Embark on the journey of crafting your own potato-based vodka, unlocking the secrets of distillation with these easy-to-follow steps. From mashing potatoes to filtering your spirit, the process is simplified for you to create a smooth and flavourful vodka in the comfort of your home.
Equipment:
- Air Still Pro or T500 Distilling System
- 10 L Large Boiling Pot
- Large bowl
- 25 L Fermentation Vessel
- Thermometer
- Stirring Spoon
- Carbon Filter System (Filter Pro or Easy Filter System)
Ingredients:
- 20g Distiller’s Yeast Vodka
- 12g Distiller’s Enzyme Alpha-amylase
- 12g Distiller’s Enzyme Glucoamylase
- 80g (2.9 oz) Distiller’s Nutrient Light Spirits
- 10 kg potatoes
- 2.5 kg Sugar (or 2.75 kg Dextrose)
- Turbo Clear (recommended)
Mash:
1. Start by thoroughly cleaning and dicing 5kg (11 lbs) of potatoes, leaving the peel on. Boil them for 15 minutes or until just soft enough to mash. If needed, split the potatoes between two pots.
2. Once soft, drain the water and mash the potatoes in a bowl, adding water until a liquid consistency is achieved (but less than your final fermentation volume). Repeat for the second batch of 5kg of potatoes.
3. Combine both batches in a 10L pot, bring to a boil, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow it to cool to 80°C (176°F) or just below.
4. Add Distiller’s Enzyme – Alpha-amylase, cover, and let it stand for 60 minutes. Stir occasionally. Move to step 5 when the temperature is below 65°C (149°F).
5. Add Distiller’s Enzyme – Glucoamylase, stir, cover, and stand for another 60 minutes for starch saccharification.
6. Transfer the saccharified starch slurry to a sanitized fermentation vessel, strain to remove solids, add sugar, and top up with water to 20L (5.3 US Gal) at 20-32°C (68-90°F).
Ferment & Clear:
7. Shake Distiller’s Nutrient – Light Spirits well and measure out 80g (2.9 oz). Add it, along with Distiller’s Yeast – Vodka, to the fermentation vessel. Fit the lid and airlock.
8. Ferment at 20-32°C (68-90°F) until the airlock stops bubbling, and specific gravity stabilizes for two consecutive days.
9. Let the wash stand for 1-2 days for solids and yeast to settle. We recommend using Turbo Clear for better clarification.
Distill & Filter:
10. Transfer the completed wash to your still, maximizing yield and leaving heavy sediment behind. For top-quality spirit, use a reflux distilling system like the T500 Distilling System or Air Still Pro in reflux mode.
11. After distillation, consider filtering through a carbon filter for cleaner vodka. Options include the Filter Pro or Easy Filter system. Refer to your distillation unit's manual for detailed instructions.
Now, revel in the satisfaction of creating your very own, smooth, and polished homemade vodka! Cheers!
