How to make Brandy in the T500
- Configure the T500 in the pot still arrangement - This means the water out will flow directly from the top of the condenser straight to the sink (bypassing the reflux coil). The saddles inside the column should also be removed.
Stripping Run
- Add the wine into the boiler and top up with water to the max line
- Add 3 to 5 capfuls of Still Spirits Distilling Conditioner
- Attach the lid and column
- Turn the power on
- After 30 minutes, start the cooling water. A flowrate of >2.5L/min will be required
- Collect all the alcohol until the ABV coming out drops to approx 30% ABV
Spirit Run
- Add the distillate from the stripping run back into the boiler and top up to the Max line with water
- Attach the lid and column
- Turn power on
- After 30 minutes, start the cooling water. A flowrate of >2.5L/min will be required
- Collect the distillate in fractions. Discard the first 100 - 200 ml of distillate and then collect the first 400 ml in 4 x 100 ml fractions (heads).
- After this, collect all the alcohol until the ABV coming out drops to 40% (hearts).
- Then collect 4 x 100 ml again (tails)
- Mix fractions based on taste
The above is only a guideline. If you want to make the highest quality brandy possible we recommended using the Alembic Pot Still (copper dome, alembic condensor and T500 boiler) as the fractions can be separated much better using that system.
See the Alembic Pot Still instructions to help you.