Home Distiller

Howdy all. I've been lurking on the forum for a while and am finally jumping in with both feet. I thought it might be fun to keep a thread updating on progress from where I'm at now (starting at zero) through a full brandy.

I'm getting started with the following equipment, which will come in later this week:

DigiBoil 35L with basic Distillation Lid
AlcoEngine Pot Still
AlcoEngine Reflux Still

Can't wait to get started! I'm wanting to start with an apple brandy to make use of a large grocery sack of apples I was given from a friend's orchard. I'm still working on finding the right 6 gallon recipe, but this is a fun start and something to anchor on. For now I'm still hunting down what the rest of the recipe looks like, so if you've got any recommendations please do tell!

I think you're gonna need a bigger bag of apples.
Welcome to HD

Deplorable wrote: ↑Mon Sep 04, 2023 8:52 am I think you're gonna need a bigger bag of apples.
Welcome to HD

Oh for sure. Looking like base apple juice and for sure many more apples -- but heck, I got em so might as well start with em!

Welcome to HD man.

Welcome aboard Bucket.

Deplorable wrote: ↑Mon Sep 04, 2023 8:52 am I think you're gonna need a bigger bag of apples.

Pretty much thinking the same .
Suggest that your also going to need some spare time to do a bit of reading .....I'd start here viewtopic.php?t=48881
and here .............. viewtopic.php?t=32309
Good luck with it.

Welcome! Yes, you will need more quantities, or you can use them to flavor after distillation.

This is great advice and food for thought. I'm thinking I may need to pivot. I'd like to stick with a brandy, but what about Welches grape juice? I've seen a few recipes on the forum and think that might be more immediately obtainable and will let me focus on the equipment for the first run.

Recipe wise I'm thinking about the following:

40 cans Welches grape concentrate
28 pounds of sugar
Water to 20 gallons
Either 1118 or Dady yeast (any recommendations there?)

How's that sound as a first brandy? Seen the recipe but not too much in terms of how good/not good it taste after some aging and whatnot.

This is the welcome center. It helps to ask your questions in the right place. That way members can help you and keep the Mods happy. Good luck sir.

viewtopic.php?p=6707128#p6707128 here is just one of many here on HD. I found this by using the search function at the top right. Welcome to HD man.

Wildcats wrote: ↑Wed Sep 06, 2023 7:35 am This is the welcome center. It helps to ask your questions in the right place. That way members can help you and keep the Mods happy. Good luck sir.

I think I got moved over here. I'll take a step back. I'm def not starting in the wrong foot. Sorry.

If its your first run I would start with a sugar wash or something cheap because your first run would be your sacrificial run after your vinegar cleaning run.
If you are gonna do it you might as well do it right.
1st cleaning run
2nd sacrificial run
I understand jumping in with both feet but don't waste the money trying a brandy for a sacrificial run.
Myself if starting off new I would check out a few t&t sugar washes learn to run your still then try the brandy recipes.

I made an apple brandy last year out of 4 gallons of organic apple juice, 2 gallons of water and 8 pounds of sugar. I used 3 packets of bread yeast. It seems like I had to let it ferment for a very long time because it turns into carbonated apple cider first. I eventually stirred and stirred it until it finally was flat enough to run it through the still. I mixed the finished product with some all grain rye whiskey and filled a 10 liter oak barrel. It is 1 year old right now. I plan to bottle in at Christmas.