steve@spiritech

Hi Arthur,

I operate my own consulting company providing product and process development services to the disilling industries. I had evaluated the Kairos process about 10 years ago when I was in charge of Process Development for a large multi-national distiller. I was impressed with Kairos' ability to replicate a matured taste and aroma using their system. Basically, Kairos' business is in providing their proprietary equipment and their custom wood product to the customer, and the on-going expense (the revenue stream to Kairos) then becomes the repeat purchases of the wood materials. From what I recall, the business model had Kairos providing the custom treated wood to the customer in packed cartridges. The spirits would be passed through the cartridges at a prescribed rate as part of the total "aging" process. Spent cartriges would be returned to Kairos for recharging. I recall their being quite a bit of technology around the Kairos process; it involved temperature staging, forced oxidation and controlled exposure to some high-tech treated wood materials. Kairos would develop a system specific to the customer requirements.

It is nice to see that Kairos is still around - I had evaluated them in their early development days. It is worth further investigation in my opinion.

Best of luck,

Steve Wright

Spiritech Solutions

sw.spiritech@sympatico.ca

519 996-3649

Dave,

The large commercial distillers often have their vodka sit overnight between diluting and filtering/bottling, but this is usually just as a result of scheduling. Vodka does not usually need to be rested after dilution, but if you notice any offensive or "defect" aromas coming off your vodka after dilution, you should let it rest at least 12 hrs in hopes that the aromas will dissipate. On the occasion that diacetyl is carried over into the spirits at a detectable level, the distiller will either rest the spirits/vodka or may resort to agitating or aerating the spirits to reduce this highly volatile component before bottling.

-Steve Wright

I searched the forum but didn't find any info about this.

After diluting down to vodka strength, 40%, is any resting/marrying/aging recommended before bottling? I'm not an idiot, and realize nobody "ages" vodka, but I recall reading something somewhere about allowing the vodka to rest a certain amount of time after dilution to bottling strength.

Perhaps I am simply confused about my past research. If not, please enlighten me.

Feel free to contact me to discuss your problem in more depth. I operate my own consulting company catering to the beverage distillers. I have seen many distillation problems in my years working with the big distillers, and I may be able to help you with yours. You can contact me at sw.spiritech@sympatico.ca if you want to share more details about your problem.

-Steve

I'm having a problem. I'm working on my fourth batch. Been doing everything from mashing, fermenting & distilling the same. Developmemt, first, second and the beginning of the third batch was all good. The tail end of my third batch tasted like putting ten jalapeno's in your mouth.

I cleaned out the still prior to my fourth batch. When I did so, I found that four heating elements (electric still) had burst. I figured that must be the cause of the jalapeno spirits. I replaced all of the heating elements, cleaned the still out using Sterox, water rinse, soaked it in citric acid, water rinse. Ran the still with water.

Started my fourth batch today and still have jalapeno liquor. This is horrible. Don't know what else to do but tear apart the still and scrub. Any advise and have any of you ran into this before?