Watermelon Brandy

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Watermelon Brandy

Postby Georgio » Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:06 pm

Hi folks,

Watermelon is cheap as atm. 58c per kg.
Picked up 6 decent size melons.

Chopped them up put em through my juicer. Ended up with 20L. Added 5kgs white sugar and topped up to 40L. Final mash at 1.063. Re hydrating ec 1118 yeast atm. 2 teaspoons yeast nutrient. Will update on how she turns out. Going to run it through the bubbler with 3 plates.
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby bluc » Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:43 pm

Watching with interest..
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby mattyb » Fri Jan 10, 2020 8:13 pm

I have no idea about fermenting fruits but surely it would taste beautiful just as the mash? Looking to do some fruit ferments this year
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby bluc » Fri Jan 10, 2020 8:29 pm

Any idea how many kilo of untouchd fruit?
Last edited by bluc on Fri Jan 10, 2020 8:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby Georgio » Sat Jan 11, 2020 6:26 am

It was nearly 50kg of melons.
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby Georgio » Sat Jan 11, 2020 6:47 am

Fermenting nicely. Waited till mash temp was 29. Pitched yeast. Temp in my garage is hot atm. Ferment is back up to 32c. If it gets any hotter will probably wrap fermenter up in wet towel and turn fan on. If it keeps steady will just let it keep doing its thing. Rather have it stay slightly warm than have too much temp variation.
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby Georgio » Sat Jan 11, 2020 6:53 am

Also forgot to mention pH of mash before pitching yeast was 5.6 so I didnt adjust pH at all before pitching yeast. Not sure if it was the melon, sugar or nutrient contributing to the slight acidity but just left it where it was.
Last edited by Georgio on Sat Jan 11, 2020 6:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby bluc » Sat Jan 11, 2020 12:27 pm

Thanks :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby Georgio » Wed Jan 15, 2020 8:52 pm

Update....

Finished fermenting in 3 days .990. Let clear 24hrs in the house with AC on. Minister of finance was not impressed :violence-stickwhack:

Started run with 3 plates. Refluxed for 30mins. Ran off fores and heads slow. Abv at 88%. No flavour at all.

Shut off RC totally and just ran as a pot. Abv dropped to 80% and then the flavour started. Bloody excellent. I collected 300ml cuts down to 50abv.

Happy with what I have thus far. Will blend back tomorrow and let you know how it goes.
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby The Stig » Wed Jan 15, 2020 10:06 pm

What time did you say your calling round ? :dance: :greetings-waveyellow:
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby Georgio » Thu Jan 16, 2020 8:52 am

Hahaha....I will put some in reserve for next time I pop over Stiggy. :obscene-drinkingdrunk:
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby Georgio » Thu Jan 16, 2020 5:42 pm

Blended cuts back this arvo.

Ended up with 2.8L of keep @ 74%abv. I am pleased overall with the spirit. It needs some time to rest.

I have proofed down to 65%. I am going to let it sit and mellow for a while. It is smooth already, due to runnjng the heads through 3 plates with reflux. Fores and heads slow.

I was expecting more of a candy watermelon taste, what I ended up with is def more natural in flavour.

Worth a shot if you like watermelon and you can get it cheap :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby db1979 » Thu Jan 16, 2020 8:16 pm

Sounds great mate, maybe I'll have to visit the Stig at the same time :teasing-neener: :laughing-rolling:
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby bluc » Fri Jan 17, 2020 10:13 am

Are you drinking it as is or putting on oak?
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby Georgio » Fri Jan 17, 2020 5:28 pm

DB....I will let you know when I reckon its ready :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Bluc...I am going to leave it white most definitely. I checked it today and am much happier after it has aired for 48hrs.

This one will be good chilled like Vodka. It leaves an amazing after taste. Literally like you get after eating a fresh sweet chunk of watermelon. Best served cold :D
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby Georgio » Fri Jan 17, 2020 5:38 pm

I dont think I will bring the proof lower than 100 or 50% Abv. This is something special for sure.

To explain the taste.....
I have had "infused vodka" before. It tastes like that but much more natural, flavoursome and an aftertaste that lingers just like when you eat fresh watermelon. Its almost like an oily coating of watermelon is left in your mouth after the alcohol goes down your gullet.
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equipment: 50l keg boiler.
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby bluc » Fri Jan 17, 2020 6:00 pm

:dance:
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby Georgio » Fri Jan 17, 2020 6:20 pm

:happy-partydance: :happy-partydance: :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby Lowie » Fri Jan 17, 2020 9:47 pm

Sounds awesome fella :handgestures-thumbupleft: are you drinking it neat or with something?
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Re: Watermelon Brandy

Postby db1979 » Fri Jan 17, 2020 9:51 pm

Think I'll need to make some myself.
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