Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Hey guys, yesterday afternoon I put down 100L of UJ. I used 16L of feed grade cracked maize which looked fine when I poured into clear measuring jug, and deposited into fermenter. I've checked on it this morning and the ferment is going hard, however I have black wevel looking critters bubbling around on the surface which must have been buried deep in the corn. Given that this wash has cost me around $35 to put down, my question is:

Will these bugs have any effect on generational sour mashing, my guess would be yes..

Will it effect the spirit in gen 1? My suspicions is I'll prob get away with it.

My plan is to run this gen 1 through the bubbler and hoping for some light white dog corn whisky to drink, has anyone run gen 1 through and can comment on the amount of flavour, and profile coming through? Gen 2 on would be aged as bourbon.

Cheers guys,

Nathan.

Just scoop em out :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Nathan02 wrote:...
My plan is to run this gen 1 through the bubbler and hoping for some light white dog corn whisky to drink, has anyone run gen 1 through and can comment on the amount of flavour, and profile coming through? Gen 2 on would be aged as bourbon.

Cheers guys,

Nathan.

Don't think you'll be getting much flavour in the first couple of gens, from what I've read... it'll be more like a natural until the flavour grows. Just know, I've never done this recipe as yet.

db1979 wrote:Just scoop em out :handgestures-thumbupleft:

:text-+1:

If you have any grain left put it all in the freezer. It'll kill the weevils or they'll keep eating all the starches!

Are you certain they are weevils? I quite often end up with black bits in the cracked corn I get from the stock feed store and they are definitely not weevils or critters. Either which way, scoop them out or filter as you transfer to the still. I suspect the fermentation and heat from the still will kill off any nasties if it is weevils.
I recently did the same wash, just in a smaller volume. Gen 1, 4 kgs cracked corn in 50 litre wash and ran thru the bubbler with 4 plates and no packed section. I ended up with exactly what you are looking for...a light, white dog, corn whiskey. I found it to be a bit weak with corn flavor but yours has a bit more corn so it might work out ok. Only one way to find out!

Agree with if you do not do something with the corn they will eat and make a big mess as that is what happened to my stored corn years ago. Had some chilli powder in a coffee container and it got crawlers in it an a friend had taco seasoning that had the same problem.

Roger on the corn freeze will do that in the morning. Will scoop out whatever I can off the top in the morning. Yeah they are definitely little bugs. Thanks for the advice guys.

Hey fatguts if I put this through 5 plates, assuming on your results, how close do you think this would be to a neutral

Nathan02 wrote:Hey fatguts if I put this through 5 plates, assuming on your results, how close do you think this would be to a neutral

Wont be neutral mate. Ive done plenty of these and gen 1 or gen 3or4 (dont usually get further than that) it's never neutral. Unless youre chucking it through a reflux still that is.

yep thanks warra, I did assume as much and I know its not the standard for making a neutral. But having heard that this first gen can be used as a neutral run in a reflux, I liked the idea of this being a very light sweet corn vodka to shoot straight. I think I will just stick with the original plan and drop back to 4 plates for a a white corn whisky style of spirit. Will report with accurate results anyhow. Cheers

Makes a good "vodka" have used it a few times. Theres little taste there but is quite complimentary :handgestures-thumbupleft:(through bubbler)

Nathan02 wrote:Hey fatguts if I put this through 5 plates, assuming on your results, how close do you think this would be to a neutral

Sorry Nathan, i haven't done it with 5 plates so i cant really give you a definite answer. I agree with Warramungas and Bluc, I dont think it would be neutral. Might get close though with 5 plates and a packed section???

I do 4 plates and 600mm packed section filled with scoria. My alcometer floats bout half way between 95 and 100..