Essences etc

[The Stig]

So, Im thinking that adding some essences or flavourings and dare I say cordials to the store might be a good thing.
Im looking for a show of hands as to what styles would anybody want ?
Or am I barking up the wrong tree ?
Cheers

[BigRig]

Will these be commercial or will you commission someone to make them for you ?

I think the liqueur types will be the best. Most of us can make our own bourbon, rum or whiskey.

And if you can get them in bigger batches instead of the little 30ml bottles.

[The Stig]

I was thinking the still spirits, edwards etc
Just stuff mainly for the begginers or air stillers or the guys buying Bokas

[iOnaBender]

I was thinking the still spirits, edwards etc
Just stuff mainly for the begginers or air stillers or the guys buying Bokas

I found the Hauraki 650 sour mash bourbon to be a good essence. Their rum is good too.

Maybe even some gin botanicals in 1 - 5ltr amounts for maceration?

Cheers

[Wellsy]

I think it is good idea mate, the easier we make it for people to get some instant results the more likely they are to put in the work to create their own.
Liqueur might be a good start as they are difficult to do from scratch

[The Stig]

Thanks Bender , that’s the info I’m looking for .
Maybe a mix of standard HBS stuff and some high end gear as well.
I’m constantly being asked for this sort of stuff and now I would like to fill that little hole

[The Stig]

I think it is good idea mate, the easier we make it for people to get some instant results the more likely they are to put in the work to create their own.

This is my thought process as well so thanks for validating :romance-kisscheek:

[Carol]

Good idea.
Fancy liqueurs might be popular for air still users.

f you can find a good gin essence that will also work with water to make a non-alcoholic gin (or non-alcoholic whisky etc) that may well be an emerging market.

Cheers
Carol

[Golly]

good gin essence that will also work with water to make a non-alcoholic gin

This is probably not specifically relevant to the shop - as it will be a lot of work to manufacture your own to sell, but more useful for everyone with a still already.

So there is a guy on YouTube called "Art of Drink", he makes incredibly interesting videos and recently discussed this very topic of non alcoholic gins. He argued, that most of them are crap, because the dissolved oils in PPM is like 10-12PPM, vs a normal gin, which is like 30-40PPM. My numbers are made up, watch the actual video if you want to know more. He comes up with a solution of taking a normal gin, and then doubling down on the dissolved oils by creating a gin extract - you then put this extract into a little spray bottle, and when you want a non-alcoholic G&T, you spray your glass with your extract and it will be considerably better, and cheaper, than the store bought variety. I recommend watching the video. I've made his hop oil and it is very potent stuff. When I get some gin made up, I will also be trying his non-alcoholic G&T essence.

https://youtu.be/zh4lm0GaTbM

[Carol]

Golly
lots of interesting stuff by "Art of Drink".
Definitely on my reading/watching list.

I found that my gin extract (followed Zymurgy Bob's recipe on this site) with water instead of spirit made a better sort of non-alcoholic gin than commercial essences - but it was not zero alcohol - about 5-6% ABV. So about 210ml for one standard drink - so a 30ml shot was 1/7th of a standard drink.

MY experiments with commercial essences in water were not very successful as the flavour dissipated quite quickly.

Cheers
Carol

[Carol]

I had a look at Art of Drink video. Very interesting. Oils are not soluble in water so very little gin taste. That explains why my 6% gin still retained flavour and the warer version was a dud!
I will have to look for a suitable spray bottle and try it- I have extracts already to go!
Including a clone of 40 spotted, rose, seaweed and mushroom (not all together)
Various infusions are waiting for attention as well (nasturtium, beetroot, green tea).
Must find the air still and get the infusions run.

Lots of other interesting things including how to make flavour syrups, essences and extracts. Hours of entertainment!
Thanks Golly!

Cheers
Carol

[BigRig]

I like and regularly buy the still spirits liqueur's which already have the glucose in them so you only have to put the spirit and not mess about with the the sugar. Look at "still spirits icon liqueurs"

[The Stig]

Thanks Ben
Looks like the suppliers are not willing to supply me , god knows why.
I’ll update as things progress.

[Wellsy]

It is because you are trusted mate and everyone knows you won’t stock shit. The suppliers want you to sell shit as well as good stuff.

Keep up the good work as we all appreciate it

Have a good weekend and have a couple of glasses and you will come up with a plan b :laughing-rolling:

[Carol]

? All the suppliers???
If so you will just have to be the good guy then!
Someone has to be ethical!

Carol xxoo

[lest1]

if you stoked the high end stuff thats hard to make id be keen

id love to make tequila and contreau (which is alot easier but still a pain)

id buy

[The Stig]

As I stated above, the 1 distributor that supplies the essences is refusing to sell to me due to the proximity of me to a few home brew shops.
So this idea is dead in the water

[Wellsy]

Maybe that distributor needs to understand the concept of an online shop

Maybe they have been using to much of their own product and it has messed them up

[The Stig]

Great News,
We have finally been able to do a deal with QLD's very own Edwards Essences https://www.edwardsessences.com.au
I have tried a few of the essences and find them to be very good compared to some of the others.
We will be stocking a few that I hope everybody will enjoy.
All Edwards Essences are made and bottled right here in QLD on the Sunshine Coast.
I have added these to the shop but we are still awaiting our first delivery.

[BigRig]

Awesome news. Will you do the premixes too ? (stuff with the sugar/glucose in it).