 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/16/2009(UTC)
Posts: 10
|
"Has anyone ever made grappa? I recently bought a reflux distiller in order to make grappa from some old home made wine I had. I got some clear nuetral spirit at about 87% abv out of it but, it really doesn't have the grappa flavor I thought it would have after I diluted it to 40% abv. I heard I could add some grappa essence to it as an option.
Is this diluting just getting me a 40% abv neutral spirit? I may use the undilluted spirit I have left for fortifying a port style wine I'm considering making."
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/17/2008(UTC)
Posts: 424
|
If you reflux it you basically get a neutral spirit. For grappa you need a pot still. You can use a reflux unit, but take all the packing out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/16/2009(UTC)
Posts: 10
|
"ratflinger -
Have you tried making grappa by doing it as you suggest? Should I only use the top portion of my reflux still with the cooling hoses and eliminate the lower section? Do you think it'll give me a 40% +/- grappa with any flavor?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
|
" Originally Posted by: Stache  ratflinger -
Have you tried making grappa by doing it as you suggest? Should I only use the top portion of my reflux still with the cooling hoses and eliminate the lower section? Do you think it'll give me a 40% +/- grappa with any flavor? If you are useing wine, you will make a brandy or related. Grappa is made basically with the skins and pomace from the wine makeing process. Its a great use for what would otherwise be tossed or something. In either case, you want flavor, so yes pot still. Top portion of your reflux, no mesh and no water to reflux. Run slow and make cuts, or better strip it fast collecting all, and then a spirit run slow and with careful cuts. HTH"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/16/2009(UTC)
Posts: 10
|
I'm new to distilling.......what do you mean by "collecting fast and then doing a spirit run"? Are there specific temperatures recomended fo doing this?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
|
" Originally Posted by: Stache I'm new to distilling.......what do you mean by ""collecting fast and then doing a spirit run""? Are there specific temperatures recomended fo doing this? Not a requirement, but a strong recommendation, whether you are pot stilling or running a reflux for neutral. The stripping run is performed with no reflux, packing etc like a basic pot still operation, but with no cuts and as much heat input as your condensor can handle- ie fast as it can be run. This produces what is called a low wine, with ABV of around 30% approx. Several batches can be condensed like this prior to the spirit run, then those run together in one run- the spirit run. The spirit run is made with less heat input if you can controll it for the pot still, and with more reflux if with reflux. IE a slow collection with determined cuts useing temp. taste and smell. Some pot distillers will do 2 stripping runs and then a spirit run. Please search for Home Distiller. org and read what is the bible of distilling. It will save you much trial and error. Enjoy!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/3/2008(UTC)
Posts: 9
|
"do you need to plug the holes in the top column for a strip run?
the instructions that came with the HC also say to run cooling water from ""I"" to ""J"" ?? is that a strip run or ??? ive mashed and strained and now thinking of stripping once before i distill...its for vdka.....:)"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
|
"No, don't plug the holes. Just don't run water thru them for a stripping run or when running as a pot still for flavored whiskey.
The instructions for the HC are for total neutral reflux operation, which is what it was designed for.
Tlhe stripping run will save time and energy, and make a much better neutral.
I also, put the stripped run into a glass carboy and add a few TBS bicarbonate of soda and let sit till I have enough stripped to do a complete spirit run.
Helps define the cuts."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/3/2008(UTC)
Posts: 9
|
"thanx Mtn! but still add the cool water to the down spout holes, yes?
then run it full heat and full cool, correct?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
|
"Yes.. Thats your condenser. If you are useing a recirculateing pump, you may want to have some 2 L jugs of ice on hand to keep water cool.
Boiling chips really help speed things and helps prevent pukeing up the column."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/3/2008(UTC)
Posts: 9
|
i assume its something u pl;ace in the kettle?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
|
BOILING CHIPS=== broken glass, unglazed pottery, gravel, pennies, copper fittings etc. Makes little bubbles instead of large ones and quietens those loud thumps. I now use around a cup and a half of rashig rings in my keg.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.
