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Starting my first run today after months of dithering, research, apprehension and general laziness.

25 litres of wash to be made up of 12.5% molasses (37.5%w/v), 54.16% cane sugar and 16.66% Demerara. Going to ferment using C-70 yeast at 32°c using yeast hulls and some DAP for nutrient.

I have a kegland alcoengine that I’ve retrofitted on to my old HB copper.

Did a little prep work on some 10ltr barrels I’ve had laying around for ages. A little char for some flavour for when the real fun begins. Let’s see what happens!

Isn't an alcoengine a reflux still?
If so it's the wrong still if your trying to make Rum.

Saltbush Bill wrote: ↑Thu Feb 06, 2025 10:00 am Isn't an alcoengine a reflux still?
If so it's the wrong still if your trying to make Rum.

Alcoengine is the range, they do both reflux and pot still. This one is the pot still.

That maybe the case now, as far as I am aware they started out with only the reflux, hence the confusion.

It seems like the same sort of deal as Still Spirits, started with just reflux, now into everything.

Jim, good luck with your first run.

Good luck Jim .
That barrel will make a huge difference to your Rum .
Just don’t cut the heads out and leave the tails in and you’ll havr a great drop . Rum tails never turn out nice in my experience , no matter how long you age them , but Rum heads do .

Yummyrum wrote: ↑Thu Feb 06, 2025 1:07 pm Good luck Jim .
That barrel will make a huge difference to your Rum .
Just don’t cut the heads out and leave the tails in and you’ll havr a great drop . Rum tails never turn out nice in my experience , no matter how long you age them , but Rum heads do .

100%

One question, as this is my first run, would you take the foreshots out on the stripping run or the spirit run?

Jimthebrewer wrote: ↑Thu Feb 06, 2025 3:49 pm One question, as this is my first run, would you take the foreshots out on the stripping run or the spirit run?

Someone I highly respect makes a cut on his stripping runs.
I don't.
Unless your are sick and dieing, there should be plenty of opportunity for you to experiment with either tact and decide what's best for your desired outcome.

We’re off! Now nicely fermenting away in the corner.

Noticed a tiny pin hole in the lid of the still that I’ll need to repair before running. Also need to remember to buy a bigger bucket! If this foams my wife is going to murder me.