Proof too high ?

[mikelklsnr]

Just made my first batch using the turbo yeast, and 17 pounds of sugar. Fermented for a week... ran it thru the still last night, registered on the alcoholmeter at 100 proof... How did this happen on the first run, and will I have to (and how to) cut the proof down?

[LWTCS]

100 proof is 50% abv

95% abv would be 190 proof.


Now what was it you were asking about

[mikelklsnr]

My question is if I run it through the Easystill again, isn't it going to make my proof higher. Its already at 100 proof. If it gets high than that, can i just dilute it with water to lower the proof?

[LWTCS]

Your not getting it.

100 proof (50% abv) out of a reflux column is very poor performance indeed.

50% abv would be a very respectable strip run out of a potstill.
Running through a second time (dilute to 40% with clean water) should get you in azeotrope range. Wait,,,, don't know if the easy still can get you there.

Then dilute to your prefered drinking proof.

Are you making cuts?

[mikelklsnr]

This is the first time we have ever done this. We are using EasyStill. not sure of the termonology... I just know that when we measured the first "batch" after the first distillation, it came out to 100 proof and 50% ABV. We don't know how to lower the proof if that is what you mean by "cutting"? Can we lower the proof by adding water, and what is the ratio? Our questions might seem kind of basic, but there are no instructions that came with the easystill. We are completly confused about this process...

[heeler]

Yeah.......just pour some water in you holding pitcher - a little bit at a time. Then measure again, add a little bit more if needed. A little goes a LONG way at this time. I just use those little bottles of water which is good water -
u no reverse osmossis treated water. So just go slow and remeasure.

[LWTCS]

Ok Mike, sorry for going too fast.

I don't own an easy still, nor have I run one. So I'm gonna treat it like a potstill.

Most likker is sold at 40% abv (80 proof). Some good sipping rums are sold at 35% abv (70 proof).


So when you run your still one time you are getting 50% abv. But (I could be wrong) I suspect that a second run through the still (diluted to 40% first) will give you a cleaner,crisper likkker.

On your first run collect everything (how big is your still charge?) down to 20% or so. then dilute that down to 40% and run through the still again (you don"t have to do this all at once).

When you run again, collect your distillate with small collection jars perhaps 200 ml to 300ml at a time (how big is your boiler).

The first bit out of the still is poison. DO NOT DRINK. Discard the first 30ml or so.Smell it. Learn that smell. This is called FORES.

The next bit out the still is called HEADS.
This bit smells sweet (kinda good) but do not be deceived. There is a bunch of nasty compounds within the HEADS section. The hangovers are here. Some rum gents use heads to flavor with.........me, I stir clear of HEADS.

The next bit will be your HEARTS.
HEARTS will smell the most nuetural. This is the cream of your likker. This is good drinkin head ach free cream. This is what we all want.

And finally TAILS will be the last bit.
TAILS smells abit like an old shoe or kinda moldy smelling. Early tails can have quite a bit of good alcohol so collect down to 20% or so and re run TAILS (and HEADS) with your next batch.

By collecting in small jars you can more precisly keep the bad parts of the run from getting into your hearts.

let your jars air for a day then evaluate. Start from the center and work your way out from either side to find the most nuetural jars. Late heads and early tails can be kinda good tasting so be careful if you want to add back heads or tails to your drinking stock.

By executing strick cuts, you will get a very high quality spirit indeed.
At your pleasure dilute to desired drinking proof. But be careful not to serve high proof to an unsuspecting person.

I like a barrel strenth (65 or 70 %) drink cut with a mixer myself.

[Bayou-Ruler]

Originally Posted by mikelklsnr

This is the first time we have ever done this. We are using EasyStill. not sure of the termonology... I just know that when we measured the first "batch" after the first distillation, it came out to 100 proof and 50% ABV. We don't know how to lower the proof if that is what you mean by "cutting"? Can we lower the proof by adding water, and what is the ratio? Our questions might seem kind of basic, but there are no instructions that came with the easystill. We are completly confused about this process...

I suggest you go here: http://distillers.tastylime.net/library/HomedistillerMirror/Org/static_menu.htm

and have a good long read.