It gets better

Steve-Broady

I just wanted to share a little inspiration for anyone who might, like me, find themselves struggling to make something they’re proud of. I’ve struggled to master (or even apprentice!) mashing grains. I’ve struggled to make good cuts. I’ve struggled to understand so much of what I’ve read here.
I can tell you from personal experience that it does in fact get easier. I recently spent about 10 hours doing a very slow spirit run on a bourbon sugarhead. I wasn’t expecting anything special from it, I just needed to get it done to free up some space. But as always, it was another opportunity to practice. A friend of mine tried it yesterday, and was VERY impressed. She’s partial to Woodford Reserve, and the original grain bill was chosen to at least resemble that. Her comment was that it smells and tastes just like it. Mind you, the spirit she was tasting was less than 24 hours old, and completely unoaked, and made from sugar. And yet, it’s delicious. It’ll go on oak and make a fine addition to the liquor cabinet. And more importantly, it gives me hope for the actual bourbon, which I have yet to distill.
So just remember, when you’re struggling, feeing like the old guard around here are beating you up or being too harsh, or just thinking you’ll never get this figured out, it does get better. And brother, it starts to get fun!Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

Deplorable

Keep at it, it does get better.
Once you master AG mashing, fermenting, and cuts, processed sugar washes fall by the wayside. The only time processed sugar enters my "distillery" is on the way from the car to the kitchen. All grain, all the time here. I have enough feints from all the whiskey runs to make a reflux run once or twice a year and keep the bar stocked.
Im not a rum drinker, but I'd sure like to find a line on bulk affordable blackstrap molly to give that a go and see if I can make something that would change my mind about rum.Use all your senses, and its not that hard. You just have to pay attention.
Procrastinate, you'll make better whiskey.

BrewinBrian44

Sugar head is definitely a great way to get some easy booze in the house. They can taste pretty dang good too.
I agree with Deplorable about AG. Once you start doing it a lot, you’ll save a lot of feints. Well diluted and ran through a neutral column, they make fantastic neutral spirit, superior to sugar. I usually use my tails feints in subsequent runs of wash, but I keep all the heads in a glass carboy. You’d be amazed how much usable ethanol is in there! I just did a run a few days ago with 1 gallon of high ABV HBB heads and some extra HBB low wines. When diluted to 80 proof drinking strength, I got almost 4 gallons! Much more than I’ll ever consume before I save up enough feints for another neutral run.

Deplorable

Yep I give away a lot of vodka. Waaay more than I do brown spirits.Use all your senses, and its not that hard. You just have to pay attention.
Procrastinate, you'll make better whiskey.

Twisted-Brick

Hit up Nerdy for info on his next bulk panela purchase.  He's in your general neck of the woods.“Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore, always carry a small snake.”
- W.C. Fields
My EZ Solder Shotgun
My Steam Rig and Manometer

Deplorable

Hit up Nerdy for info on his next bulk panela purchase.  He's in your general neck of the woods.I think I missed the last big buy they tried to arrange. The lowest price I've seen on Panela is $2.50 a pound.Use all your senses, and its not that hard. You just have to pay attention.
Procrastinate, you'll make better whiskey.

Steve-Broady

I’ve seen and bought it on Amazon for around $2/lb.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

Steve-Broady

I find that they’re a good thing to practice on, as well. I get the same general flavor as the whiskey I’m making, but at this point I still need all the practice I can get, and it is less daunting to practice on something cheap.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

Twisted-Brick

Best price I've seen last couple weeks.
Amazon Panela“Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite, and furthermore, always carry a small snake.”
- W.C. Fields
My EZ Solder Shotgun
My Steam Rig and Manometer

Steve-Broady

Goya Foods Panela Brown Sugar Cane, 16 Ounce (Pack of 24)  https://a.co/d/dE2bVFKSteve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.

Steve-Broady

Not to quell the conversation about sources of panela..
I really wanted this to be a little bit of support and inspiration for the folks who might find themselves struggling as they start out. I know I did. I figure there will be a few folks who got a still of some sort for Christmas, and joined here only to be discouraged by either the challenges they’re facing in making their favorite spirit, or just the reaction they get when asking questions here. Folks here don’t mince words and don’t like being asked the same questions a hundred times, and rightfully so. Some will get their feelings hurt and leave, some will be afraid to ask questions, and some will take the lessons to heart and at least try to do that own research. But I’m guessing they’ll all struggle at least a little.
If that’s you, just know that there’s a bit of a learning curve, and it’s not as easy and they make it look on TV or YouTube. But it is entirely doable with just a little practice, patience, common sense, and respect. Keep at it, don’t give up, and you will be making something you’re proud of before long.
And I say that as a newbie myself. I cannot wait to see where this journey leads.Steve, you’re way behind time. This is not 38, but it’s old 97. You must put her into Spencer on time.