"Hi,

I just bought a High Capacity unit with Gin basket and so far it is going great. I have managed to get a steady 93% of of my first and second attempts. However I am still unsure as to the correct use of the gin basket.

I want to experiment with the London gin method, Where you distill using the column to get 93%, then use the pot still with the gin basket to get the flavored gin.

So my question is should I attach the Gin basket in the column reflux stage? Is it of no use at this stage. Does it actually hinder the process at this stage.

Thanks
Jimmy"

Is there a gin basket that you can attach to the ps11 hc ?

Diesel, I made gin with Odin at a distilling seminar in Indiana with his Istill 250. He just hangs a mesh bag of the gin botanicals above the liquid level in the boiler (stainless tea-ball works fine too... don't pack it tight), but just below the column. Also, he puts the coriander and juniper directly in the liquid the night before he distills and allows it to macerate overnight with the low-wines (these both float, so they won't scorch on your element or boiler bottom)... then hang the rest of the botanicals in the bag (additional juniper and coriander in the bag) the next morning and fire up the still. It was, by far, the best gin I've ever tasted... even without resting (he says to always bottle your gin and let it rest for 4 to 5 weeks to allow the flavors to stabilize). Having a gin basket is very nice, but if you don't have one you can still easily make world-class gin. He runs low wines at 40% abv. Also, be sure to keep some neutrals at 50% or so... when you proof the gin down it will frequently become cloudy. This is natural because of the oils that give gin it's flavor. To get rid of the cloudiness, add more 50% neutral until it disappears... the new %abv will be your gin strength (frequently between 42% & 48%). If you want it right at 40%, dilute it with more neutrals until it stays clear at your desired strength.

I learned a ton about making gin that day.