Does avg wine make ok Brandy?

[R3dRanga]

Hi all,

I have a friend who's a wine maker and he's just given me a 20L barrel of wine that's apparently not good enough for his label. He said it's been sitting for a while and needs running before it turns to vinegar.

Maybe I've watched too many episodes of Moonshiners, but I accepted the wine thinking I could pull out the copper mesh in my Boka and run it more of a pot still to get a brandy.

I have no clue on this, so happy to accept any advice.

[RC Al]

Yup, pot still for brandy, cut into small amounts and get your (assumed brandy snob) mate in to say what he likes in the various jars, nothing to loose for either of you and hopefully you both gain some insight :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Wellsy]

Had the same thing happen to me Red. My wine was left overs they used to top up the barrels each year. Distilled it and made cuts, went on mouth feel as much as taste when doing the cuts.
Straight off the still it is grappa, tasted like absolute crap that burnt your throat at40%. Gave a bottle to a Greek friend who told me best he has ever had.
Put some on oak and some in bottles. 12 months on grappa isdrinkable but not enjoyable and aged 65% diluted back to 40% blows your head off. It gets better after a few weeks of dilution.
Iwill be leaving it another 12 months.
Many on here say that brandy needs 2 years.
Everyone’s taste is different and you may find the wine drinkers who don’t like bourbon scotch love the stuff.
Go for it you have nothing to loose

[The Stig]

pull out the copper mesh in my Boka and run it more of a pot still.

Be careful doing this.
If you see steam coming out the top you will need to stop.
If its a 5 Star Boka ? They are not designed to run as a pot still, thats why we sell the pot head option.

[JammL]

Had the same thing happen to me Red. My wine was left overs they used to top up the barrels each year. Distilled it and made cuts, went on mouth feel as much as taste when doing the cuts.
Straight off the still it is grappa, tasted like absolute crap that burnt your throat at40%. Gave a bottle to a Greek friend who told me best he has ever had.
Put some on oak and some in bottles. 12 months on grappa isdrinkable but not enjoyable and aged 65% diluted back to 40% blows your head off. It gets better after a few weeks of dilution.
Iwill be leaving it another 12 months.
Many on here say that brandy needs 2 years.
Everyone’s taste is different and you may find the wine drinkers who don’t like bourbon scotch love the stuff.
Go for it you have nothing to loose

Haha, I too have a Greek friend who likes stronger drinks :)
And in general I can't imagine a 65% strength drink - I can fly into "space" after 100g :-D