Long Time Brewer first Time Distiller

[spot on]

Hi People Have had a interest in distilling for a while now having more time on my hands thought I would give it a crack as dont mind a bloody Mary or a good G&T or whiskey over ice . Watched a few videos on gube tube and thought I can do this so went to my HBS guy and he recommended the Kegland reflux column and carbon filter would be a way to dip my toe.Got my first Turbo wash going then started going through countless videos of waffle on gube tube where I was at the point of giving up The handbrake is a avid book face user so asked her if there was any distilling groups she put me on to one and said Ill join you up but I said ill have a read first , Well after about 30 seconds I thought what the! There was talk of birdwatchers , wheetbix , tomatoe paste . So last resort went to DR. Google At last things were starting to make sense. In the mean time wash had been bubbling away for about 12 days ( have been brewing on and of for about 30years and never used airlock but thought better do right thing ) gravity was on about 990 so I thought I would give it a couple more days . Time to do this so took lid off fermenter to rack into boiler haven't smelt anything like it since I sealed our slate floors gut said throw it out nothing good will come of this but thought continue on nothing to loose , Set up column and cooling water and went for it surprising enough everything started to happen as per gube tube . Chucked out firts 200ml of foresots then had trouble picking heads and harts all smelt same same After about 2 1/2 hours collected about 2.5lt of 89% which wasnt to sure whether to keep or not but left it over night loosely covered . Eventually come across Distillers Forum started reading but was under the impression that they weren't to accommodating of newbies so eventually found this forum and thought finally this is it . Ended up diluting down to 40% and running through carbon filter (more drips ) Brought some essence from HBS ( Bourbon, Violet gin and whiskey ) BUt all tasted to harsh so back to drawing board after reading more post will give TPW ago . Gotta start somewhere.

[Professor Green]

Welcome to AD mate.

Good move ditching the turbos, they're only good for making hand sanitiser and even then I;d hesitate. Your should get much better results from TPW. I can also recommend WBAB as good base for neutral. Also makes a reasonably good whiskey base if you pot still it and chuck it on oak.

Have a read of this and the threads linked therein, they'll help you get a good start on your journey. The thread on cuts is essential reading.

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

[Wellsy]

Welcome board spot on.

Don’t stress about not being able to pick the cut over from heads to hearts, practice will get you there :).
Some of still need more practise :).
Some people rely on smell others taste, and others a combination, it is all about what works for you.

Have a good read of the newbies section so much good info in there. Just be a bit careful of what you find on YouTube or Facebook as it is not always accurate. I heard some self appointed expert on the radio the other day saying how methanol is produced when you distilll at the wrong temperature and back yards cannot control that so that makes back yard booze so dangerous. He used to distill at home so knew what he was talking about.

[spot on]

Thank for the welcome guys and advice looking forward to getting TPW going

[WoodyD40]

Gidday Spot On

welcome to the Forum.

There is lots to learn in the many pages here.