Tirador

One more thought that I should have added above is that (I think) a significant difference between a rectification column and a dephlegmator is that the steam passing through a column is coming out of the distillation chamber (kettle) and is high in heat-energy making it rise, the steam passing through the dephegmator has far less heat energy as it is already starting to condense and is falling ... Notice I said "I think" ... anyone with more knowledge want to comment? S.

I'm certainly no expert, but what I've been told when I asked a simlar question of someone a few years ago (I think it was Kris Berglund, but I honestly don't remember for sure), is that a dephlegmator (aka a tube-type reflux condensor) ads another level of rectification after the colomn, while the steam is cooling down and heading towards the condensor. It's vertical tubes allow charged steam to contact and strip alcohol molocules from the liquid on the side of the tubes while the steam is cooling, condensing water and other higher-boiling point stuff and returning it to the still prior to the steam getting to the final condensor. That is if I remember the converstion correctly. I found a definition that seems to support that too ... Dephlegmator - a device surmounting the rectifying column of a still whose function is to condense portions of the vapours rich in high boiling point constituents and return the condensate to the column as reflux. I've also seen older stills with virticle tubes either in/on or attached to the still head that are structured like a tube-dephlegmator, but that fill the function of a colomn (I guess they would technically be a colomn ...). I hope that helps.

I've never personnally seen a containment system in a distillery ... but I do understand what your insurance guy is saying. My concern, if I were you, would be that this could cause your insurance rates to go up. One of the quickest ways for a small business to become unprofitable is for that to happen ... You should at least have a logical plan as how you'll manage a spill, including how you'll contain it and clean it up and how you'll mitigate the chances of fire, etc. It doesn't need to be fancy ... it just needs to be realistic and show your insurance company that you're on top of things. It needs to take away reasons for them to raise your rates (if that's possible). Depending upon what your relationship is with your local fire department you may want to ask their advice, follow it, and then document what you've done to show your insurance company. Just my two cents.

Here's a real simple plan for a glass marble filled column ... it uses glass marbles, but you can use other materials as well. I've got some more complex plans with plates and various styles of vents and bubble caps in my library, but they're packed as we're in the process of moving from Ohio to Colorado. If you bug me in about a month when I've got my library unpacked I'll scan several plans for you. Stephen

That's good to hear Pete. I'm a pretty seasoned business person with years of corporate business and several successful entrepreneurial efforts under my belt. I'm faculty at a major univeristy's business school too. I don't mind giving a little ad-hoc advice as long as it doesn't take up too much of my time, so feel free to ask questions from time to time if you like. In fact I'm assisting two small businessmen that are trying to open microbreweries right now ... I would strongly recommend, as others have, that if you can attend the upcoming ADI event that you do. If you can't, there will be others. You should also reach out to the local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in your area if there is one. All 50 states have them so I'm sure there's one someplace in your state. They should be able to provide you with a lot of assistance with business and financial planning, etc. Anyway, good luck. Stephen

Peter, I think you need to re-read what others have previously said. If you're serious about doing this, then you're still a long way off from "looking for cheap rent". You need research both the regulations (Federal, state and local) and the market you intend to sell your product in then put together a detailed business plan that includes a realistic financial model of potential revenues, cash flows, etc. Most new businesses fail due to poor prior planning ... and distilleries take far more planning then many other types of businesses due to the nature of the business and the regulatory enviroment that we operate in. Have you ever managed or run a business before? Stephen

Absinthe is legal and people other then St. George are producing it in the U.S.? Amazing ... Sincerely, Stephen A. Gould - Proprieter/Distiller Maison De La Vie, Ltd., producers of REDUX Absinthe www.village-distillery.com

I agree with the previous poster ... malt products is a very good supplier. I used their malts for beer production some time ago, and I've experiemented with their Molassas and Agave as well. I know of several distillers currently using their Molassas to produce rum. The good thing about this company is that they have a variety of options for Molassas, and their products are very "clean". They also produce organic products too. Here's their web-site. http://www.maltproducts.com/

Alan, For starters you need to make sure that you license this properly ... i.e. don't pursue a "research" license unless you absolutely do not intend to ever do anything other then "research". Even though this is an experimental distillery, it needs to be licensed as a production facility from the get-go or you're going to need to virtually start from scratch with new licensing when you decide to sell product. Next, there are lots of used and/or antique stills that would be ideal for what you're seeking ... and +/- 100 liters is a pretty common size for small distilleries (especially in Europe). With a little reasearch and time spent looking for something used and inexpensive you should be able to find something inexpensive that you can work on fairly easily. I may be able to help with that, as I tend to find this stuff pretty often (btw, all the stills on my site are sold and I don't have anything currently available ... so I'm just making a statement that I might be able to help at some point). There are also a number of inexpensive options for new stills that may meet your needs. I and many other folks here can give you some advice there too, so please just ask. Next ... you probably should think about the types of product you want to produce prior to beginning your search of a small still. Anyway, feel free to ask anything you want ... I'm always willing to help. Sincerely, Stephen A Gould - Proprieter / Distiller Maison De La Vie, Ltd. - A Village Distillery c/o Gould Global (216)831-0135 Fax: (216)831-0137 Mobile: 734-945-8178 www.village-distillery.com

In the Greek Islands they call it Souma, on the Greek Mainland they call it Tsipuro, in the Balkens north of Greece they call it Grippa, in Italy Grappa, in France Marc ... it's all firey pumace brandy, that's fun to make and fun to drink (if it's done well that is ...). Anyway, I stumbled accross this video (more of a slide-show really) that shows the start to finish process used at a distillery on the island of Samos in Greece. It's worth the time to watch, especially if you're thinking of making Pumace Bandy of some sort. Here's the link. Enjoy. Stephen

I would recommend RB Graphic Design. Rebecca Byrd is in Fayettville AR. She's done web-sites for both my companies (www.gouldglobal.com and www.village-distillery.com) and for several other companies I know. She provides full graphic design services and may be able to provide hosting services too. She is fast, reasonable, professional and very nice. We've used her services for several years, even though we're located in Ohio currently and she's in Arkansas. Her web-site is: http://www.rbgraphicdesign.com/ She has a portfolio on the site as well. Please tell her that Stephen Gould from Maison De La Vie suggested you contact her. Stephen

I'm in the process of moving to Colorado and am seeking growers of Mirabelle Plumb (Geneva or French Variety), and of Citron, especially the Buddha's Hand Variety. I am specifically looking for Colorado Fruit. I am also interested in other fruits, herbs and etc. I am seeking suppliers to support our new distillery near Denver. Thanks. Stephen Gould - Proprieter /Distiller Maison De La Vie, Ltd. - A Village Distillery www.village-distillery.com

Maison De La Vie has three antique stills that we are going to sell prior to our upcoming move from the Cleveland area to Golden Colorado. All are reasonably priced. One just needs a little cleaning up, the second needs a little more work and the third needs a complete tear-down but will be beutiful when cleaned up. Please see attached document for pictures, discriptions and pricing as I can not attach the document here. Please contact me with any questions as well. Sincerely, Stephen A Gould - Proprieter / Distiller Maison De La Vie, Ltd. - A Village Distillery c/o Gould & Associates Global Services, Inc. 216-831-0135 Fax: 216-831-0137 Mobile: 734-945-8178 Skype: stephenagould www.village-distillery.com MOVING SALE - MDLV Stills for Sale - 10 Feb 2010.pdf