Adding spices to Applejack

[zman]

Since making Applejack is no longer considered distilling by the TTB, has anyone who made it ever added spices to their batches? I have a batch that I think is a tad bitter for apfelwine. It could be the fact that I used Cotes De Blanc instead of Montrchet or it could be because I use #2 dextrose to 4.5 gallons of apple juice. I have some Cinnamon sticks that I plan on adding but want to try some other ideas as well
TIA
Zman

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdTiIZwq8v0]Basic Brewing Video - Apple Jack - February 26, 2011 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[zman]

I went with Cinnamon sticks

 

[Pickled_Pepper]

I've never made apple jack so I thought I would ask about your process. How do you freeze 4.5 gallons? Do you rack it off into gallon jugs and freeze individually?

 

[zman]

I've never made apple jack so I thought I would ask about your process. How do you freeze 4.5 gallons? Do you rack it off into gallon jugs and freeze individually?

I racked into 5 1 gal milk jugs and froze it in the chests freezer. After it froze I inverted it in my brewing funnel into a pitcher. I then transferred it to growlers

 

[HappyWino]

I racked into 5 1 gal milk jugs and froze it in the chests freezer. After it froze I inverted it in my brewing funnel into a pitcher. I then transferred it to growlers

I've thought about doing this but the concentrating of the undesirable alcohols etc. has me a little nervous, how are the hangovers?

Cheers

HW

 

[zman]

I've thought about doing this but the concentrating of the undesirable alcohols etc. has me a little nervous, how are the hangovers?

Cheers

HW

I do not drink enough of it to get hang overs, but it is pretty tasty. Ever had Eisboc?

 

[HappyWino]

Ever had Eisboc?

No, just Eiswein, but that's a whole different process.

I have a gallon I could try this with...do I need to age it until it is drinkable or does it turn out fine from green cider?

Cheers

HW

 

[MarkKF]

about how much jack can u expect to get out of 5 gallons of cider?

 

[zmad2000]

I am in the process of making a 1 gal batch of cider that will be turned into apple jack. From what i have read and hear on other forums. Your returns keep on diminishing depending on how concentrated you want to make it and how strong it is to start.

 

[zman]

No, just Eiswein, but that's a whole different process.

I have a gallon I could try this with...do I need to age it until it is drinkable or does it turn out fine from green cider?

Cheers

HW

I think it really benefits from aging. SWMBO's opinion differs I think next time I am stop at 1.020 or so and see if it makes a difference in the sweetness. I added t cinnamon sticks to one of the bottles and I like how it tastes

 

[zman]

about how much jack can u expect to get out of 5 gallons of cider?

roughly 2-2.25 gallons

 

[zman]

I am in the process of making a 1 gal batch of cider that will be turned into apple jack. From what i have read and hear on other forums. Your returns keep on diminishing depending on how concentrated you want to make it and how strong it is to start.

I think there is some truth to that. For the nerxt batch I want to stop fermentation @ 1.020, cut down on the amount of Corn Sugar added to see if I get more sweetness. A friend of mine and a fellow brewer suggested back sweetening with lactose or some kind of sweetener.