Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Have done about 6 runs now and I'm still struggling with working out when heads start/stop and hearts start, it all smells/taste the same.

I start my foreshots really slow maybe 2-3 drops a second and continue this till I have about 350-400mls.

I start the collection into 300ml cuts, after airing for a night I go back to smell/taste and still can't tell the difference, I think I get about 3 cuts in before it smells just like the rest.

I'm running a 4 plated column on a keg boiler running about 35 litre standard rum wash.

Am I missing the heads by throwing out 400mls at a slow takeoff, how much heads would one expect to get out of a 35ltr molasses wash.

You’re not missing the heads at all, but I’d say you’re confusing your senses, it happens to me.
I’d suggest leaving the cuts for 48 hrs, take some coffee beans with you to clear your nose between jars and most importantly be patient, sometimes I have to walk away and come back before I can get it right.

But all in all, you’ll get better and just be harsh on your cuts.
:handgestures-thumbupleft:

How are you testing your cuts? If you're just giving them a sniff straight from the cut jar you will struggle. Take a small sample from each cut jar and dilute it. I take a 5ml sample and add 10 ml water, give it a swirl and then give it a smell.

Rum is harder than neutral to determine cuts as well...

Definitely, I’ve been trying to help a mate who just started and he’s doing rums, even i was struggling with the cuts

look for atifical/chemical sweetness and flavours green apple/bubblegum to name a couple also solvent like taste or smell.
if im struggling i also look for the point where the spirit is more neutral for lack of a better word. Not nessacarely no flavour but it changes to more pleasant. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Dip your finger in and put it in your mouth. If it tastes like shit throw it away. If it tastes good keep it. So cheap to make, why fuck around?

orcy wrote:Dip your finger in and put it in your mouth. If it tastes like shit throw it away. If it tastes good keep it. So cheap to make, why fuck around?

TIME!!! About the only thing on this planet more precious than booze. Ok, and good lovin too.

orcy wrote:Dip your finger in and put it in your mouth. If it tastes like shit throw it away. If it tastes good keep it. So cheap to make, why fuck around?

This isn’t good advice orcy, it’s definitely not safe practice to taste “pure” spirit off the still at potentially 90+%, even if it’s only a drop from your finger.

Can't really "taste" at 90 blows out tastebuds also..

orcy wrote:Dip your finger in and put it in your mouth. If it tastes like shit throw it away. If it tastes good keep it. So cheap to make, why fuck around?

I'm with orcy on this one, I can usually get a rough estimate of cuts with just a little drop, airing and diluting helps to refine it where to make cuts but it's all information. A drop or two on your finger isn't like taking a shot of 93 %. If it works for you then why not?

I don’t feel that leaving a lingering message that consuming high concentration alcohol in any amounts is a good message for future newbies, perhaps a discussion for the donars section.

Off the still a rub on the finger and a sniff will give you a good indication :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I'm way more sober after dipping a finger in a few jars than diluting and tasting them. Pallate doesn't get all messed up either. I normally get it pretty close with smell and taste straight from the still. Then air for a couple of days and taste the and jars to see if they are worth keeping. 90 percent of the time they aren't.