In case you're unable to get your hands on our Turbo yeasts right now, we thought we'd put together this Distiller's Sugar Wash recipe using an alternative to the Turbo range of yeasts - our Distiller's range.
This range is generally used to create craft whiskey, rum, gin or vodka. This time however, we're looking to create a nice, clean neutral spirit for adding flavourings to. In this case, the Distiller's Vodka or Gin yeast combined with the Distiller's Light Spirit Nutrient work as a perfect substitute!
Note: The recipe below is intended for producing a sugar wash, which is required to distill a "Neutral Spirit" which can then be used with our range of flavourings. Fermentation time will also be a little longer compared to Turbo yeasts.
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Makes: 25 L wash – approx. 14.4% ABV once fermented.
Ingredients:
- 150 G Still Spirits Distiller’s Nutrient Light Spirits
- 1 x Sachet Still Spirits Distiller’s Yeast Vodka 20g (can also use Still Spirits Distiller’s Yeast Gin 20g)
- 6 KG Sugar (13 lb) (or 6.6 KG Dextrose (14.5 lb))
Directions:
- Add 21 L (5.5 US Gal) of water at approximately 30°C (86°F) to your cleaned and sanitised fermenter.
- Add 6 KG (13 lb) sucrose or 6.6 KG dextrose and stir to dissolve. You will now have approximately 25 L (6.6 US Gal) of sugar solution ready for fermentation.
- Take your Distiller’s Nutrient and shake it well. For up to 15% ABV, measure out 150 G (5.3 oz) or see the instructions on the label of the Distiller’s Nutrient – See the Light Spirits page in the Distiller’s Range booklet for further measuring unit options.
- Take your Distiller’s Yeast and at the same time, take the measured out Distiller’s Nutrient- add them both directly to the fermentation vessel and stir well to dissolve. Now fit your lid and airlock (half filled with previously boiled water).
- Leave to ferment at 20-32°C (68-90°F) for optimum performance and quality. If you wish (optional) you can also add Still Spirits Turbo Carbon to absorb impurities produced by the yeast during fermentation, improving the quality of your alcohol.
- Once your airlocks stops bubbling, this indicates that fermentation is complete. This should happen within approximately 7 days (providing the temperature has been 20°C (68°F) or above throughout). If you taste the wash at this stage, it should taste dry and not at all sweet, or if using a hydrometer the gravity reading should have stabilised and stayed the same for 2 consecutive days.
- You should now leave your wash to stand for 1-2 days for any remaining solids and yeast to "settle out". Still Spirits Turbo Clear can be used here to speed up the clarification process.
- You are now ready to distil your wash to make your spirit. The wash should be siphoned into your still, leaving behind the sediment. For best quality spirits we recommend using a column still such as the Turbo 500 with Condenser Column for your first distillation. Please refer to the instruction manual of your distillation unit for detailed instructions on distilling your spirit.
- After your first distillation (or double distillation if using the Alembic Dome Pot Still), you may wish to filter your spirit through a carbon filter to polish the spirit for cleaner, smoother flavour. For this purpose we recommend the Still Spirits EZ filter.
