Bad smell and taste

[bluc]

If your spirit is 55abv without adding water you added to much tails. On a pot I used to stop my hearts cut round 70% add 5% water age at 65%. Just a rough guide you cant make good cuts by abv.
Did you double distill strip then spirit run?

[The Stig]

You can’t make cuts by temp either .
Cuts is where the “art” of distilling comes in and it takes time to learn the smells, the taste and even the feel between your finger tips

[tigersbeer]

Yes, I do have a lot to learn. The voltage regulator seemed to control the column temperature though. I just did a spirit run as I thought I would lose to much as I didn't have another batch. I do a lot of reading but all to much for my head all at once.

[Wellsy]

Tigersbeer first thing is to say well done on getting a spirit out of your run. We have all been there mate where you are almost overwhelmed by what you have to learn. Re read the cuts section in the newbies guide. The first few times it is exceptionally daunting. The ABV will give you a good idea on where to start looking to make your cuts but every run will be a little different. On my pot still tails used to kick in around the 70% - 65% as has been said. Don’t get hung up on descriptions and your nose will adjust,or more correctly you will get better at recognising what you are smelling. Heads for me is always nail polish, never been able to smell wet dog in the tails but I kn9w the smell. Let your cuts breath for a day if you can as your senses will be overloaded if you try and do it when you finish your run. Hang in there and remember it will get easier mate. Well done again on getting booze, next step is drinkable booze lol

[tigersbeer]

Should I leave this on oak, throw it, or charcoal filter and hopefully get some neutral.

[bluc]

Charcoal may help clean up the tails. Then put it on oak. If you have a reflux column you could make neutral but would be waste of flavoured ingrediants. Unless of course your a fan of vodka neutral