Distilling brandy
 

Years ago, I remember seeing in an IWA catalog a small Brandy distiller for
home use. It made about a glass full. I have looked around lately but I
have never been able to find it anywhere. Now there is a chance I am slowly
losing it, and this never happened.
Anyone have any insight on something like this?

Distilling brandy
 

The men in black suits will be knocking on your door shortly.

Joel R Anderson wrote:
> Years ago, I remember seeing in an IWA catalog a small Brandy distiller for
> home use. It made about a glass full. I have looked around lately but I
> have never been able to find it anywhere. Now there is a chance I am slowly
> losing it, and this never happened.
> Anyone have any insight on something like this?

Distilling brandy
 

Franco > wrote:
> Joel R Anderson wrote:

>> Years ago, I remember seeing in an IWA catalog a small Brandy
>> distiller for home use. It made about a glass full. I have
>> looked around lately but I have never been able to find it
>> anywhere. Now there is a chance I am slowly losing it, and
>> this never happened.
>>
>> Anyone have any insight on something like this?

I've seen it too. It was all glass with a small burner. A
chemist told me they are very prone to explosion indoors.

> The men in black suits will be knocking on your door shortly.

And they come packed!

Dick

Distilling brandy
 

> Years ago, I remember seeing in an IWA catalog a small Brandy distiller for
> home use. It made about a glass full. I have looked around lately but I
> have never been able to find it anywhere. Now there is a chance I am slowly
> losing it, and this never happened.

A small still is available at any scientific supply store, it's just a
boiling flask and condenser. That said, if you are in the US
distilling alcohol for consumption is illegal. Any property in the
vicinity of the still can be confiscated because it is part of the
crime; like the house it's in, the car in the garage, etc.

When you distill the first part of the distillate and last parts are
poison, another very good reason to consider this carefully.

Store bought brandy is cheap in comparison :)

Joe

Distilling brandy
 

Franco wrote:
> The men in black suits will be knocking on your door shortly.
>
> Joel R Anderson wrote:
>
>>Years ago, I remember seeing in an IWA catalog a small Brandy distiller for
>>home use. It made about a glass full. I have looked around lately but I
>>have never been able to find it anywhere. Now there is a chance I am slowly
>>losing it, and this never happened.
>>Anyone have any insight on something like this?
>
>

The "Wine Enthusiast" ( wineenthusiast.com) sells all kinds of wine
storage, serving stuff and many things wine related and surprisingly
also sell a mini still for "Turning Wine into Brandy". It sells for
$199. I don't know how they get past the laws but there it is if anyone
is brave or foolish enough to buy one.

Distilling brandy
 

"Paul E. Lehmann" > wrote in message
...
> Franco wrote:
>> The men in black suits will be knocking on your door shortly.
>>
>> Joel R Anderson wrote:
>>
>>>Years ago, I remember seeing in an IWA catalog a small Brandy distiller
>>>for
>>>home use. It made about a glass full. I have looked around lately but I
>>>have never been able to find it anywhere. Now there is a chance I am
>>>slowly
>>>losing it, and this never happened.
>>>Anyone have any insight on something like this?
>>
>>
>
> The "Wine Enthusiast" ( wineenthusiast.com) sells all kinds of wine
> storage, serving stuff and many things wine related and surprisingly also
> sell a mini still for "Turning Wine into Brandy". It sells for $199. I
> don't know how they get past the laws but there it is if anyone is brave
> or foolish enough to buy one.

That is surprising. I have seen sevral small stills but they are all sold
for distilling water and warn you that it is illegal to distill alcohol. Oh
well, be carefull.

Ray

Distilling brandy
 

A few years ago I was visiting my home country (Argentina) and a friend
gave me some home-made orange liquor to taste. It was pretty good. So I
asked him for the recipe, and it was really simple: ethanol, orange
peel, and sugar. By the way, in Argentina if you go to the pharmacy and
you buy alcohol (for scratches, etc) you are getting pure ethanol with
nothing added to it, and it's cheap just like isopropyl is cheap here.
So I come back to the USA with the recipe, and I start looking for
ethanol, and I can't find it anywhere. Of course the first place I
tried was the pharmacy, but you know how it is: you walk up to the
"pharmacist" and ask him/her a question (such as "where can I buy pure,
un-poisoned ethanol?") and you get the "deer in the headlights" stare.
Anyway, after some research I eventually realized that Uncle Sam
doesn't want you to be making your own spirits because Uncle Sam wants
to collect alcohol taxes.

Bottom line: rig a distiller at home and get caught -> go to jail.

P.S. it's sad to see that what used to be a profesion (pharmacy) has
been dumbed down to filling prescriptions (counting pills and little
else).

Distilling brandy
 

The men in black suits will be knocking on my door shortly.

Distilling brandy
 

> So I come back to the USA with the recipe, and I start looking for
> ethanol, and I can't find it anywhere. ...

You could probably use Pure Grain Alcohol (PGA) like "Everclear" which
is 95%. It is sold in liquor stores in most states (but it's not legal
in every state).

Derric

Distilling brandy
 

OK...
Maybe this was not a good idea. I thought you could distill a small amount,
for personal use, but maybe I am wrong.
My old grandpa used to make brandy back in the twenties and thirties for his
own use. He used to tell me tales of it, and how it was better then the
stuff he could get at the time. Of course, he probably could only get
bathtub rotgut brandy back then.



"Joel R Anderson" > wrote in message
...
> Years ago, I remember seeing in an IWA catalog a small Brandy distiller
> for home use. It made about a glass full. I have looked around lately
> but I have never been able to find it anywhere. Now there is a chance I
> am slowly losing it, and this never happened.
> Anyone have any insight on something like this?
>

Distilling brandy
 

>>> Years ago, I remember seeing in an IWA catalog a small Brandy distiller for
>>> home use. It made about a glass full. I have looked around lately but I
>>> have never been able to find it anywhere. Now there is a chance I am slowly
>>> losing it, and this never happened.
>>> Anyone have any insight on something like this?

> The "Wine Enthusiast" ( wineenthusiast.com) sells all kinds of wine
> storage, serving stuff and many things wine related and surprisingly
> also sell a mini still for "Turning Wine into Brandy". It sells for
> $199. I don't know how they get past the laws but there it is if anyone
> is brave or foolish enough to buy one.

I presume "Wine Enthusiast: obeys the law and submits the names and
addresses of purchasers to th ATF just like Sears does on their water
stills.

Dick

Distilling brandy
 

Dick Adams wrote:

>>>> Years ago, I remember seeing in an IWA
>>>> catalog a small Brandy distiller for
>>>> home use. It made about a glass full. I
>>>> have looked around lately but I
>>>> have never been able to find it anywhere.
>>>> Now there is a chance I am slowly losing it,
>>>> and this never happened. Anyone have any
>>>> insight on something like this?
>
>> The "Wine Enthusiast" ( wineenthusiast.com)
>> sells all kinds of wine storage, serving stuff
>> and many things wine related and surprisingly
>> also sell a mini still for "Turning Wine into
>> Brandy". It sells for
>> $199. I don't know how they get past the laws
>> but there it is if anyone is brave or foolish
>> enough to buy one.
>
> I presume "Wine Enthusiast: obeys the law and
> submits the names and addresses of purchasers to
> th ATF just like Sears does on their water
> stills.
>
> Dick

Don't know. I did not buy one nor intend to do
so. It looks like a PITA way to get an ounce of
brandy. I drink hard liquor so seldom that I opt
to just buy it.

Distilling brandy
 

AND they make so much money just counting pills and trying not to see
any one at the "drop off" window. amazing, ugh? haha.

DAve



Franco wrote:
> A few years ago I was visiting my home country (Argentina) and a friend
> gave me some home-made orange liquor to taste. It was pretty good. So I
> asked him for the recipe, and it was really simple: ethanol, orange
> peel, and sugar. By the way, in Argentina if you go to the pharmacy and
> you buy alcohol (for scratches, etc) you are getting pure ethanol with
> nothing added to it, and it's cheap just like isopropyl is cheap here.
> So I come back to the USA with the recipe, and I start looking for
> ethanol, and I can't find it anywhere. Of course the first place I
> tried was the pharmacy, but you know how it is: you walk up to the
> "pharmacist" and ask him/her a question (such as "where can I buy pure,
> un-poisoned ethanol?") and you get the "deer in the headlights" stare.
> Anyway, after some research I eventually realized that Uncle Sam
> doesn't want you to be making your own spirits because Uncle Sam wants
> to collect alcohol taxes.
>
> Bottom line: rig a distiller at home and get caught -> go to jail.
>
> P.S. it's sad to see that what used to be a profesion (pharmacy) has
> been dumbed down to filling prescriptions (counting pills and little
> else).
>

Distilling brandy
 

No you cannot make it for your own use. They will go after you for one oz
just like someone who makes 500 gallons. They truely have zero tolerence.
It is even illegal to freeze distill, i.e. freeze wine and dip the ice
christals off as they form. There is no way to legally concentrate alcohol.

Ray

"Joel R Anderson" > wrote in message
...
> OK...
> Maybe this was not a good idea. I thought you could distill a small
> amount, for personal use, but maybe I am wrong.
> My old grandpa used to make brandy back in the twenties and thirties for
> his own use. He used to tell me tales of it, and how it was better then
> the stuff he could get at the time. Of course, he probably could only get
> bathtub rotgut brandy back then.
>
>
>
> "Joel R Anderson" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Years ago, I remember seeing in an IWA catalog a small Brandy distiller
>> for home use. It made about a glass full. I have looked around lately
>> but I have never been able to find it anywhere. Now there is a chance I
>> am slowly losing it, and this never happened.
>> Anyone have any insight on something like this?
>>
>
>

Distilling brandy
 

> OK...
> Maybe this was not a good idea. I thought you could distill a small amount,
> for personal use, but maybe I am wrong.

I went to that wine enthusiast link and it says it's legal in some
states but to be honest I think that is questionable information;
(maybe they are referring to 'altered states').

I would make sure the federal, state and municipal govt's said it was
OK before I did anything like this. (I know, sounds paranoid. I'm
from Western PA and that whole Whiskey Rebellion thing didn't work out
the way people around here wanted it to...) I'm pretty sure they are
legal in New Zealand but I'm not packing my bags over this...

:)

Joe

Distilling brandy
 

"Joe Sallustio" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>> OK...
>> Maybe this was not a good idea. I thought you could distill a small
>> amount,
>> for personal use, but maybe I am wrong.
>
> I went to that wine enthusiast link and it says it's legal in some
> states but to be honest I think that is questionable information;
> (maybe they are referring to 'altered states').
>
> I would make sure the federal, state and municipal govt's said it was
> OK before I did anything like this. (I know, sounds paranoid. I'm
> from Western PA and that whole Whiskey Rebellion thing didn't work out
> the way people around here wanted it to...) I'm pretty sure they are
> legal in New Zealand but I'm not packing my bags over this...
>
> :)
>
> Joe
>
>

Yeah, well Marijuana might be legal in some states. That does not mean the
FED's will not put you under the jail for using!

Ray

Distilling brandy
 

>>> OK...
>>> Maybe this was not a good idea. I thought you could distill a small
>>> amount, for personal use, but maybe I am wrong.

>> I went to that wine enthusiast link and it says it's legal in some
>> states but to be honest I think that is questionable information;
>> (maybe they are referring to 'altered states').
>>
>> I would make sure the federal, state and municipal govt's said it was
>> OK before I did anything like this. (I know, sounds paranoid. I'm
>> from Western PA and that whole Whiskey Rebellion thing didn't work out
>> the way people around here wanted it to...) I'm pretty sure they are
>> legal in New Zealand but I'm not packing my bags over this...

What is often missed in reality is that New Zealand is damn close
to being a third world nation. University Professors I know have
lived in cinder block houses with tin roofs and have planted crops
and kept livestock to keep food costs down!

What makes the Whiskey Tax humorous is that John Hancock's major
occupation was smuggling and he was outraged when the bloody
British seized his ships containing tea and rum. To get revenge,
he preached revolution! ROTFLMAO

> Yeah, well Marijuana might be legal in some states. That does
> not mean the FED's will not put you under the jail for using!

Sound advice.

Dick
- Life is like running a moonshine still. You can do anything
you want until the revenue agents find you doing it.
- Dick Adams (1994)

Distilling brandy
 

Be VERY careful of home distilling. I researched it a few years back
-- as far as I could determine it's illegal in every country except
New Zealand.

In the USA the penalty for home distilling can include confiscation of
real estate, e.g., the Feds take your house.

Bryan



On Mon, 18 Dec 2006 16:35:58 GMT, "Ray Calvert"
> wrote:

>
>"Joe Sallustio" > wrote in message
roups.com...
>>> OK...
>>> Maybe this was not a good idea. I thought you could distill a small
>>> amount,
>>> for personal use, but maybe I am wrong.
>>
>> I went to that wine enthusiast link and it says it's legal in some
>> states but to be honest I think that is questionable information;
>> (maybe they are referring to 'altered states').
>>
>> I would make sure the federal, state and municipal govt's said it was
>> OK before I did anything like this. (I know, sounds paranoid. I'm
>> from Western PA and that whole Whiskey Rebellion thing didn't work out
>> the way people around here wanted it to...) I'm pretty sure they are
>> legal in New Zealand but I'm not packing my bags over this...
>>
>> :)
>>
>> Joe
>>
>>
>
>Yeah, well Marijuana might be legal in some states. That does not mean the
>FED's will not put you under the jail for using!
>
>Ray
>

Distilling brandy
 

Bryan:

Can you find a reference for this claim? I've heard it, but haven't
seen it anywhere.

The penalties I've seen at ATF site are upto 5 years in prison and
$10,000 fine. Yeah, that is enough!!!

Steve
Oregon and satisfied making wine, Thank you!


>Jake Speed > wrote:

snip
>
>In the USA the penalty for home distilling can include confiscation of
>real estate, e.g., the Feds take your house.
>
>Bryan
>
>

Distilling brandy
 

> Can you find a reference for this claim? I've heard it, but haven't
> seen it anywhere.
>
> The penalties I've seen at ATF site are upto 5 years in prison and
> $10,000 fine. Yeah, that is enough!!!
>

It's under Title 26 of the US Code of Federal Regulations. Here is a
link:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/ht...5----000-.html

It could be a very bad day. To be honest, if you don't know what you
are doing distilling isn't just a fire and explosion hazard, the first
part that boils off and the last part are poisonous. I have an old
distilling book from Seagram made during WWII. Even if it were legal I
would think twice about it.

Joe

Distilling brandy
 

Thanks Joe.

Like I said, the fines and prison time is enough for me! I'm a
chicken, big time!!

Tha actual process, though, is not that difficult. The bp's of the
various volities in a mash or wine are far enough apart that
distillation can be conducted with readily avaible equipment.
Concentrations of the bad things in moonshine relative to alcohol
content can actually be less than wine.

Because it CAN be done is the problem. Unlce Sam doesn't get his cut
if everyone was doing it. Revenue - IIRC is something like $2.50 per
fifth!!

I'm not partial to hard stuff, can't stand it really, never have
developed a taste for it either. I have a jug of Crown Royal I won in
a bet in 1990. Still have some, use it to make my grandma's recipe
for cough syrup! (Flame suit at hand)

Making good wine is enough to keep my interest 'till I'm buried.

Take Care,
Steve
Oregon







On 22 Dec 2006 13:00:59 -0800, "Joe Sallustio" >
wrote:

>> Can you find a reference for this claim? I've heard it, but haven't
>> seen it anywhere.
>>
>> The penalties I've seen at ATF site are upto 5 years in prison and
>> $10,000 fine. Yeah, that is enough!!!
>>
>
>It's under Title 26 of the US Code of Federal Regulations. Here is a
>link:
>
>http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/ht...5----000-.html
>
>It could be a very bad day. To be honest, if you don't know what you
>are doing distilling isn't just a fire and explosion hazard, the first
>part that boils off and the last part are poisonous. I have an old
>distilling book from Seagram made during WWII. Even if it were legal I
>would think twice about it.
>
>Joe

Distilling brandy
 

Steve,
I read up on it and saw the boiling points were different; I could see
that being easy to deal with with proper temperature monitoring and
appropriate routing of the discharge.

I fix things for a living and I guess the thing that would give me
pause is how many people you see doing anything right as opposed to how
many look for shortcuts; actually read instructions etc. This is the
one time I might even read the instructions; even the legal mumbo
jumbo... And no, I'm not making any either, I have too much wine and
beer already.

:)

Joe

spud wrote:
> Thanks Joe.
>
> Like I said, the fines and prison time is enough for me! I'm a
> chicken, big time!!
>
> Tha actual process, though, is not that difficult. The bp's of the
> various volities in a mash or wine are far enough apart that
> distillation can be conducted with readily avaible equipment.
> Concentrations of the bad things in moonshine relative to alcohol
> content can actually be less than wine.
>
> Because it CAN be done is the problem. Unlce Sam doesn't get his cut
> if everyone was doing it. Revenue - IIRC is something like $2.50 per
> fifth!!
>
> I'm not partial to hard stuff, can't stand it really, never have
> developed a taste for it either. I have a jug of Crown Royal I won in
> a bet in 1990. Still have some, use it to make my grandma's recipe
> for cough syrup! (Flame suit at hand)
>
> Making good wine is enough to keep my interest 'till I'm buried.
>
> Take Care,
> Steve
> Oregon
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 22 Dec 2006 13:00:59 -0800, "Joe Sallustio" >
> wrote:
>
> >> Can you find a reference for this claim? I've heard it, but haven't
> >> seen it anywhere.
> >>
> >> The penalties I've seen at ATF site are upto 5 years in prison and
> >> $10,000 fine. Yeah, that is enough!!!
> >>
> >
> >It's under Title 26 of the US Code of Federal Regulations. Here is a
> >link:
> >
> >http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/ht...5----000-.html
> >
> >It could be a very bad day. To be honest, if you don't know what you
> >are doing distilling isn't just a fire and explosion hazard, the first
> >part that boils off and the last part are poisonous. I have an old
> >distilling book from Seagram made during WWII. Even if it were legal I
> >would think twice about it.
> >
> >Joe

Distilling brandy
 

Joe Sallustio wrote:
<clipped>
.... And no, I'm not making any either, I have too much wine and
> beer already.
>
> :)
>
> Joe
>

Besides, we'd just dilute the hard stuff down with other, inferior
flavors :-)

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwaanza, Happy Holidays, Cheers!!

Gene

Distilling brandy
 

> Like I said, the fines and prison time is enough for me! I'm a
> chicken, big time!!
>
> The actual process, though, is not that difficult. The bp's of
> the various volities in a mash or wine are far enough apart that
> distillation can be conducted with readily avaible equipment.
> Concentrations of the bad things in moonshine relative to alcohol
> content can actually be less than wine.

I am not encouraging anyone to violate federal and state laws.

If you took a 4 liter jug of 8% (16 proof wine), distilled it
into brandy, and on the presumption that you knew what you were
doing (highly unlike for a novice), you would get less than a
liter of 32% (64 proof) brandy. If the fire department comes
out and determines the source of the fire, you will get both
persecuted and prosecuted.

If you are successful, you will less than a liter of brandy and
no way to age it unless you can find one liter casks. LoL.

A simple substitute is to mix fruit juice with a whiskey you
like and that does not cause fires. I really like that idea.
I may just ferment apple juice, add some Southern Comfort to it,
and call it Janis Joplin Applejack. But first I need to finish
off the Janis Joplin Egg Nog.

Dick
- There are old moonshiners and there are bold moonshiners.
But there are NO old, bold moonshiners.

Distilling brandy
 

> A simple substitute is to mix fruit juice with a whiskey you
> like and that does not cause fires. I really like that idea.
> I may just ferment apple juice, add some Southern Comfort to it,
> and call it Janis Joplin Applejack. But first I need to finish
> off the Janis Joplin Egg Nog.
>
> Dick
> - There are old moonshiners and there are bold moonshiners.
> But there are NO old, bold moonshiners.


Everclear should do this nicely.

Distilling brandy
 

> Everclear should do this nicely.

Or cheap vodka. it's neutral. That's how I make Limoncello now. It's
as good as made with grain and easier to get in most states. In the
northeast US they have made it difficult to get 190 proof alcohol.
100 proof vodka is easy to find; 80 proof even easier.

Joe

Distilling brandy
 

If you could, please elaborate on the Limoncello how-to. That would
make a nice drink for next Christmas (or next week).
Thanks,
Adam


Joe Sallustio wrote:
> > Everclear should do this nicely.
>
> Or cheap vodka. it's neutral. That's how I make Limoncello now. It's
> as good as made with grain and easier to get in most states. In the
> northeast US they have made it difficult to get 190 proof alcohol.
> 100 proof vodka is easy to find; 80 proof even easier.
>
> Joe

Distilling brandy
 

> If you could, please elaborate on the Limoncello how-to.

Hi Adam,
I cleaned up an old post with the procedure and reposted to the group
as a separate header. It's very easy and you could easily be drinking
it in a few days.

Joe

Distilling brandy
 

Not that I have any intention of distilling but the regulation specifically
mentions anyone in the business of distilling. It does not say that it
applies to anyone distilling for own use. It seems that you might have to
contact ATF for the whole answer. I'm no lawyer but it seems that if you
registered the still and conducted no business, you'd be OK.

Dick


"Joe Sallustio" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> > Can you find a reference for this claim? I've heard it, but haven't
> > seen it anywhere.
> >
> > The penalties I've seen at ATF site are upto 5 years in prison and
> > $10,000 fine. Yeah, that is enough!!!
> >
>
> It's under Title 26 of the US Code of Federal Regulations. Here is a
> link:
>
>
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/ht...5----000-.html
>
> It could be a very bad day. To be honest, if you don't know what you
> are doing distilling isn't just a fire and explosion hazard, the first
> part that boils off and the last part are poisonous. I have an old
> distilling book from Seagram made during WWII. Even if it were legal I
> would think twice about it.
>
> Joe
>

Distilling brandy
 

"Richard Heckman" > wrote in message
...
> Not that I have any intention of distilling but the regulation
> specifically
> mentions anyone in the business of distilling. It does not say that it
> applies to anyone distilling for own use. It seems that you might have to
> contact ATF for the whole answer. I'm no lawyer but it seems that if you
> registered the still and conducted no business, you'd be OK.
>
> Dick

Hmmmm, I don't think ATF shares the same definition of "business." I copied
the following from:
http://www.atf.gov/alcohol/info/faq/spirits.htm

"S3: I've seen ads for home distilling equipment in catalogs ("turn wine
into brandy," "make your own essential oils"). Is it legal to buy and use a
still like that?
Under Federal rules administered by ATF, it depends on how you use the
still. You may not produce alcohol with these stills unless you qualify as a
distilled spirits plant (see earlier question). However, owning a small
still and using it for other purposes is allowed. You should also check with
your State and local authorities - their rules may differ. "

Note: two more paragraphs accompany this, but this is the nut. One of the
other paragraphs has to do with using a still in a school science fair
project. ATF says it can be done, with restrictions.

Casey