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Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Wed May 16, 2018 2:31 pm
by bluc
2l exactly at 65% from 3rd lot :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Ezi do you use the same yeast in the sugarhead? Is it better than lowans Thinking of moving away from lowans..

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Wed May 16, 2018 6:56 pm
by EziTasting
bluc wrote:2l exactly at 65% from 3rd lot :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Ezi do you use the same yeast in the sugarhead? Is it better than lowans Thinking of moving away from lowans..


I did this time, yes.

I feel that each of the recipes that I’ve done has on underlying flavour which I put down to lowans yeast... it’s not a bad taste but it makes my neutral, CFW, rum and first couple of AGs all seem to have a similar taste.
Since you to EC1118 & the American Whisky yeast I get very different and, to me, cleaner flavours!

My opinion!

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Wed May 16, 2018 7:21 pm
by bluc
Yea finding the same prob time for me to up my game..I know big diff from all grain and sugarhead but thought it was due to all grain, prob is the yeast.
I might take docs advice on the neutral yeast
By uvaferm..

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Thu May 17, 2018 8:32 am
by coffe addict
My last two barley mashes have been using us05 the smell is so much better both as wash and coming off the still. I can't say how much of that is due to the yeast and how much is due to a process change that I've adopted at the same time. Possibly a bit of both but there's a big improvement. Now just need to wait a yr to see how much difference the end product gets lol.

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Thu May 17, 2018 6:42 pm
by EziTasting
coffe addict wrote:My last two barley mashes have been using us05 the smell is so much better both as wash and coming off the still. I can't say how much of that is due to the yeast and how much is due to a process change that I've adopted at the same time. Possibly a bit of both but there's a big improvement. Now just need to wait a yr to see how much difference the end product gets lol.



Haha just repeat the process with Bakers yeast and you'll find out reeeeeaaalll fast! :doh:

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Fri May 18, 2018 12:22 am
by coffe addict
Haha too true ezi but I also can just have another drink and be content with improved whisky with out ever knowing how much is due to the yeast :laughing-rolling:

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2018 1:51 pm
by Minijcw
After a good result in making the mash it all fell apart on the first stripping run. I had more foam than a cafe at peak morning trade. I even thought my boiler was stuffed because it was not making the usual heating up sounds.
I used butter until i ran our of it and then i loaded it up with some olive oil. All of which did SFA.

To get the gear out in the end i ran in it 2 X 10L runs in a 30L boiler. I made the change half way through the run when the puking just got too bad.

I am a little gun shy to do the next mash. Just wanted to check if you guys are having same issues with foam and what you do about it.
If you are not having foam ups what am i missing in the mash process.
Cheers.

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2018 2:01 pm
by bluc
Yes all grain is very well known for wanting to puke. Hopefully you dont get flavour carry over from butter oil.. bring it up to temp gently or boil it hard then turn off for 10-15mins then heat back up helps to apparently..

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2018 7:07 pm
by Minijcw
Thanks mate i will give it a slower heat up next time and see what happens.

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2018 11:29 pm
by EziTasting
Being a lazy person, I run my boiler the same way each time! When it pukes, kill the power, then as it settles turn it back on... it all settles down after that.

It’s unfermentable sugars that do it.

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2018 7:52 am
by woodduck
EziTasting wrote:Being a lazy person, I run my boiler the same way each time! When it pukes, kill the power, then as it settles turn it back on... it all settles down after that.

It’s unfermentable sugars that do it.


I'm even lazier, I just use a thumper :laughing-rolling:

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Sat May 26, 2018 7:54 am
by EziTasting
Love your work, Wooddy!

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Sun May 27, 2018 7:01 pm
by coffe addict
What temp was the mash? I've found 63c manageable but the one that was done at 66c was unbearable to run. Also when I changed to a pump recirculating the whole time I'm mashing helps to filter out some of the proteins resulting in a cleaner wort which is easier to strip.
I boil hard then turn off for 15mins then slowly back to temp. Always leave 20L head space in my boiler on whisky runs, they make rum look like child's play :laughing-rolling:

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Sun May 27, 2018 8:37 pm
by Dig Brinker
Quick question to you grain guys, when conversion happens does the grain drop to the bottom or does it stay suspended like porridge? And then you sparge/strain???? :wtf:

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Sun May 27, 2018 8:42 pm
by EziTasting
Dig Brinker wrote:Quick question to you grain guys, when conversion happens does the grain drop to the bottom or does it stay suspended like porridge? And then you sparge/strain???? :wtf:



I'm not that experienced as yet but for me theres not that much extra water in the FV to make it a 'suspension' as such... but I have found that the grain does eventually groups together and then does sink... so when the yeast is finished the lot seems to precipitate out and you are left with a layer of beautiful brown beer on top.
The grain seems to retain around 1L /1Kg of grain so I am currently using an old bedsheet top strain the grain...

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Sun May 27, 2018 9:13 pm
by Dig Brinker
No I’m referring to the actual mash & conversion process, before yeast is added. I have grain & hot water in a bucket, it’s like a watery porridge. So the grain is in suspension as such. After a couple hours. Does it stay that way? Then strain & sparge? Or like a finished wash, does the grain sink and the mash “clear” like a finished wash??

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Sun May 27, 2018 9:21 pm
by bluc
Ezi is on the money With all grain it aint like a sgarhead with a bit of grain on bottom. The mash tun is pretty well chockers with grain. Maybe inch liquid above it grain from top of vessel to false bottom.
To put it into perspective in a 60l tun. 14 kilo of grain at a mash thickness of 1 to 3 so 42l water 14 kg grain you have literally 5mm space to overflowing..

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Sun May 27, 2018 9:23 pm
by bluc
I am going to be experinenting whith a different setup grain goes in one vessel and liquid in another and is contantly recylced. Bonus is more grain can be mashed in same size vessel..and a much higher effeciency..

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Sun May 27, 2018 9:28 pm
by EziTasting
I also find that when the yeast is active, the grain ‘stays’ in suspension!

But yes, I found that there will be a small separation at the end... it’s just NOT as Distiller it as with sugarheads!

Re: whisky all grain

PostPosted: Sun May 27, 2018 9:33 pm
by Dig Brinker
Thanks guys, it seems to have thinned out somewhat and has a bit of peaty sweetness so I reckon it’s ready to strain & sparge. Not making a full all-grain, just the base for a fine scotch Whisky from tried & proven recipes. Don’t have iodine test but will get for next time.