"Deadend" wrote:

I have read a recent thread here on a freeze concentration method. You
can google to look for the thread. There was a link to a web page that
illustrated this method well. It used "tornado tubes" and two liter
bottles. Shown in the pictures, it seemed that the vast majority of
the stuff left behind in the freeze concentration method was ice, i.e.
water. So, I know someone will chime in and say "this is
distillation--illegal--blah, blah--this will concentrate the heads and
tails as well." Yes, this is technically true to some extent.

But I was curious about doing a hybrid method: part freeze
concentration, just to boost up the flavor profile a bit, and part
standard sweetening and fortifying (also illegal, I may add, but what
the hell, most of the fun things in life are...). I was wondering
about the merits of brandy, grain alcohol, or even a high quality
grappa. I'm not sure, as the brandy or grappa has that snob appeal,
but then again, the grain is the highest proof, and would yield the
alcohol content desired but with the least dilution.

So what do you all think about the hybrid method idea? I have not
tried any method yet. But I am damn curious, I'll tell you what.

Regards,

Any type of distillation is highly illegal in the U.S. If you get caught,
BBB (Benevolent Big Brother) can legally confiscate not only your still, and
your whiskey, but ALL the real property and chattels on the property where
the still is found! This ludicrous prohibition era law which is still on
the books, and actively enforced, can and has been applied to freeze
distillation. Rule of thumb: find some public property at least 10 miles
from yours, to run that still. And set a bangalor mine field around the
perimeter (also illegal, but what pretty fireworks).