subject: The A-Z of Moonshine [print this page] Moonshine A-Z Moonshine A-Z
from RAINIERDISTILLERS.COM
Alcohol-A colorless liquid, produced by the fermentation of sugar or starch, that is the intoxicating agent in fermented drinks. Formula: C2H5OH
Alembic- an early still of various designs, derived from alchemical equipment. Also Lambic, Lambeek, and Lambyk.
Backins- weak whiskey left in a thump keg or boiler at the end of a second run after most usable alcohol has been extracted.
Bardy Grease/Fusel Alcohol- bitter, oily liquid composed of amyl and butyl alcohol as well as other undesirable substances, found in whiskey which has not been distilled thoroughly or to a sufficiently high proof. Commonly called fusel oil.
Bead- air bubbles that form along the meniscus (the curve in the upper surface of a standing body of liquid) of a shaken liquor. The size, duration and position on the surface indicate proof. The whiskey's ability to hold a bead is not infallible gauge of its wholesomeness or degree of adulteration.
Boiler- the body of a still that is charged with beer or fermented mash and heated.
Boiling chips- small insoluble porous stones made of calcium carbonate or silicon carbide used to create an even and smooth boil in heated liquids.
Blockader- venerable ( commanding respect) term used for the one who transports moonshine, that predates modern division of labor. Named after revolutionary smugglers in the Appalachian.
Bootlegger- one who sells moonshine illegally.
Cap- removable still component that seals the top of a pot still
Cap arm- Pipe extending from the head of the still that conveys alcoholic vapors to the thump keg or the condenser.
Cape- area just below the collar of a pot still that forms the sloping shoulders of the still.
Carboy- Large glass jug
Charge-to fill a boiler or thumper with the desired volume of beer, backins'. low wines or feints. On the pot still usually 80% of its capacity.
Condenser- A metal device, in contact with cool water inside which alcohol vapors revert to liquid.
Cut- to reduce the alcohol concentration in a distilled spirit by blending it with water, beer or low wines.
Doubled and twisted- high proof whiskey or high wines that has been run thru the pot still twice.
Doubler/thump keg- airtight condenser sometimes between a boiler and condenser of a pot still that increases the proof of a single run, eliminating need to do double run. Hot vapors from the boiler enter under beer's surface, heat it and produce higher proof vapors that exits to the condenser.
Feints- the leftover liquid in a thump keg after a run, or in a boiler after second or subsequent runs. Sometimes referred to as thumper tails. These are withdrawn after a run and replaced with fresh beer or backins to provide alcohol for the thumper's doubling effect.
Fermentation- the natural process by which yeast converts sugars and starches to alcohol and CO2
Fermenter /Mash tub- tubs, barrels, carboys, boxes of vats in which mash is fermented.
Filter- the strainer thru which fresh distillate passes when it emerges from the condenser. A filter may be as simple as a felt hat, or a commercial apparatus containing activated charcoal. Filtering removes particulates (of, relating to, or formed of minute separate particles) and unwanted congeners ( a member of the same kind, class, or group).
Flake Stand- a watertight container that holds a copper worm, the end which emerges from the bottom of the container. May be a keg, pickle bucket, olive barrel, large tin. Its water never comes in contact with the spirits.
Foreshots- the first sputters of poisonous liquid that emerge from the condenser at the beginning of a run, high in fusel alcohols and undesirable congeners such as methanol. Must be thrown away.
Luting- compound paste to seal a pot stills connections to prevent vapors from evaporating
Malt- sprouted, dried and ground grain. Traditionally corn and barley but also rye and nearly any other grain that has diatase, an enzyme that converts no fermentable carbs into fermentable sugar.
Middlings- coarsely ground, intermediate grade mill products such as wheat, rye, barley or oats.
Moon shine- Illicitly( forbidden by law, rules, or custom) produced, non-tax paid, distilled spirits.
Peatreek- illicit Scotch Whiskey, named for the smell of the peat used to dry malted barley.
Poitin- pronounced puh-cheen. Illicit Irish moonshine made from potatoes. Made from sugar, molasses and grains.
Proof- the proportion of alcohol in distilled spirits. By American reckoning, proof is exactly twice the ethanol content at 60 degrees F. Under British system it is alcohol by volume ( ABV) times 1.75.
Proof Vial- a small glass tube used to estimate proof by beading. A vial of whiskey in poured into glass vial and shaken and resulting bead is read.l
Singlings- the first run of whiskey disilled in a pot still.
Still- any common form of distilling device. May just only be a boiler and head, may include furnace, flake stand and condenser.
Still house- small structure where still is kept
Swab stick- wooden stick with one end splayed out like a brush. Used to stir heating mash in a boiler and to scrub the interior walls of a large still to keep mash from sticking before it boils.
Tempering tub- tub used to blend whiskeys of varying proof either from single or multiple runs to achieve uniform proof.
