Proof is High

JoeKitchen

Hello,
So I am new to distilling and doing my first run today.  I am distilling a 2:1 Chenin Blanc to Sauvignon Blanc blend that I fermented with QA23 that I plan on using to fortifiy a Tawny Port I am currently fermenting.  
In the distillation, I used a high gas flame to get my temp up, but then lowered the flame once I was within 10 degrees of the ethanol boiling point to a very low flame with a gradual increase in temp.  I am using a simple 4 gallon pot still, and the heat used runs distills over a 3 hour process.  The ABV coming off of the still is 45% to 65%.  This seems rather high given the first run.  
Am I doing something wrong?  I was expecting 35% max ABV on the first run.  
Given this, the middle cuts do taste very good.  
Thanks, Joe

Bushman

Doesn’t sound wrong to me.For New and Novice Distillers
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still_stirrin

Was that the “proof at the spout”?  
A potstill is like an “amplifier” in the sense that it will (potentially) multiply the %ABV of the wash.  So, for a 10%ABV wash, you could expect the low wines collection to average 30%ABV.  But, at the beginning of the run, the %ABV at the spout could be as high as 60% to 70%ABV.  However, the %ABV at the spout will fall continuously to the end of the run, finishing around 5% to 10%ABV.  The (average) collection from this type of run will be around 30%ABV.
Bear in mind that the %ABV of the wash will affect the proof at the spout as well as the low wines collection.  Higher wash %ABV will result in a higher average.  Conversely, a lower wash %ABV will be slightly lower in the collection vessel.
Finally, don’t think that you can control the %ABV of the distillate by controlling the boil temperature.  Physics dictates that the temperature will be at the saturation temperature of the mixture and the composition of the mixture changes continuously throughout the run.  So, the temperature will change (increase) continuously from start to finish.
By adjusting the flame on your burner, you’re adjusting the heat input, not the wash’s temperature.  Adjusting the heat input will adjust the rate the wash boils, with more heat causing a more vigorous boil and consequently a faster vapor production rate.  This is a fundamental understanding of distillation, so hopefully it makes sense.
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Metalking00

Also, not sure what type of setup you have, but if youre measuring the abv off the spout the temperature of what youre collecting will change the readings. You need to temperature correct to the temperature your alcometer is calibrated for. If your distillate is warm it will read as higher proof than it really is.

NZChris

To get 35% from the first run, you keep running until your total collection is 35%, (I take it down to less than 27%).  This product is called Low Wines. You can tape over the thermometer if it is confusing you.  Run by watching the output stream, then stopping when you have your desired Low Wines ABV.
Now put it all back in the still and do a spirit run, collecting in about twenty jars.  Select a heart cut from these jars.
Rather than basing cut decisions on tastings of individual jars, I recommend making up a tasting sample from your obvious hearts jars, (the least flavorsome ones), then adding to it from jars from either end until you identify which jars are one too far. Just because a jar tastes/smells a bit strong of something on it's own, doesn't mean that it's flavor isn't a valuable addition to the flavors in the final blend.