Well the first run in my make shift still is done. I learned a lot and now have to see what I can salvage.
5 gallons of mash made me a little over 2.5 quarts. It really smells like alcohol and when you put it on paper and lite it, there is a blue flame.
Now on to the trying to fix it. I messed up and collected all of the distilled sprits. I forgot to get rid of the first parts. The first quart came out clear and the others are a little cloudy. The smell is strong. I am hoping that I can pour everything back into the still and slowly run it again this time getting rid of the first quarter quart. I hope this will clear it up and get rid of the bad alcohol. My daughter sat and broke my alcohol meter so going to have to guess at proof.
I know when I shake the quart the bubbles are small and many.
If I want to bring the proof down to a good sipping and mixing sprit do I adjust it with distilled water?

Thanks for any suggestions or help with fixing this run.
Gerald

Hi Gerald, definatly redistill and collect 1/2 pint in each pint jar, it's a good idea to number the jars also so they don't get mixed up. Throw out the first 100-150ml and if you forget to do that just throw out the first 1/2 pint and count it as part of the learning curve.
Let the jars set for 24-48 hours then go back and give them the sniff/taste test starting in the middle and working your way out towards both ends.

Here's a link that will help with diluting your end product. But you need to get another alcohol meter so you know what you've got to start with.

http://homedistiller.org/calcs/dilute

Gerald,
What kind of still are you running and how big is your pot?