 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/22/2013(UTC)
Posts: 20
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"hi everyone, I have been on here before, but my password wasn't working so changed my loggin. I have been running the machine a little and learning.....I have a psII. my last reflux of sugar wash came out ok but had a rubbing alcohol smell to it. I started collecting at temp 169* and stopped early. the final proof came out around 165 first run. I tried running as slow as possible. so does this sound like not throwing enough heads or tails? then emptied the pot took off the bottom column and pot stilled some red wine that my neighbor wanted to make into choopurro. spelling? like raki. pot stilled 3 gallons first run came out 110-120 proof. didn't separate the output much-a bad idea. smelled ok but a little grapey. threw that run back in with some other grape strip run from before with a bunch of anise seeds to get the licorice flavor. came out 150 or so. good licorice flavor but a off smell that reminds me of grappa but stronger. so maybe a tail smell or head smell? so lesson learned I think. cut out more heads and tails but run everything longer.
anyone have any experience advice for running red wine? do the smells sound like a cutting issue? I have really slowed my process down since starting. I know they make brandy out of wine. any issues with some of the stuff they use to balance wine during ferment to give off flavor or smells? or is it just me and my learning curve-which is more likely I think.
thanks
whiskykid"
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 Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
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"It does sound like a cutting issue....but first do you know HOW to decern the CUTS process???? Then do you know how to make the proper collection of your distillate???? Not to sound like a smart azz...but these things are paromount to good likker.
Plz forget about how high or low your proof is right now, thats not the most important issue. If it tastes like shit and its 290 proof does that make it good, no sir it sure doesn't.
You said I tried running as slow as possible, thats a good thing. Dripping is good for now. Now the really important stuff...............run slow and cold, throw away the first drippings approximatley (150mls) and I cant stress this next point enough...collect is small jars not 1 or 2 great big ones.
Then tomorrow after your hooch has aired out a bit thats when you make your cuts and throw away the heads and tails and thats done with your nose. In the future you may learn to use these compounds but for now just dump em out. When you start sniffin those jars you can't help but pick out whats what, you'll see. So follow these simple ideas and you will surely be happy with outcome.
Remember --- [COLOR=""#FF0000""]practice does not make perfect ---- perfect practice makes perfect[/COLOR]"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/22/2013(UTC)
Posts: 20
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thanks Heeler for the reply. knowing and doing does not always go hand in hand. I have read considerably on the cutting process, but it has taken a couple of bad noses on my spirits to make me a believer. ill keep you posted on the next run.
whiskykid
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/12/2014(UTC)
Posts: 76
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Good info. Im going to consume as much of this as I can before I sweat a drop. 
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