Howdy from East Gippsland

by **Rolf Boldrewood** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 6:16 pm

Howdy, been lurking for a while and decided to join up. I have purchased a pot still (in the post) and in the process of building a smaller pot still for spirit runs (have I got the terminology right?). I have access to over 100 apple trees (a mixture of cider and dessert), 1000 grape vines and numerous pears and plums.

Had a go at this in my uni days in the late 70's trying to make rum. Was absolutely terrible and possibly deadly. No Internet back then of course just a book from the library 'How to make a still'.

I have a few questions which I will post in the relevant forums.

Looking forward to getting into this. Wanting to eventually make a high quality Calvados and plum brandy. I have been making a very nice (IMHO) satsuma plum port for the last few years.

Regards

Rolf

by **JayD** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 6:26 pm

Welcome to the forum, sounds like your off to a good start... :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **Kimbo** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 7:30 pm

Hi Rolf, welcome to the forum mate. A couple of members here have had some really good results with plums :mrgreen:

by **Sam.** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 9:03 pm

Welcome aboard mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Plenty of info in regards to what you are looking for here ;-)

by **Smbjk** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 11:25 pm

Hi rolf :handgestures-thumbupleft: some of the best beef in Australia gomes from gipsland :drool:

by **noname4670** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 12:12 am

welcome mate

by **dogbreath vodka** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 5:55 am

Welcome Rolf
Lurking is good.... building is better. :D :D

DBV

by **tipsy** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 8:47 am

Hi Rolf :wave:

by **wedwards** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 3:41 pm

Where in east Gippsland are you from? I am in Morwell. Welcome. If the cider apples can be purchased, let me know as I make some awesome cider when I can actually get proper cider apples at a decent price.

by **Rolf Boldrewood** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 4:05 pm

Hi WEdwards, I'm sorry that we don't have any apples for sale as we intend to make cider ourselves (as well as a bit of Calvados).

Rolf

by **wedwards** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 7:15 am

Oh well, worth a try ;)

by **Rolf Boldrewood** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 4:22 pm

Not wanting to rub in it wedwards but I thought you might be interested in what varieties we have.

Cider Apples:
Somerset Red Streak
Reines de Hatives
Brown Snout
Hubbardston Nonsuch
Improved Foxwhelp
Kingston Black

General Purpose (but all will go into Cider or Calavados):
Gravenstein
James Greive
Cox's Orange Pippin
Early McIntosh
Jonagold
Pink Lady

120 trees all up. Planted in July 2010 and we should be able to make a small amount of cider this year. Really looking forward to doing some varietal fermentation and then blending.

Rolf

by **JayD** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 4:23 pm

yup he's not rubbing it in..lol's