JimmyCrackCorn

Hi Daniel, The "rum flavors" come from the congeners that are produced by yeast during fermentation of sugar cane products. The art of the distiller is to seperate the good congeners from the bad congeners by distilling them. There are no short cuts in making real rum. Now that does not mean that you could not purchase a sugar cane based alcohol and add flavors such as caramel and spice to artificially flavor your product. It would be very much like the big brand name rums that are already on the shelf at very competive prices. Perhaps you should first decide if you want to be a blending house or a distillery and then create your brand accordingly. Good luck!

The State of Missouri allows me to hold all three licenses; manufacture, wholesale, and retail. Each license is separate from the other with independent fees. The resale license gives me the right to sell my products here at the distillery only. I can have no other interest in any retail business that sells alcohol. It sure helps the bottom line when you can have access to all three tiers!! Cheers! Jim

Hey Porter, I added 900 feet of pex tubing into my new concrete foundation. I have 25 gallons of water in a 55 gallon drum plus the water in my "shotgun" style condenser and however many gallons are in the 900 feet of 1/2 tubing. I use a sump pump to recirculate the water through the system. I can distill every day of the week with my 140 gallon pot still and never have any issues with heat building up. The ground does a wonderful job of absorbing the heat. All of the great ideas on this thread can be added to the simple system I use to move those btu's around your production area. The hot water from your condenser can be sent to a heat exchanger to heat water for your next mash before it enters the ground for instance. I highly recommend the pex tubing in your foundation to anyone constructing a new building. Send me a message if I can help. Great thread!!! Cheers, Jim

Hello, I have the "Missouri Still" from the Colonel. It is a direct fire pot and I use propane to fire 3 "banjo burners". Each burner is capable of just over 200,000 btu's with the 30 psi regulator they come with. Of course, 30 psi into a commercial building would never pass any building codes, so check with your local building codes for compliance. I use 5 psi so my btu's are under 200,000 for each burner. You should research or hire someone to calculate the proper about of fresh air needed to safety vent your flue gases away from your production area. Carbon monoxide can build up while oxygen is depleted. This can be very dangerous! I have a fire box that directs the gases into the flue pipe which is 8 inches in diameter. It took time and effort to design the still, and the heating system, but it was worth it! I am very pleased with the full flavor profile that direct fire adds to my spirits! I hope this helps! Send me a message if you would like more information. Cheers, Jim

Look at zoning the area on your property that you need for commercial use. Start with your local county for the proper permits. It will help to establish the line between your dwelling and your distillery. It also helps to separate your residential from your commercial taxes. It is very nice to be able to walk to work!!!

I will be using a pot still to make whiskey. I plan on a stripping run followed by a spirit run. Can you explain what you mean by "two distillations at fixed alcohol in each run? Are you shooting for a fixed alcohol content on each run? And if so what would you advise each run to be for a full flavored whiskey?

Hello to all. I am Jim Blansit, owner of the Big Rock Distillery. I have just finished the construction stage of a 2160 square foot building located 10 miles north of Branson Missouri. My wife and I are lucky enough to live in the beautiful Ozark Mountains and just 800 feet from the distillery. We are expecting our 145 gallon pot still next week!! Now it is time for all those wonderful forms... We hope to be open by the end of the year...Our focus is whiskey and rum along with a "moonshine" product for all the tourist that come to visit. The great state of Missouri allows us to have a sample room with retails sales at the distillery!! I have enjoyed reading this forum and look forward to joining all of you in this great adventure! Cheers, Jim