nuffield

You won't get an accurate reading with a hydrometer. I use a refractometer to get a brix reading and convert it to SG. This is the easiest and very quick.

Best option is to buy a small second hand cooling tower.

from the most reliable place on the internet:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Gogh_Vodka

"The Royal Dirkzwager Distillery maintains its 125 year legacy by handcrafting Van Gogh Vodka in small batches using a variety of grains, which is a combination consisting mainly of wheat, corn and barley. The vodka is distilled twice in column stills and then a third time in a traditional pot still to produce a vodka of the highest refinement. The copper pot still takes “the bite” out of the alcohol, leaving a smooth finish."

It is possible however I doubt it very much due to costs involved. If they don't have sufficient copper contact time in the column, the potstill will smooth it, providing it is a copper potstill.

We've perrused the TTB for info on the subject of using malt extract for primary fermentation base, can't find a thing. Has anyone else here had any experience with the TTB and the use of malt extract? It's a bit higher cost, but the higher cost outweighs the added labor when figuring storage, shipment, processing, etc. of whole grain. And we purchase wholesale direct.

I have tried malt extract. What a disaster!!! Don't go that root if you want to produce any spirit worth aging or drinking. Trust me, the spirit has a toffee aroma and horrible taste. Stay with full grain mashes.