G'day from SA

[mudsta]

Hi folk’s 1st time poster here....thought I had best introduce myself.

Have been reading info off this site for a couple weeks and figured I should sign up to learn the ways of the Jedi. ^:)^
All I can say is...WOW! The art of still and spirit making has come a loooong way over the past 17 years.
You guys have some QUALITY bits of kit! All hail the internet! :dance:

I used to use a 50L tig welded stainless steel pot still I built (packed for reflux) to make neutrals...waaay back in 1997. Back then information was rare and hard to come by, so I learn my still design and techniques scratched together from a rough drawing from an old timer.

Still 1.jpg

Gave that old girl a thrashing for a few years then had to sell it. Since then I’ve carved out a solid career in the pro beer brewing industry and have decided to get back into it all.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) I have just loaned a mothballed 25L Still Spirits Super Reflux Still (+ extension) off a mate.

Loan 1.jpg

Soooo I went into a HBS a couple weeks ago and tried to get up to speed on the range of things wash wise available. Got some Still Spirits Triple Distilled (joke of a name!) turbo yeast...turbo carbon...and turbo clear. (Mock away) :violence-smack:

Then found this site...Ahh that’s more my speed. Thankfully your knowledge already has steered me in the right direction.
Today I did my 21L SSTD wash AND...a 23L TPW and I’m really looking forward to the TPW results.
My aim is to start by making the best quality neutral possible, no matter what.
In time, after much suckling at all your knowledge, I will build another custom still. Would love to delve into pot stilling raw wash for real deal spirit, not the neutral + cordial avenue. I have my eye on you rum recipe... :D

With my washes I just put on I will try the many cuts method to gain the best quality. My old technique was ditch the head (poison) collect as much sweet middle and collect tails for a stockpiled 2nd spirit run. Used to just use three jars (once dialled in) and only 1 distillation run. Will try many smaller cuts as shown here and put my honed sensory skills to the job.

So I have a few questions already but will post them in the proper forum areas.

Loving getting back into it already!
Shine’ on my fellow brewmasters and cheers for your info already :-D

[Sam.]

Welcome Mudsta, sounds like you have a good plan going there :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Zak Griffin]

Welcome mate :) good to see another country South Aussie here :)

Build a quick pot still and start on the rums and bourbons (CFW, BKO or mac whisky) and you'll never use an essence again (within reason...)

Your old cuts method sounds about right!

Again, welcome :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Matt_Pl]

Welcome to the forums mate.

Good to see more people from SA :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[bt1]

Welcome bloke,

Nice intro great location!

If you need a hand sourcing in SA sing out... we've most items you need covered.

Enjoy the learning curve!

cheers
bt1

[mudsta]

Thanks for the welcome my fellow SA brew crew! :greetings-waveyellow:

Feel right at home already :D

[Andy]

hey mate. welcome.
definitely get onto a pot build with your beer experience

[Bushy]

Hey Mud :greetings-waveyellow:
Whats with yr eightball avatar mate?

[Andy]

Hey Mud :greetings-waveyellow:
Whats with yr eightball avatar mate?

3.5 grams of cocaine :text-lol:

[mudsta]

Hey Mud :greetings-waveyellow:
Whats with yr eightball avatar mate?

3.5 grams of cocaine :text-lol:

Ha HA HA ha harrr! :))

Do know the reference well, but...
Much prefer my units in Kgs... not g's :shifty: :scared-eek:

[RuddyCrazy]

G'day Mudsta,
Radelaide hills here mate and oneday intend takin da family over to York so oneday may get to have a drop or 3.

[MacStill]

:handgestures-thumbupleft: ... Welcome to the forum

[mudsta]

Thanks mac, great forum you have built here. :smile:

I must say that your 5 star creations are truly jaw dropping :o
Keep up the good work!

[bt1]

Bloke,

forgot to mention I know the picy is old school one and your about to revamp the new still but lose the plastic output tube to avoid nasties leaching into your spirits on your rebuild.

There's plenty of info about BCP leaching in solvent alco...

bt1

[mudsta]

Bloke,

forgot to mention I know the picy is old school one and your about to revamp the new still but lose the plastic output tube to avoid nasties leaching into your spirits on your rebuild.

There's plenty of info about BCP leaching in solvent alco...

bt1

bt1,

Thanks for the heads up! :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I did have a good read of the forums 'No Plastic' rules in the newbies corner a couple days ago, which was great.
It's these little things that I learn from all of you that make for a better quality and safer end product.
Which is exactly why I'm here :smile:
Cheers,

Mud

P.S. bt1 could you offer any advice on my questions posted here? http://www.aussiedistiller.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5971