Home Distillation of Alcohol (Homemade Alcohol to Drink)
Books
Some books are sold on Distilling.
John Stone has just put out a new book "The Carriage Still"
Hard copy US$18 or soft copy US$8.
Details off the web site (http://www.gin-vodka.com) are ...
This book describes the construction of an elegant top-of-the-line
fractionating still for amateurs. It was created by a research scientist
who has been designing and constructing stills for over 17 years, and
should be read by any hobbyist who likes to have the very best.
As will be seen from the book cover, the still is mounted in a cabinet
which holds the boiler. The top of this cabinet supports the glass column,
the collection bottle, the digital thermometer and the distiller's
notebook.
The distillation column is made from 38 mm glass tubing so that the
operator and his friends have the pleasure of seeing the distillation in
progress. No glass-blowing is involved however --- just the machining of
brass couplings. There are 14 diagrams and photographs, many in colour.
The still can deliver 11 to 12 litres of ultra pure vodka per batch, using
ordinary cane sugar as substrate. Spirits such as whiskey, brandy, rum,
gin, schnapps and liqueurs can also be made using the appropriate starting
material
The book is very easily read, with heaps of clear explanations and
diagrams. The still design is that of his "top of the line" model - a
further development of the inline one in the Gin-Vodka book.
Jacks review of "Making pure corn whiskey
- a professional guide for amateur and
micro distillers" from
http://www.magma.ca/~smiley/main.htm ...
The book gives full plans and details for building a Nixon/Stone type of
column still, and then goes into great detail in describing how to use it to
make pure corn whiskey. Very detailed construction steps (including finished
photos of the still- removing all doubt as to whether or not it's really been
done) make the construction of the still simple, and the recipe and
instructions for making corn mash (with the grain, be it flaked, whole grain,
or flour or meal) and distilling it into a VERY palatable product- including
solid info on "making the cut" (essential to making good whiskey).
For all of those who have, or want to build a still capable of making 95%
alcohol this is the book to buy. For those who already have a still capable
of turning out 95%- the book will still be very usefull for those interested
in making a good whiskey ( I have seen the instructions on "making the cut"
in this book used to make some very fine rum as well). For those interested
in making something other than essence based booze or just plain gin and
vodka, and are tired of drinking potstill whiskey that gives you an upset
stomach after only one glass- this is your book. I purchased mine online at
http://www.magma.ca/~smiley/main.htm for $28.50 (Canadian). Delivery was
prompt and the book gives the beginer the skill of a master whiskey distiller
by just reading it- HIGHLY reccomended.
I would likewise put "Making Pure Corn Whisky" up at the top of the list to buy. Ian has a great
knowledge and understanding of the distilling process, and has explained it very
clearly and in a straightforward style. Instructions for building the still are
well explained, with many photos to help. He has only suggested a heat input of 750W with
the particular design, however I reckon it could easily handle 1500W (and hence half the distilling time)
if the column were increased up to a 2" diameter.
The method of preparing corn mash is also well covered. The best bit though is a well laid out method for determining how
to make the various "cuts" between the foreshots, heads, middle run, and tails,
with tables and examples to help guide you. He clearly explains how by changing
when you make these cuts, you are able to alter the taste/profile of the whisky too.
(Feb 01) "Moonshine made simple and still makers manual", by Byron Ford,
published by Fermetech Wholesalers (Nov 2000) - 19 Petone St, Wellington, NZ,
ISBN 0-473-07404-4, for approx NZ$15.
If you want to buy a copy, I'm sure Pete : brubarn@xtra.co.nz would oblige.
It covers discussion on making essential oils, fermentation & distillation,
still making, purification & flavouring, and gasohol for the car.
There are several recipes for "HokiNooki" moonshine.
Its written around New Zealand & Australian distilling.
Its an OK introductory book, but nothing flash, and some bits are dodgy/misinforming
The new version (Feb '00) of The Distillation of Alcohol
- A Professional Guide to Amateur Distillers by John Stone and
Michael Nixon is EXCELLENT. Available from their web site
(Making Gin & Vodka) either
electronically for US$8 or printed for US$18. ISBN 0473-06608-4.
Detailed still design (reflux and essential oil designs) and
operating instructions, as well as a heap of the "why's" and "how's"
answered.
Don's review of ...
Practical Distiller by Leonard Monzert, circa 1889 reprinted by Lindsay
Publications, Inc. US$8.95 The Author Leonard Monzert was a professional distiller and rectifier.
This is a valuable reference book for any small distiller or anyone
interested in a view from
the American pre-prohibition era. Monzert's book is simply and concisely
written to
include the basic construction and operation of both pot and column stills.
The 1889 writing of this book is an important aspect of this publication as
well.
In distillation history the coffey continuous column patent still had just
come into use.
It's greater capacity and economy dominated the traditional pot still for the
first time in industrial production. This new still give's birth to
the first blended whiskey. The excitement towards modern distillation is
palpable in this treastie from the golden age of industrialism.
Monzert's work contains many traditional formulas, including
several that are for various reasons, no longer in production.
One is "Red Ratafia" liqueur a cordial made of red cherries, black
cherries, raspberries, strawberries, brown sugar, neutral spirits, cinnamon,
mace and cloves. Another is "Absinthe Suisse" made with long wormwood,
short wormwood, green anise, long fennel, star anise, corriander, hyssop
and neutral spirits. Instructions included for essences and botanical extraction are as valuable
today, as when they were first written.
Also of interest is a diagram of the poteen still used by the "Irish
peasantry".
The greatest value of this book is that it gives a complete manual overview
of alcohol production. This enables any small producer to perform tasks by
hand until more proper equipment can be afforded.
Distillation of Alcohol & De-Naturing by F.B. Wright, circa 1918 reprinted
by Lindsay Publications, Inc. US$14.95
This is the first alcohol reference book written after
"The Free Alcohol Act of 1906" which for the first time allowed
tax free production of de-natured alcohol for fuel and industrial use.
This change in governmental regulation, allowed the large agricultural
sector of the economy to become self-reliant by making it's own fuel.
All internal combustion engines of this era ran on alcohol.
This technology was crucial to a segmented nation without a
national highway system.
There is a great inclusion of governmental regulations
of the era and it is contrasted to contemporary farm alcohol production
programs of Germany & France.
Large beverage alcohol chapters are filled with a great variety of
still pictures and technical drawings. Many of the still drawings are
given as teaching examples and become superceded by more
contemporary designs. For example: "Gillaume's inclined column still"
was used for molasses distillation and is more forgiving of solids and
boil overs than vertical designs.
Many entire factory layouts are included in addition to mere still designs.
Raw adjunct ingredient processing of potatoes and beets are
shown in detail, along with the standard grain and fruit juice.
This work is a pre-prohibition "how to book" to build your own still or
distillery, it is much more than a simple formula book. It no doubt,
helped many family farms gain additional use from scarce resources.
Manufacture Of Whiskey Brandy & Cordials by Irving Hirsch,
circa 1937 reprinted by Lindsay Publications, Inc. $9.95
The author Irving Hirsch, LL.B. LL.M. was a Chemical Engineer
and Technical Consultant.
This book contains a great deal of information in all aspects
of alcohol production in great detail. There are
many formulas for spirits, herbal extracts and cordials.
The formula chapters include: Rye whiskey, Apple Jack, Pear Brandy,
Slivowitz, Fruit Brandy,Rum, Gin, Aneseed, Benedictine,
Blackberry Brandy, Coffee Liquor, Kimmel, Lindburg Bitters,
Maraschino Liquor, Orange Liquor, Peppermint Liquor, Rum Liquor,
Raspberry Liquor, Stomach Bitters, Vermouth, Walnut Liquor,
Absinthe Cordial, Apricot Cordial, Chartreuse, Creme de Cherry,
Creme de Cocoa.
True to his era, the author believes that single malt whiskey
is too strongly flavored to drink straight and should be
"improved" by being blended with column distilled spirits.
He also intimated that, the time is close at hand when chemical
science will make the aging of non-neutral distilled spirits unnessary.
However, he redeems himself many times over, with a plethora of
flavor corrective and maturation accelerating techniques.
Several of Hirsch's inventions are noted in industrial microbiology
texts through the late 1950's.
This book has a great deal of practical information found nowhere
else. It leaves the reader wondering when and why we stopped
trying brave new beverage distillation techniques.
All three of these book are available in paperback for US$33.85
per set + S/H at
Outterson, LLC 7747 Woodstone Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45244
Tel 513-474-3521 Fax 513-474-9384
Web fermentationbiz.com
e-mail beerwine@eos.net
or technical bookstores
The Home distillation handbook. I've just bought this myself (download a
pdf file from the site, then pay US$5 for the password). ISBN 91-970694-5-0.
Its OK - not great, and is very heavy on promoting their range of flavouring & yeasts. I don't
believe it has enough detail, however it does give good instructions on how
to build the "Labmaster" reflux still (see my photos page).
Spirits Unlimited
by Peter J. Wheeler & R. Malcolm Willmott, for NZ$20 (approx US$10). ISBN 0473-03752-1.
The special anniversary edition (Jan 2000) now covers equipment, fermentation,
distillation, treating & flavouring the spirit, making whisky, essential oils, and
still design. Particularly good is the trouble shooting guide. This book was the
first one I got, and still find it an excellent resource. Order it from their web page, or
write to PO Box 111, Waimauku, Auckland 1250, New Zealand.
The Lore of Still Building by Kathleen Howard & Norman Gibat.
Gives a good range of cheap and easy stills that can be made from
pressure cookers and other kitchen items. Also has a fair amount
on using ethanol as a fuel. No ISBN number, try 741 North Countryline St,
Fostoria, Ohio 44830-1004, ph (419) 435-0404 fax (419) 435-1844
Bob Lennon's Stillmaker site
can be downloaded as a PDF file, like a book (and its FREE !).
Informative & very good, with explicit instructions on how to build a reflux
still (see my photos page). Heaps of details, illustrations, & explanations.
Its recently been updated & expanded to include a valved condensor design, using a
beer keg as the boiler.
Secrets of Building an Alcohol Producing Still, US$13.
Haven't seen it myself, so no comment
Bob Sebert's MoonWater Distillation, US$15.
Comments from "UPS747" : I have just recieved Bob Sebert's
book: Moonwater Distillation:
The design uses a stainless steel boiler made out of cooking pots and the
tower is composed of ABS plastic pipe! packed with gravel.
More than half of the book seems comprised of his life story and his
"finding" of God.
The only information on using the still is about one-quarter of a page long
and not very detailed. If the still were redesigned to use copper or
stainless steel it would probably work well, but I'm certain ABS piping would
poison someone. As it is the still looks too touchy in it's design (you forget
one little thing and it's ruined)
The final page of the book is an adverisement for the still and column
premade by Mr.Sebert. Save your money and don't buy the book.
Two German books reviewed by Christian :
Josef Pischl: Schnapsbrennen, Leopold Stocker Verlag, Graz - Stuttgart,
ISBN 3-7020-0739-3 (ca. 30DM)
Das ist ein sehr ausführliches Buch zum Thema Schnaps brennen. Es
behandelt die Maischebereitung, die Destillation und die Nachbehandlung
und wendet sich mehr an kommerzielle Produzenten.
Josef Pischl: Schnapsbrennen, Leopold Stocker Verlag, Graz - Stuttgart,
ISBN 3-7020-0739-3 (approximately 30DM)
This is a very detailed book about distilling alcohol. It
treats the mash-preparation, the distillation and the subsequent
treatment and contacts to more commercial producers.
Helfried Schmickl, Friederun Pleterski: Handbuch für Schnapsbrenner,
Eichborn, Frankfurt am Main, 1999, ISBN 3-8218-1520-5 (ca. 25DM)
Dieses Buch wendet sich an den interessierten Laien und liefert einige
Bauvorschläge für Destillen aus haushaltsüblichen Geräten. Ausserdem
befasst es sich noch mit der Likör- und Kräuterschnapsherstellung. Das
Thema Methanol wird nicht ganz korrekt abgehandelt, hält man sich jedoch
an die sonst korrekten Vorgaben des Buches, dürfte keine Gefahr
bestehen.
Helfried Schmickl, Friederun Pleterski,: Handbuch für Schnapsbrenner,
Eichborn, Frankfurt am Main, 1999, ISBN 3-8218-1520-5 (approximately
25DM)
This book turns to the interested layman and supplies some building suggestions
for distilling from household-usual devices.
Furthermore, it deals with the manufacture of
liqueur and herbal liqueur. The topic of methanol is not dealt quite
correctly, but if you keep to the otherwise correct specifications of the book
however, no danger should exist.
Peter writes ...
A lot of knowledge of profesional and home-still-equipment is develloped
and fabricated in germany, in the neaberhood of Stuttgart. Last summer I
visited a few still-equipment-factorys. Plenty of literature is written
in Germany.
A very good book with 400 pages, 111 figures and 65 tabels, is:
"Technologie der Obstbrennerei", Von Hans Joachim Pieper, Verlag Eugen
Ulmer, Stuttgart, ISBN 3-8001-5814-0.
Other books include
Build your own Moonshine distillery
Moonshine Bible
Secrets of Building an Alcohol Producing Still.
Alcohol as an auto fuel
Also try your public library (remember the place ?). It may surprise you.
Technical Books
Technical books that I've found useful for Still design ...
- Chemical Engineering - vol 6 (Design) by JM Coulson, JF Richardson & RK Sinnot.
Pergamon Press. ISBN 008-022969-7 (hardcover) or 008-022970-0 (flexicover)
- Perrys Handbook for Chemical Engineers
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