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“Uncle Jesse’s Sour Mash Vodka”
I’m planning to get back into the hobby this fall after being away from it a few years. My plan is to make vodka from UJSM through the first 5-10 generations. After UJSM starts to develop character, I’ll make 10 gallons of whiskey to oak for years down the road. I’ll do this every year and after ten years hopefully have some good whiskey.Questions:Using my reflux still, can I make a flavorless vodka from UJSM? Or is there too much character in the mash to get a neutral spirit?Can I use oak spirals to age the whiskey instead of buying barrels?3 x 60 inch Bokabob, 8 gallon boiler, 4500w3 inch pot still head, reduced to 2 inches, then to 48 inch 1/2 condenser. 8 gallon boiler, 4500w
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10 Replies
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Absolutely Budapest. It’ll make a decent neutral/vodka. Of course it will have the sugar and corn characteristics. But they hang out in the background. Honestly, I think it’s a good plan! I have not used spirals, but straight cut staves. I’m sure the spirals will work fine. I think a good number of folks use straight cut staves and glass for aging. If you can make 10 gallons at barrel proof in one “season” you might see about getting a wood barrel to fill.Welcome back to the Science Project.13.5g/50L keg modular 3″ pot/VM copper&stainless w/offset gin head26g 4″ stripping still5500watts of fury
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I had 10 gal of white UJSSM lying around. I never really drank much of it so I ran it through my VM and I couldn’t tell the difference from that and just a sugar wash.4″ VM Build
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I like drinking vodka soda with a lime the most. Sometimes a martini. I’ve made a lot of high proof stuff from sugar wash and it’s not the same as a recognizable vodka label. I don’t really care for it. I’m not really a whiskey drinker, but most of my friends are. I want to make something with complexity, but don’t know what to do with the early generations…3 x 60 inch Bokabob, 8 gallon boiler, 4500w3 inch pot still head, reduced to 2 inches, then to 48 inch 1/2 condenser. 8 gallon boiler, 4500w
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If you want a good whiskey with complexity, your best bet is to dig a hole, jump in, and fill the dirt back in. Put a couple straws in your nose for air! And start brewing all-grain. Start with a 100% corn mash, and make your vodka from that, or wheat. Then move onto a bourbon mash.As far as the early gens of UJJSM, recycle what you can, give away what you can, and carry on. By the time you get 5 or 6 generations, you might be able to blend those with the first few, and so forth. Basically, it’s just going to take a little time to develop a decent sour mash.13.5g/50L keg modular 3″ pot/VM copper&stainless w/offset gin head26g 4″ stripping still5500watts of fury
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Spirals I’ve seen have a lot of exposed grain . Probably a bad idea if you intend to age for a long time . Sticks would be better . But nothing beats a barrel.My recommended goto .wiki/index.ph … ion_Theory
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How is exposed grain a problem for submerged oak ?________________I drank fifty pounds of feed-store corn’till my clothes were ratty and torn
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I think Yummy means end grain…..I agree, spirals are right up there with the shit chips that come from the local HBS.Both spirals and chips would be my last choice……home made sticks, commercially produced domino’s or cubes are a better choice.
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Thanks Salty , thats what I meant greggn. Gives plenty of colour and wood in a short time ,Oak tea .My recommended goto .wiki/index.ph … ion_Theory
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How long does it need to be in the barrel? If I make 10 gallons per year for aging, does it need to be in a barrel for 10 years? If not, can I reuse the barrel? I know it’s not bourbon if the barrel isn’t new, but I’m not making bourbon, I’m making UJSM.3 x 60 inch Bokabob, 8 gallon boiler, 4500w3 inch pot still head, reduced to 2 inches, then to 48 inch 1/2 condenser. 8 gallon boiler, 4500w
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in a new barrel, 9-36 months. in a second fill 36 to 120 moths or more. sticks and such it’s really to taste. i have barrels that are going on 9 years and also 1 gallon of UJ on a stick or two, it will be 9 on aug 16. it’s still improving. i have dumped a barrel at 9 months that was like oak syrup. most of the time a new barrel is there at the 2 year mark for me and 2 or 3 rd fill is nice after 3 but still improving.I finally quit drinking for good.now i drink for evil.
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