Hi, I'm new...

[EileenC]

Hi Everyone, :greetings-waveyellow:
I'm new to the site and quite new to the process of distilling too. I have an Air Still and mainly make spirit for my own whiskey consumption (+Hubby!), and also make fruit infusions - a bit of experimentation with that, and mostly for gifts. I live in South Australia. I have only used the mainstream wash components - dextrose, Turbo yeast, etc. and not getting the clean flavour/smell that I expect. Am about to try TPW today... Let's see how it goes!

[Professor Green]

Hi Eileen.

For your air still, I would recommend you try out one of the cereal based washes like NGW or WBAB rather than TPW. The air still won't strip out all of the flavours from the wash so you'll end up with a kind of tomato whisky. Also have you seen the thread in the pot still section on the best way to run an Air Still?

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

[Carol]

Hi Eileen
I had an airstill for a long time before upgrading to a FSD 2"Boka and pot. I agree with Professor Green. The cereal based washes worked better with the airstill than the TPW. The guide on how to run an airstill (see the diagram on doing a stripping run and then a spirit run) makes a far better product even though it takes longer. When I first used the turbo yeast/dextrose package I thought it smelt (and tasted) like rocket fuel - but I did not know any better so used it anyway. The slight wheaty taste from a cereal based wash is not unpleasant and will work with whisky essences and fruit infusions. I have an easy DIY version of Baileys that is very popular with my taste testers. Happy to share the recipe if that is something you like to make.
This is a great forum. Helpful people. Lots to learn and lots of fun.
Cheers
Carol

[Carol]

The other really useful thing is to keep notes - of washes, distillation and the recipes you make. It is very handy to be able to go back and look at what worked well and what was not so good.

[Doubleuj]

Hi Eileen, welcome to the forum. Definitely try a wbab or ngw next :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Rumblepants]

I'm new too. I just got an airstill off a mate and have just done my first ferment, strip and spirit run. I did the Nutrigrain wash from the Tried and Proven recipes. Its turned out quite nice with a double distill. Kind of grainy,caramelly flavour. I recommend!