"Hey everyone, Happy belated Thanksgiving! I haven't finished my rig yet, but I thought it was time to say hello. Been lurking here and on the HD forum for a couple of years now. I'm in the process of building a pot still: half barrel keg as a boiler (legally acquired from a buddy that works at a brewery!), 2"" copper still head, Liebig condenser. It probably would have been cheaper to buy a still head, but I'm enjoying designing and building my own creation. I'll post pics when I get it finished. I've been brewing beer for close to 20 years now, very excited to branch out into something new. Mostly interested in making whiskey, possibly rum and brandy as well. I've got a few questions that I'll post in the appropriate areas, but I figured I'd throw them out here as well:

Anybody used the White Labs distilling yeasts (WLP045, WLP050, WLP065, WLP070, WLP078)? I've used their brewing yeasts with great success. I would assume with liquid yeasts for distilling you would use as you would for making beer?

I've acquired a 10 gallon used bourbon barrel (Black Swan Cooperage). I've aged some homebrew in it (amazing!). I'd like to age spirits in it as well. Is there any disadvantage to not filling a barrel completely? With beer you want to minimize head space, but it would take quite a few batches to fill a 10 gallon barrel with homemade whiskey!

I'm also curious about stilling at high altitude (I'm at about 7800'), but I figure a few batches should help me sort that out.

Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge and experience, I've learned a ton reading the forum. I hope to someday add to the knowledge base with my own experience!"