. I had just enough to fill up my barrel. Those damn kits are expensive. It’ll be a while before I get after any more grape Brandy as I don’t currently have access to cheap ingredients.