Yup, a 500 gallon hybrid still from the Vendome works in old Kentucky. What is a hybrid still, you may ask? Well, it's the best of both worlds, combining a single pot copper still with the optional ability for column distillation. The bottom line is that it will distill any liquor under the sun, from pot still rums and whiskeys to ye auld neutral grain spirits of vodka, gin and the like.
The other upshot is that my home state just cut in half the taxes on craft brewing, distilling and wine production. Remarkably, it takes far less capital to establish a distillery than it does a brewery or winery. Also, malt, corn and other fermentables are both cheap and readily available in the Midwest.
Find an old cedar barn, gut the interior and turn it into barrel warehouse for 2-10 year aging. Maybe do a couple of gins oak aged for 8-12 months. Any thoughts?
It might be time to set up a distillery
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It might be time to set up a distillery
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Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
How much? Cost wise.
What do you do when you find out after all these years of aging that you actually did something wrong?
Drink!
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Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
Good question. The way around that is not fucking up in the first place. Distilling isn't rocket science; but you have to pay close attention to what you're doing and care about quality control. Having a background in fermentation sciences doesn't hurt either.
How do you mean cost wise? The selling price of the liquor? Or the price to set up a distillery?
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Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
The latterBadfellow wrote: ↑Fri Feb 02, 2018 10:49 amGood question. The way around that is not fucking up in the first place. Distilling isn't rocket science; but you have to pay close attention to what you're doing and care about quality control. Having a background in fermentation sciences doesn't hurt either.
How do you mean cost wise? The selling price of the liquor? Or the price to set up a distillery?
Drink!
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Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
Said and done, under $100k, not including operating costs. The distillery would also be putting out unaged liquor immediately to generate revenue.
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Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
I'd be willIing to invest in this (money and/or labor) if the right talent is there. It's kind of a dream of mine.
Don't worry. We're in no hurry.
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Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
Me too. I can only imagine loving to go into work every day. Even just being around the booze has a positive effect on my ions, like a cordless psychic charger. Looking into possibly getting a loan next week. This weekend I'll get drunk and write the business plan.
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Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
Best customer: Yourself
We can`t sell this to the public but it`s still drinkable.
When I was a teenager my parents explicitly didn`t want me to become a brew-master. They heard horrendous stories about other`s children becoming alcoholics that way.
We can`t sell this to the public but it`s still drinkable.
When I was a teenager my parents explicitly didn`t want me to become a brew-master. They heard horrendous stories about other`s children becoming alcoholics that way.
Drink!
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Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
Yeah, and look what happened.
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Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
That worked out pretty well for them then didn't it?
Now you're ready for some anti-dry-otics!-BeerMakesMeSmarter
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
What approach to barrel aging will you take. The Beam style static approach and sort out the sweet spots in your warehouse or go with a Woodford style rotating barrel system, trying to weather them all as equally as possible?
Another question is will you be buying barrels? If so what type and how will you prep them?
Any plans for a cooperage as you expand?
Another question is will you be buying barrels? If so what type and how will you prep them?
Any plans for a cooperage as you expand?
Now you're ready for some anti-dry-otics!-BeerMakesMeSmarter
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
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Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
This is why there were no more little Oettz runnin' around
Okole maluna!
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Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
Most excellent questions.Patchez wrote: ↑Sat Feb 03, 2018 7:13 pmWhat approach to barrel aging will you take. The Beam style static approach and sort out the sweet spots in your warehouse or go with a Woodford style rotating barrel system, trying to weather them all as equally as possible?
Another question is will you be buying barrels? If so what type and how will you prep them?
Any plans for a cooperage as you expand?
Currently looking into warehousing/barrel rotation methods for both bourbon and rum, and I've been in touch with certain a guy who works for Trace who's been helpful. But I'm also interested in Solera method where the angel's share is replaced with product from the previous year. This latter is done with some of the best dark rums on the planet.
There are also a few experimental methods which probably shouldn't be discussed in an open forum. I'd be happy to kick around some concepts with you on skype or the Drunk Dial Network.
The barrels will be sourced out of Missouri. A small percentage will be uncharred/in the white with the remainer medium toast. Maybe a few heavy char for specialty aging, and a few more sherry and port barrels for shits & giggles.
Ideally, a person would eventually want to hire a dedicated cooper, one of the old timers out of Missouri or Kentucky, then maybe start importing certain exotic woods from South America.
Just some ideas.
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Re: It might be time to set up a distillery
I was hoping for some port and sherry finishes for these.
How does Buffalo Trace handle keeping track of the barrel rotation? Outside rows on either side moving inward till they meet then bounced to the outside row or a left to right movement till it's outside again?
How does Buffalo Trace handle keeping track of the barrel rotation? Outside rows on either side moving inward till they meet then bounced to the outside row or a left to right movement till it's outside again?
Now you're ready for some anti-dry-otics!-BeerMakesMeSmarter
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice
If worms had daggers, birds wouldn't fuck with them-Todd Snider
Blackout and be extraordinary-Absinthe of Malice