Thought I'd post this following my first run on a copper column T500.
Replaced the distillate output tube with a copper pipe. Looks much better for it !
My wash was a 25l sugar wash using Still Spirits turbo triple pack. Smelt a bit during fermentation, difficult to describe but definitely not as 'clean' as the TPW I've got on as my second attempt.
After a thorough clean of the T500 I poured in the wash.
I followed, generally, Doubleuj's proper way to run T500.
I was nervous about doing cuts, never having sniffed any before this but was reassured by advise on this site - 'you'll just know', and to my surprise found that yes, the start of the heads ad the end of the tails stink !. Smells getting more like neutral spirit the closer to the middle you get.
I am so glad I tried the cuts, Still Spirits say you can drink the lot (exc fores) , and you probably could. I chose not to. The fores are unforgettable and I found that I could smell acetone traces into the first 300ml. Great experience and a real pleasure. Anyroad, I made cuts every 150ml for 8 jars, then collected a litre, then another 7.5 jars at 150ml. I aired them for 24 hours.
I saved the middle litre and jars 6,7,8,10,11,& 12. To my untrained nose, they smealt like vodka.
I diluted to 40%, filtered through a carbon teabag - what a fuckabout. Dont intend doing that again.
I intended to use this as a sacrificial run but i the interest of science, decided to use up my essences and try it.
Top Shelf Gin - acceptable. I've had worse. No real depth of anything. Won't be using again unless I add some junipers after bottling.
Classics London Gin - Much better than the Top Shelf. I would stick with this if I didn't plan to improve my skills or invest in pot still mod.
Classics Navy Rum - drinkable but too sweet/spiced for me.
Classics Jamaicn Rum - not too bad at all. Lacking any true rum flavours, but with fresh OJ or a ginger ale I can't complain.
My thoughts are what do I do next?
I don't fancy running the T500 in water distillation mode to emulate a pot still, so will prob try infusing botanicals in neutral spirit to make a better gin than that from essences
After that then probably a copper alembic and condenser add on to the T500. Downside is I read that the condenser is too small. Power controller not a problem, but the condenser? Can't see any after market third party ones on sale, so might just work my way through learning as I go.
Bottom line - bloody good fun. Best day off work I've had for ages.