• Beginners

  Sweet results from the spirit run.

  Posted by Sam001 on November 6, 2024 at 1:50 pm

  HiI’ve completed 2 spirit runs using my ccvm reflux column. 1.2m 2″ column packed with spp. 30l keg, 3kw heater with voltage controller. 25l charge at just under 40%.I refluxed for one hour before taking anything off ( I understand that was maybe excessive but I’m a novice)First run using birdwatchers. Second run using shadys sugar shine. I followed the guidance by kimbodius ‘driving the ccvm’ as well as others on this site.Output was a steady 95% pretty much throughout until towards the end the abv started to drop. I then shutdown. Output was about 1.2l per hour once I ‘thought’ I was into hearts. Foreshots at 200ml ph. For first 1.5 l (heads) my output was closer to .8l ph. I tried to avoid too fast coolant through the reflux condenser to avoid over cooling. I have a sight glass for watching the reflux.I collected in 200mls jars and after a couple of days blended, I think fairly conservatively.I found with both BW and SSS the output was very sweet. Not the sweetness found in early jars, that artificial sweetness, but a not unpleasant sweetness in what I assume is in the middle of the hearts.I find mixing say with tonic water the sweetness is noticeable. Again it’s not unpleasant but different. I was expecting a more neutral taste.Is this normal? Is the only way to avoid such sweetness to go AG? Or am.i doing something wrong.Thanks

  Sam001 replied 1 month, 1 week ago 4 Members · 4 Replies
• 4 Replies

• 

  squigglefunk

  Member

  November 6, 2024 at 7:06 pm

  consider carbon filtering

• 

  Salt Must Flow

  Member

  November 6, 2024 at 9:02 pm

  I suspect you’re referring to the flavor that is inherent with sugar washes. No matter how clean and how neutral you make it, even if you reflux it again, you’ll still have that sugar flavor. Like you said, not unpleasant, but it’s there. I honestly don’t know if carbon filtering it will even remove it. I never tried it.4″ VM Build

• 

  Deplorable

  Member

  November 7, 2024 at 12:11 am

  Alcohol will always have a trace flavor of its base sugar. This is one of the reasons that I don’t make spirits from granulated sugar. I make my reflux runs from saved AG feints, and when diluted to a humane proof, makes a very palatable vodka.Fear and ridicule are the tactics of weak-minded cowards and tyrants who have no other leadership talent from which to draw in order to persuade.

• 

  Sam001

  Member

  November 7, 2024 at 7:28 am

  Ah. Ok. Seems like my process is correct but the sweetness is inherent with a sugar wash.Thanks

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