Once the mash has fermented, it is typically distilled to increase the alcohol content and remove impurities. The distillation process can take several hours, depending on the size and type of equipment being used.
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To make moonshine mash, boil water in a 20 gallon pot. Add cornmeal and boil for 5-7 minutes. Then, reduce the heat and add sugar and yeast. Stir the mixture for 5-10 minutes, until it becomes soupy, and remove it from the heat. If you want to add more flavor, mash dried fruit in water until it becomes more of a juice and add it to the mash. Place the mash in a cool, dark place to ferment for 4-5 days. To learn how to distill and filter the mash, keep reading!
This unique style of making whiskey is a delicate blend of the distilling process. Knowing where to make cuts, when to collect and when to stop, is what starts to make a good whiskey. Focusing on details is what makes a great whiskey. Collecting the sweetest part of what comes off the still gives a very smooth and full flavored whiskey. This is the only way, the one way, I will ever distill, and thus the name of Irons ONE.
After mixing corn, rye and malted barley, and pitching the yeast into the mash, I give the whiskey mash about a week to ferment, or when there is a slow down in the bubbling going on in the fermentation vessel. This is the sign that fermentation has mostly stopped, and has converted all sugar to alcohol. I then separate the grain from the distillers beer by pouring the grain and liquid through a sieve which allows the liquid to flow into a drum. The dry grain is picked up at the distillery by a local farmer who gives his livestock a nice treat.
The hearts flow for the longest part of the distilling process. At the end of the hearts, the temperature of the still begins to creep up, and the temperature difference between the wash and the top of the still head narrows. This is an indication that my whiskey is entering the “tails” phase. This is when I stop collecting my spirit.
Once the alcohol starts to flow out of the still, I collect a small percentage of the distillate, called the heads. The heads are extremely high in alcohol percentage, but have little flavor. I taste the product, and once the alcohol starts taking on a sweet taste and corn aroma, this is collected separately as the “hearts.” The hearts are the part of the distillate that I will keep and age in charred oak barrels.
Once the still is filled with wash, I ignite the burner to directly heat the still. By keeping the heat on high to allow the temperature of the wash to increase quickly, in a controlled manner, the wash temperature gets close to the boiling temperature of ethanol. I turn down the heat so I can distill “low and slow” (at low temperature and slow distillation) to allow cleaner cuts to the whiskey.
How to Make Moonshine Mash From Cracked Corn
FAQ
How do you know when your mash is done for distilling?
How long does a distilling run take?
How long does the distillation process take?
How long does moonshine mash take to ferment?
Put the mash in a basement, cellar, or in the back of a closet so it can ferment. The temperature of 60 °F (16 °C) or lower is ideal. You can also pour the mash in an empty cooler and put the lid on it so it can ferment. Allow it to ferment for 4-5 days. Moonshine mash made with Turbo yeast will ferment within 4-5 days.
How do you make moonshine mash?
Start by mixing the cornmeal, sugar, water, and yeast together. Then, ferment the mash so it becomes alcoholic and distill it so it tastes great as a drink. You can then sip moonshine mash on its own or add it to cocktails or other drinks for a little kick. Boil 10 gallons (38 l) of water in a 20 gallons (76 l) stainless steel pot.
How long does a whiskey mash take to cool?
Alright folks, so we’re back for the final step of our whiskey mash here. We’ve let it cool for about 2 hours now, outside in the freezing cold, and as you can see, it’s almost exactly 150 degrees. So we’ll take this thermometer out, and add our alpha amylase, and last but not least, our malted barley.
How do you calculate a mash?
Calculate the total water volume: Multiply the water to grain ratio by the total weight of the grains to obtain the total water volume needed for the mash. Determine the yeast quantity: Refer to the yeast manufacturer’s recommendations for the ideal yeast quantity based on the size of the batch and the desired alcohol content.