Connor Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Hey Everyone! Just thought I would take a minute to introduce myself. Name's Connor and I'm a winemaker in Northern California. The winery that I am responsible for is going to be starting a distillery soon and I guess I'm going to be the distiller too! Exciting! We have a 25hl Prulho Charentais cognac still and were looking into making some whiskey and brandy. If anyone has experience with a still like this please let me know! I am in the process of setting it up as we speak. It's very old and there a few parts we need to replace before we get it finished. Looking forward to getting to know you all! Cheers, Connor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedd Haas Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 That sounds like a nice still, can you post some pictures? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Posted March 8, 2013 Author Share Posted March 8, 2013 It sure is! It is a rescue project for us. We found it sitting in a yard corroding and the guy was very happy to let it go to a good home and get some use. I'll see if I can dig up a picture of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Posted March 8, 2013 Author Share Posted March 8, 2013 Here we go. Sorry about the blackout on the last image...the owner would like to stay anonymous until we are ready to rock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artisan Still Design Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 looks like you got a good amount of elbow grease into that beauty Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedd Haas Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 That's a pretty incredible still, especially for your first one. Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Posted March 11, 2013 Author Share Posted March 11, 2013 looks like you got a good amount of elbow grease into that beauty Steve Oh yes. And quite a bit more to go! I want to get the preheater stripped down to show its copper as well since the paint is in bad shape. The condenser's paint is looking good so I think I will leave that. Thanks for the interest guys! I'll be sure to keep you updated on our progress. Connor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmidaboot Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 MAN!! That is freakin' incredible! What parts is it missing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 So far it doesn't look like much if anything is missing. There are things that are broken or just need to be replaced though. Ours came with very bulky/ugly automated butterfly valves who's cords are all cut and would be a pain to hook up again. We'd like to get manual ones like the ones in this picture The wood supports for the condenser coils are all rotten and I'm working on replacing those right now. If anyone knows how to make our copper shine like the one in the picture please let me know!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedd Haas Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 If anyone knows how to make our copper shine like the one in the picture please let me know!! Bar Keepers Friend, then Brasso. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okperioimplant Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 That is a fantastic find! If you don't mind me asking, where did you stumble on this beauty? i would love to find and old still and fix it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 Thanks! I don't mind sharing at all but unfortunately its not a very reproducible scenario, we just got really lucky with our find. We had already decided that we wanted to start a distillery and were looking into what kind of still we wanted when we were actually just driving down some backroad and saw this thing sitting in a lawn. We both just looked at each other and knew that this was our still. We found out who the property belonged to by knocking on doors and finally got a hold of the owner who was living in NY and he was more than happy to let it go to a good home. Here's a new picture of its progress, just got the preheater stripped down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 After a couple weeks of elbow grease and sore shoulders I shot this yesterday, I think I'm finally finished (more or less)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wm. R. Hill & Co. Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Hi Conner, If you haven't already decided on any whiskey or brandy bottles, please give us some consideration as we have competitive shipping rates to California. Cheers, Shawn shawn@wmrhill.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theglix Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 would love to hear how this worked out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aellison Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Oh wow that is a great story/find. Wish you the best Connor! Talk about putting your intentions out there for the universe and then wham, you drive right past that beauty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gordon Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Did you get this up and running??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor Posted September 30, 2016 Author Share Posted September 30, 2016 Hi guys, just wanted to get a quick update in. We are up and running! Check us out at www.AlmendraWinery.com Here's the still in its final state Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWFiggins Posted September 30, 2016 Share Posted September 30, 2016 Great restoration, Connor, and pick up the phone and call for some straight talk about fine brandy anytime! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captnKB Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 Dang! that turned out beautiful! Well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyhigher87 Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 Damn that thing is beeeeaaautiful. Love it good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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