anyone have a recipe or 'formula' for making brandy. have 35 gallons of apple wine in the basement & understand that brandy is actually distilled wine. if so let me know, thanks.
- posted
13 years ago
anyone have a recipe or 'formula' for making brandy. have 35 gallons of apple wine in the basement & understand that brandy is actually distilled wine. if so let me know, thanks.
This would give you something akin to Calvados (apple brandy). You will need a still (either a pot still or a continuous still). With a pot still, you do 2 distillations, throwing away the first and last parts of the distillate (heads and tails).
With a continuous still, you should be able to distill just once.
Your IP address appears to place you in New Jersey. You should be aware that home distillation is illegal in every jurisdiction in the United States.
Sounds like the distillation police are on to you.
LOL -- home distillation is, as I understand it, legal in some countries. That's why I checked where he appeared to be posting from before telling him that it's illegal.
When the government acts illegally, why should we sweat it? Distill as much as you can, and sell it to your friends at a discount. Screw the Kleptocrats.
Options: Reflux still - not so good as you'll loose most of your flavour. These are the babies used for making clean spirit like vodka.
Pot still - probably the best bet. Will easily produce 40%ABV and will keep most of the flavour but the heat will modify the this to a certain extent. You will see pot stills in places that make whiskey etc
Freeze distill - as in water freezes and alcohol doesn't. Just scoop the ice crystals out as they form. You'll need a chest freezer to do this effectively.
Oh, and don't get caught as it's probably an illegal act where you are. ;-)
Cheers Mike (from NZ where it IS legal for your own consumption)
Hic, h'yep it's legal here in New Zealand for your own consumption. Mine is one of these Essencia babies which, on a good day, will peak at 94%ABV which is quite warming and highly combustable :-)
oops URL is
Thanks. I was just about to ask. For purposes of scientific research only, of course. Which model do you use?
DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.