Why Does Moonshine Smell Like Sake?

Why does my moonshine smell like rubbing alcohol?

How to Remove Methanol from Moonshine – One way a commercial distiller would determine the presence of methanol is to monitor still temperature, If anything is produced by the still before wash temperature reaches 174 degrees, it’s methanol. A commercial distiller will discard it.

Again, methanol boils at a lower temperature than ethanol and will concentrate at the beginning of distillation runs. Additionally, commercial distillers have determined that simply discarding a standard amount per batch, based on batch size, is enough to keep things safe. The rule of thumb is to discard 1/3 of a pint jar for every 5 gallons of wash being distilled.

How much initial product to discard:

1 gallon batch – discard the first 2/3 of a shot glass 5 gallon batch – discard the first 1/3 of a pint jar 10 gallon batch – discard the first 3/4 of a pint jar

Regardless of still temp, it’s a good idea to always follow this rule of thumb. Methanol or not, the first stuff to come off the still tastes and smells like rubbing alcohol. It’s by far the worst stuff in the entire production run and it isn’t going to impress anyone. Kyle Brown is the owner of Clawhammer Supply, a small scale distillation and brewing equipment company which he founded in 2009. His passion is teaching people about the many uses of distillation equipment as well as how to make beer at home. When he isn’t brewing beer or writing about it, you can find him at his local gym or on the running trail.

What is moonshine supposed to taste like?

What’s the Taste Like? – The bottles of moonshine somehow taste like 151 rum. If you’ve tasted this drink, you’ll get a burning sensation and a kick, which is similar to the taste of moonshine. Also, some explain that bottles of moonshine taste kind of earthy.

Aside from the rubbing alcohol taste, you should taste the slight sweetness and hints of corn flavor. Some testers report that bottles of moonshine taste like good grappa and have a flavor strictly of their own. Others claim to discern vanilla notes in the good moonshine. However, this is not a true moonshine flavor and was most likely added to make it more appealing to the modern palate.

Also Read: Moonshine vs Whiskey

How is moonshine so strong?

How is Moonshine Made? – The traditional ingredients for moonshine are corn and sugar, and during fermentation, the sugar produces ethanol, which makes hooch or moonshine. During distillation, alcohol separates from the mash. Unlike other liquors such as whiskey or bourbon, moonshine is unaged, which produces a distilled spirit with high alcohol content.

1. The stereotype of moonshiners centers around how “country folk” distill and transport their potables in jugs marked “XXX” during the night to avoid being detected.
2. But having access to commercially produced all-copper moonshine stills on the internet has made moonshine distillation less risky in the modern era.

But for a great drink, here is the recipe:

Can you overdose on moonshine?

However, if someone consumes 10 ml or more of methanol, even split up among drinks, that can be enough to cause permanent damage or kill them.

Why do moonshiners throw out the head?

Heads – When distilling, you should separate, or cut, the heads, hearts, and tails. The head of the distillate is the first portion of the run. You can recognise it by its smell. It has an unpleasant smell like nail polish or methylated spirits. You throw away the heads or you can keep it to use as a fire starter for your BBQ.

What type of alcohol causes blindness?

Alcohol Addiction Increases the Risk of Blindness The type of alcohol that has the potential to cause blindness is methanol. These substances can immediately damage the nervous system, including the eye nerves. Initially, it causes inflammation, followed by the death of nervous system tissue, which can cause blindness and lead to death.

1. The alcohol content of alcoholic beverages varies.
2. Most types of alcoholic beverages that are drunk are types of ethanol compounds with the molecular formula C2H5OH.
3. This type of alcohol can affect the central nervous system, so when it is drunk, it will certainly cause the person consuming it to lose consciousness, and in severe conditions, it can cause death.

In the manufacture of adulterated alcohol (self-mixed), it is often mixed with methanol (CH3OH) or benzene (C6H6). These materials can also cause poisoning and cause permanent nerve damage (blindness or death). The mixed material has been fused with alcohol and cannot be separated or decomposed.

Methanol is a type of chemical substance that can cause blindness and paralysis when it enters the body. In mild cases, benzene causes a deficiency of erythrocytes (a condition when the level of red blood cells in the body falls below the normal range) and leukocytes (a condition when the number of white blood cells in the body falls below normal).

Meanwhile, in severe cases, benzene will cause nausea and even death due to heart and respiratory system failure. For cases of sudden blurry vision, an ophthalmologist will provide maximum therapy in the form of high-dose drug injections. The therapy given aims to reduce swelling of the optic nerve due to methanol or alcohol intoxication.

• Individual responses vary from therapy given; if it is not too late, sometimes visual acuity can improve, but if there has been total tissue damage, it will be difficult to return to normal so that blindness occurs.
• We cannot predict the occurrence of death.
• However, alcohol that has been mixed with methanol is very dangerous when consumed.

Consumption of 70% alcohol that has been mixed with methanol can cause blindness and paralysis. In severe cases, it can cause cardiac arrest and death, and the cases are quite common in our society. Of course, many types of cancer are also triggered by alcohol consumption.

Alcohol consumption can trigger cancer in several areas of the body, including the mouth, esophagus, throat, larynx (part of the respiratory system), and liver. In the human body, alcohol will activate several types of enzymes that trigger the development of cancer cells. Alcohol will also damage the DNA in the body so that some parts of the cells will grow and multiply uncontrollably.

Given the dangers that can cause everything from blindness to death, it is appropriate for all of us to stay away from alcohol and start living a healthy life without it. : Alcohol Addiction Increases the Risk of Blindness

Does making moonshine stink?

Home Distiller Simple pot still distillation and construction with or without a thumper. Moderator: Novice Posts: Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:17 pm Location: The Hills of Appalachia by » Thu May 23, 2013 11:46 am Hello friends! I have a question regarding distillation.

I am currently in the process of designing my first still, based off a simple 5 gallon SS stock pot. My question is regarding the smell of the distillation process. Is there an overbearing smell being produced from the still during a run? Thanks in advance for all your help. Novice Posts: Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 11:05 pm Location: Tauranga New Zealand by » Thu May 23, 2013 11:53 am No, unless my nose is blocked Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:46 am Location: Southern U.S.

How to Test Moonshine for Methanol (Smell it, Burn it)

by » Thu May 23, 2013 12:38 pm If you’re worried about bad smells in your house, there is only one. Let a ferment vessel go sour/bad after by not cleaning it and you’ll swear someone crapped in your hallway. If you’re worried about the neighbors getting on to your new hobby, fear not.

1. In the amounts we do as a hobby there are no real strong odors to give you away.
2. My ferments mostly smell of baking bread, the first odor off the still may smell of apples for a few minutes.
3. All good to me.
4. Novice Posts: Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:17 pm Location: The Hills of Appalachia by » Thu May 23, 2013 12:43 pm Ah, okay.

I was mostly concerned with the smells offending some neighbors. Baked bread and apples, yum. Two smells I associate with my grandmother’s house from when she would bake her own bread and make apple butter. I could get used to those smells for sure! Thank you all for the help! Bootlegger Posts: Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:09 pm by » Tue May 28, 2013 10:24 am Rums are going to have smells.

And whiskey. Birdwatchers. not so much. Ferments over 10gal are going to make your house/apartment have a brewery oder. Smells good to me but 15gal+ is going to be noticable without ventilation. Actual distilling causes very pleasant smells. Just my experience. Whoever appeals to the law against his fellow man is either a fool or a coward.

Whoever cannot take care of himself without that law is both. Lamb Of God KCSO- keep calm, shine on retired Posts: Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 7:42 am Location: Somewhere in the Ozarks by » Tue May 28, 2013 10:49 am Contrary to what many say. The whole process gives off very distinctive smells.

Although most of us like those smells. Others may not. And may be more prone to smelling it. Coming into the situation fresh. Example. My wife knows when I’m running the still in the basement. When she gets on the front porch. Since she was away and came in while I was running. She was not use to the smell as I was being right in it.

Same goes for fermenting. Usually the second day of fermentation in my larger fermenters. You can smell it at the front porch. All it would take is one nosey neighbor ringing the doorbell. And I mite get a visit. But most of them know I make beer and wine.

I tried to make sure of that. So it would be less of a question on their minds. Just saying not everyone responds to the smells the same. And yes there could be a potential problem. So keep all the bases covered. Rumrunner Posts: Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2013 7:16 pm Location: over yonder by » Tue May 28, 2013 11:16 am shady849 wrote: Ah, okay.

I was mostly concerned with the smells offending some neighbors. Baked bread and apples, yum. Two smells I associate with my grandmother’s house from when she would bake her own bread and make apple butter. I could get used to those smells for sure! Thank you all for the help! Sounds like we are going over the mountains and through the woods because off to our grandmothers house we shall go.

Here all those years I thought grandma was baking. It’s all starting to come together why she was always smiling and happywith a glass in her hand. My Grandpa used to say. Don’t argue with an idiot, because he will just drag you down to his level then beat you with experience. He also used to say. I didn’t say it was your fault.

I just said that I was blaming you. DD Angel’s Share Posts: Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2013 12:49 pm by » Tue May 28, 2013 6:55 pm I’ve got a 12 yr old grandson that can smell a rabbit fart when he is hunting, He is here every other day and figured out what ‘Pappy’ is starting to do, He’s absorbed all of Moonshiners on tv and informed Nona that when I started doing that EVERYBODY would know because of the smell that would fill the whole holler, he’d seed it to happen on the tv so it had to be true,

• Picked him up off the school bus one evening and asked him if he smelled anything, “No”.
• Got to the house and asked the same question,
• Same answer,
• Took him to the basement and asked,
• Same, same,
• Lifted the lid on a 30 gallon ferment and then he could smell it at the barrel,
• I have a passive vent in an unused chimney that vents odors,

Positive ventilation through same when I have burner running for co, No odors in my house or the community, If you ain’t the lead dog in the team, the scenery never changes, Ga Flatwoods made my avatar and I want to thank him for that, Don’t drink water, fish fornicate in it,

retired Posts: Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2012 1:19 pm Location: Down the road a piece. by » Tue May 28, 2013 8:14 pm There’s some smell from fermentation, not bad. Not really anything from distllation, all vapors are condensed back into liquid. But afterwards, a steaming pot of backset DEFINITELY fills a room with some funk.

Novice Posts: Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:17 pm Location: The Hills of Appalachia by » Tue May 28, 2013 8:43 pm Interesting. It seems like I don’t have much to worry about as long as I keep everything out of sight and smell. I’ve had some experience making wine and beer, so the smell of fermentation is nothing new to me. Posts: Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2012 3:43 pm Location: N.C. Blue Ridge Mtns. by » Wed May 29, 2013 5:42 pm Fermenting a grain mash in my open top oak barrel you can defently smell, and when i cook it off i can smell the sweetness when it gets up to boiling not real strong but its there trust me and once smelled you know it. Site Donor Posts: Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 3:59 am Location: Victoria, Australia.Usually the shed. Sometimes the cellar. by » Thu May 30, 2013 5:07 am I use a poly pipe hose that attaches to my fermenter air lock and plumbs the smell outside. Most sugar heads don’t stink too much, but all grain is noticable and plum brandy is way strong.

Its a delcious smell, but would create suspicion. Plum brandy is one of the most delicious smelling things to run, fills the distilling room with wonderful aroma’s, but its unique smell could be a give away. And turbo yeasts stink real bad. You design it, I make it. Copper and Stainless. Down under. PM me.

Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:54 pm Location: Hiding In the Boiler room of the Insane asylum by » Thu May 30, 2013 1:28 pm Fermentation smells like yeast. Distillation, especially during stripping runs stink. I’m editing this post.

The spent mash that is drained from the pot stinks. The smell gets in your clothes and hangs around for a couple of days. My 50-80 yr old friends can smell it. Novice Posts: Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:17 pm Location: The Hills of Appalachia by » Thu May 30, 2013 6:27 pm It seems like there are quite a few variables when it comes to the smell of the distillation process.

From what I have gathered from this post is that the smell of the distillation depends a lot on the specific type of mash you are charging into the boiler, proper ventilation is a must, and try to avoid unwanted company while you are practicing the hobby. Posts: Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2007 8:07 pm Location: up north by » Thu May 30, 2013 7:13 pm ” try to avoid unwanted company while you are practicing the hobby.” unwanted company? id say any company.Id say this is something you should be doing by yourself,for your self,keeping it to yourself.especially to day, seems some are “looking”.

retired Posts: Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:46 pm Location: New York, USA by » Fri May 31, 2013 8:53 am Dnderhead wrote: ” try to avoid unwanted company while you are practicing the hobby.” unwanted company? id say any company.Id say this is something you should be doing by yourself,for your self,keeping it to yourself.especially to day, seems some are “looking”.

I’m not big on company to begin with, let alone unexpected company. I had my first unexpected visitor last weekend. I saw the truck stop and went out to see who it was. I wasn’t doing anything still related but even so I managed to keep the visitors, who are only casual acquaintances and related to the former owner, away from the doors and windows.

Our conversation took place in the middle of the yard with me positioned between them and the house. I’m just a very private person that way and had no intentions of inviting them inside. If I am stilling I would be in lock down, out of sight, and would not answer the door. retired Posts: Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2012 1:19 pm Location: Down the road a piece.

by » Fri May 31, 2013 12:27 pm I think a dilemma many of us have to deal with isint necessarily the unwelcomed type of company. Unless you drink in secret and never tip a homemade with your friends, there are folk out there who know your dirty little secret.

• And they told 2 friends and they told 2 friends and so on.
• I had a drink with a friend who said he was gonna bring another friend over whos coming in from Nashville and a big whiskey fan.
• I yelled at him, before I caught my tongue, “this isint fucking Jim Beam with distillery tours for christs sake”.
• Corene mentioned in another thread on here she had to tell her friends she sold her still and lay low for a month cause they were all showing up and sponging a drop.

Its a tricky one, not quite sure how to deal with it except include only a select few and hold them to secrecy. And for everyone else, pour my bourbon in a Makers Mark bottle and keep my trap shut otherwise. “mmmm. this makers mark is tasting better than I remember” Distiller Posts: Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:25 am Location: Planet Erf.near the bottom.

By » Sun Jun 02, 2013 12:38 am Our local crime prevenion depends on informers, so they give a list of suspicious signals to be snitched annonomusly.Unusual smells, vents running constantly, and water running constantly. These three (out of many others) are symtoms of illegal activities that snitchers may confuse with stillin.

Take care. cornflakes.stripped and refluxed Bootlegger Posts: Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 12:21 pm Location: Old England UK by » Sun Jun 02, 2013 2:00 am The smell of backset from a sugar and tomato paste wash is really vile and recomend pouring it out in an outside drain rather than the kitchen sink.

The smell lingers for quite a while. A man who doesn’t read good books has no advantage over a man who cannot read. Swill Maker Posts: Joined: Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:49 pm Location: PAC NW by » Sun Jun 09, 2013 5:04 pm The smell of backset from a sugar and tomato paste wash is really vile and recomend pouring it out in an outside drain rather than the kitchen sink.

The smell lingers for quite a while. I do mostly tomato paste sugar washes.and you are right.it is acrid. But, I think he is worried about the neighbors so I would suggest you bite-the-bullet and dump it in your sink. I think it smells worse because the stuff looks like someone just ate 30 bowls of tomato soup and a vomited it up in your sink.warm and all lol. Posts: Joined: Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:13 pm Location: Central Alabama, Heart of Dixie! by » Sun Jun 09, 2013 6:01 pm Pyewacket wrote: I have done Rads Gerber recipe several times.and it is better.like 80lbs of warm baby vomit! Any with kids knows what that is like! “yeah? yeah? the maple flavored kind?” A dog on you tube.

Novice Posts: Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 2:17 pm Location: The Hills of Appalachia by » Sun Jun 09, 2013 9:38 pm Right now I have two 5 gallon Birdwatcher’s washes prepared and ready to go. I have some land around where I live that I can easily dump the backset afterwards, but I’ve been worried about stinking up my garage or basement to the point where it would be noticeable.

And to be clear, I don’t plan on having anybody around while I’m distilling. I don’t trust anyone enough around me to know what I’m up to! Swill Maker Posts: Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2012 1:09 pm Location: Palmetto State by » Mon Jun 10, 2013 2:47 am I made a 15 gal.

1. Cereal ferment a while back in my temperature controlled cabinet in my garage.
2. Had to go out of town for a few day’s for work, when I returned and opened the shop door the CO2 smell was very very strong.
3. After that I vented the blow off tubes outside.
4. Point is I think your senses get acustomed to smells and you dont really notice them.

kinda why most peeps don’t think their poop stinks But let the dear wife stroll into the bathroom after you fumigated it and you sure hear about it. Three can keep a secret.If two are dead! Novice Posts: Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:15 am by » Sun Nov 12, 2017 6:48 am Rather than start a new thread I’m resurrecting this one.

I’m city based, so many close neighbours. I brew already, pro by trade but also at home, this is legal, so fermentation smells aren’t a concern. I would be well hidden from sight and using extractor fan, between buildings. I would be concerned about some of my neighbours minding my business instead of their own, will the smells be enough to alert them? Distiller Posts: Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2017 1:06 pm by » Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:02 pm Not unless they are very familiar with the smell already.

I can smell a whiskey mash vs a beer fermentation vs a running still. If I try. Not sure I’d notice and recognize the smell from a hobby sized still anywhere I didnt expect it. Too many other stimuli, and its not like Im gonna be walking by your house/apartment and be navigating by smell.

1. But if I came over, asked what you were doing, and you looked guilty and acted wierd then I could probably tell.
2. Bob and Sally Jones might het a wiff of something but have no idea what it was.
3. Bob and Sally probably have no idea that beer isnt distilled or that distillation is illegal for that matter.

Hide it visually and you’ll be safe olfactorily. Site Donor Posts: Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2016 3:29 pm Location: At the edge of the Wild Wood by » Tue Dec 12, 2017 3:48 pm I don’t smell a thing – unless I have a vapour leak and that is teh first thing I notice – so off goes the pot until it is fixed. However I just asked the missus – “When I’m doing a run and you stick your head through the garage door – can you smell it ? ” “yes she says – smells a bit – like booze ” So apparently you can ! Swill Maker Posts: Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 8:56 pm by » Sun Feb 11, 2018 3:57 pm My opinion: I run 2-3 25L Fermenters at a time, i can usually smell them outside my door or in the hallway, and definitely once i step in the door.

1. The aroma depends on the ferment for nuance, but generally smells like yeast, baking bread, brewing beer etc.
2. I don’t think 99% of people could pick out a wash for distilling vs a beer wash.
3. So, that smell can easily be explained as brewing beer.
4. That’s definitely my go to excuse for anyone asking questions.

As the still is running, i don’t usually detect much of a strong odor. While i’m standing next to it, maybe a small whiff of alcohol off the collection jar, but certainly nothing significant or anything to worry about. LOL. i did notice, that when i was airing my last spirit run, 27 pint jars of rum, when i walked in the door from outside i was hit by a strong liquor smell.

• Like someone smashed a bottle of booze in the house.
• Backset, is BY FAR the strongest smelling part of the whole operation.
• Usually neutral, WPOSW, BW, etc, the backset smells terrible.
• Like vomit.
• Rum from Molly has a very strong aroma, not always pleasant.
• Panella rum has a slightly less pungent aroma, i actually love the smell and taste of panella wash and backset.

Like sweet and sour. UJSM/Corn/Grain backset has a strong aroma, but fairly pleasant. So, i’ve run into the dilemma. dump the ‘Set down the bathtub. or in the street. I opted for the tub ONCE. probably won’t do that again. Dumping it gets the small aromatized up into the air, and it makes it even more prevalent.

Even after flushing with extra water the smell lingers. So, i prefer to just dump the set into a 22qt Cambro (Plastic Bucket), very carefully run it out to the street, and dump it in a sewer grate. I’d rather take a chance for 3 minutes, then have them smell linger for hours. Once it’s outside, it will be carried away by the wind, and it’s in the street or a sewer anyways, less likely to draw any attention.

If anyone asked, i’d say it was a batch of beer that went awry. However, i thought someone brought up a very very good point. I showed a picture of my pot still to a friend, and with the hosing, reservoir, etc, her reaction was “Wow, very methy”. most people don’t know anything about distilling, and don’t know anything about cooking meth(not that i do either).

So, most of us have seen breaking bad, or seen a meth lab bust on the (sensationalized) news. I guess my point is, that some nosy neighbor could mistake the funny smells and strange looking equipment, or loading in of materials for some sort of drug manufacture. So, just my 2 cents, that a nosy neighbor may not dime you out for stilling, but may mistake your gear for a different type of manufacture and bring some heat on.

Be safe, don’t SELL, don’t tell. Enjoy, have fun, and most of all. be SMART!!!! Novice Posts: Joined: Sun Feb 25, 2018 8:33 pm by » Thu Aug 02, 2018 3:14 pm The smell can get pretty loud when running sour mash but unless someone knows what it smells like they’ll just wonder what it is.

Just hope they arent overly curious or nosey. Gaztops is correct about backset, it gets FUNKY. If you have good ventilation you can greatly reduce smells by not allowing it to build in concentration and considering the explosive nature of alcohol vapor ventilation is pretty much required when the still is in operation.

: Home Distiller

Why does moonshine smell like rotten eggs?

During fermentation yeasts produce alcohol, CO2, and hundreds of other byproducts which have different smells. Some pleasant, others not so pleasant – like rotten egg or sulphur smell. This will not taint your distilled spirit and will disappear after distillation.