Distilling >> Ingredients

Yeasts
We are agents and distributors for the famous original Turbo Yeats for both 6Kg and 8Kg, and the 24 and 48 hour super yeasts. Hauraki Brewing manufacturs Super Brew specifically formulated for fine spirit.

      


Alcotec - Extreme Alcohol Technology
Alcotec is the world’s leader in extreme fermentation technology of the home user. You can check out their home page at  www.turbo-yeast.biz

From extreme speed – 24 hour complete fermentation – to extreme alcohol over 20%. There is an Alcotec Turbo Yeast for every job click here for more information >>

Carbons

Carbon
To understand the use of activated carbon in its filter units it is important that there is some understanding of how carbon actually works.

The 'activity' of carbon occurs bacause of the macro, meso and mirco pores on the surface and within the carbon granules. In reacting with flavour, colour and aroma there is a bonding between the pore and the chemical molecule. Some molecules are extremely small needing a mircopore to bond and fix it. However colour molecules and some organic oils are large and can be absorbed by macro pores. hence coconut based activated carbon is not suitable for spirit  as it is entirely micro pored or lignite which is meso pored. Activation creates a specific range of pore sizes tailored to the end use.

The following drawings show the major differnce between charcoal and activated carbon.

Butane.......................................20g/100g carbon
Iodine.....................................1000g/100g carbon
Molasses..........................................................350

We produce a range of specially selected and blended activated carbons for use in both pot and reflux distilled spirit. The high activity rate means that 10g will completely treat one litre.

    

Each Carbon type is available in packs sized to treat 6 litres, 40 litres and 400 litres.

Carbon Filter Units

We manufacture the world best units. The all stainless steel vertaflow unit is modelled on those used in commercial distilleries. It's unique counterflow action matched with special carbon, treats and conditions fresh spirit in one pass.
Carbon cups offer great performance than other plastic units. After treating 6 - 10 litres just throw the cup away. They are also ideal to mount directly under the condenser and treat your spirit as it is produced.

Introduction
The patented vertaflow filter has been designed with the assistance of Norit, Europe’s largest producer of food grade activated carbons.
Norits scientific investigations have allowed us to produce a unique filter system that is matched to special new carbons allowing spirit treatment and finishing to be combined. Sections of Norit reports are here to provide factual information on activated carbon and its use.

Full designs details of the Vertaflow stainless Steel and filter unit are given so that its operation is clearly understood. This unit is manufactured in New Zealand from 304 stainless steel, machined nylon and especially molded nitric rubber fittings. The Vertaflow is now exported worldwide and we provide a lifetime guarantee.

Filter Design
In all standard column filters, air pockets occur and severely reduce the volume of carbon available to treat spirit. Spirit tracking through ‘veins’ within the carbon bed further reduce the carbon/split contact face and is unavailable in top field filter columns.
By reversing the system to a bottom fed unit, the problem of air pockets is eliminated as the spirit runs up through the carbon bed, saturating the individual carbon pores and filling all of the spaces between the granules, thus expelling all of the air. The design of the nitrile rubber inlet plug and the stainless steel dispersal grills fitted above it, distributes incoming spirit across the full diameter of the column and thus eliminates any tracking.
Flow rate control is crucial to allow sufficient contact time between the spirit and the activated carbon. The flow rate in carbon filters is expresses as the number of carbon volumes filtered each hour, i.e 1 litre of carbon treating 1 litre of spirit per hour has a value (HSV) of 1. Good quality spirit should be processes as HSV between 1 and 5. (5 being for extra pure spirit from reflux systems). The Vertaflow unit uses fixed flow rate filter papers to ensure that the HSV value remains around 3.5. This equals 1 litre per hour.
Each Vertaflow filter unit comes with replacement filter papers and a twin pack carbon sufficient for 12 litres of spirit. Replacement filters and Vertaflow carbon is available only from Vertaflow Stockists.

Click here to download a copy of the instructions

Oaks


Authentic Oak Bourbon, Whisky and Rum Barrel chips from the distillery.
For the perfect finish.

Spirit Refiners


Refiners are a range of products that assist in producing better spirit by reducing off flavours, adding smoothness and boosting taste.

Pre Distillation


The twin pack Turbo Clear clarifies fermented wash prior to distillation removing yeast and sediment. This results in a clearer distillation

[picture of Turbo Clear packet ex Longley Print]

Spirit Treatment


After carbon purification fresh spirit can have a raw sharp taste. Refiners in both liquid and powder form soften this sharpness and improve mouth feel.

Liqueur Base/Liqueur Thickner	A liquid syruo that sweetens and smooths all liquids. Avaliable in 400ml and 1200ml sizes.
Liqueur Mate	A constantly discovering powder form of Liqueur base
Aging Syrup	A bland syrup that improves mouthful and provides instant ageing
Spirit Mate	An instantly dissolving powder form of ageing syrup

Flavour Enhancers


Boost flavour profiles and spirit character

Gin Mix	A blend of fresh corriander and juniper berries for excellent gin.
Spirit Caramel	A clear dark liquid for colouring spirit
V2 Booster	Add a hot peppery taste to bland spirit
Liquid Oak	Give instant aging to whiskies and rums. see also barrel oak

Turbo - Super yeast

If you have used the fantastic AT 24 you’ll know how fast it is, how high the yield is and how clean the alcohol is. Now ferment 8kg of sugar up to 20% Alcohol in just five days with temperature tolerant AT 48.

Carbon Cups come prefilled with either Reflux or CR (for Pot Stills) carbons. Normal raw spirit and needs no pre-treatment or dilution. After use just throw the cartridge away.

The Carbon Cup will run efficiently in either a funnel or a 400ml plastic jar fitted with an overflow hole or v. Your retailer can show you a sample. They are easy and cheap to make. If you use an overflow hole, sith the whole unit in a funnel. Carbon Cups can be used during distilling by sitting the unit directly under the outlet of the still. This unique system will purify the spirit as it is made.

 

•  Remove the Carbon Cup from its bag just prior to use (always keep unused cups
  sealed in their bags).
• Place the cup in a bowl and cover with raw spirit. Allow to soak for five minutes.
• Sit the presoaked cup in either a jar or funnel and immediately fill the cup
  reservoir with spirit. Adjust spirit feed to ensure it remains full.
  If the cup runs dry, resoak the unit and start again.

• Continue to maintain the head of spirit in the reservoir unit. Spirit drips from the base.
• This spirit (about 100ml) may contain some fine carbon and should be decanted off. Add this at the end of your filter cycle.
• Clear refined spirit will now be produced.

NB a) The flow rate is fixed to ensure complete treatment. Once six litres of spirit have been treated replace the cartridge.

b) If you are running the Carbon Cup directly under your condensor outlet, the 400ml overflow system is best as the cup will not run dry.

c) If the raw spirit has high levels of flavour or odour we recommend treating it with Spirits Unlimited Treatment Carbon (10g/l) for 48 hours. This applies especially to the final 25% of the distillation. This spirit should be kept separate from the first 75%.

Click here to download a PDF document about Carbon Cups.

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