Recent content by foxyrand

So I'll resurrect this thread with a 3 year update (to the day!) I have been pulling some of the splits off at 6-9 month intervals, has really been improving with age. It's now 3-ish years since I bottled and last night I had the first one that tasted really good. Unfortunately I lost any notes...

I didn't end up dumping the kit, and that was definitely the right choice. According to my notes, the smell was gone when I racked it a second time a couple months ago. I haven't touched it for a while, things have gotten busy lately. But it seems like it came through OK. Once I get it...

Thanks for the votes of support. I'll continue on and hope for the best. Had planned to age for a while anyway so no loss there.

Bananaman Well, this may be my first dumper. Distinct odors of banana today. After looking around a bit, it sounds like carbonic maceration. I believe my problems stem primarily from a weak yeast inoculation. Also, lack of oxygen in the fermenter. I stirred it up 3 times daily, but I...

Yep, the yeast took off after about 24 hours or so. Now we're at 48+ and it's doing well. Stirring up 3 times a day. Temperature still just about 69 degrees (house is at 68).

heather - I decided on going with one of the supplied oak dust packets and one packet of chips (in place of the second pack of dust) in the primary. nosnob - I hemmed and hawed about it for a good amount of time. Hearing all the amazing reviews, I still wonder if I should have just let it...

Well, the SG never did get above 1.100. Using FermCalc (thank you Steve Gross! That is a very slickly designed program!) I calculated and added around 2 cups of sugar to raise to 1.105, so I could get a slightly higher ABV at the end. Moving on to the BDX yeast, this is the first time...

sour_grapes, I think you may be right. I did stir it up a good bit, but it probably didn't get completely mixed. It's been about 3-4 hours and I've stirred a few more times and it's come up to about 1.1 or so. I've just been reading the hydrometer out of the bucket, following what I've seen...

Just starting my batch today. This kit is in the new packaging. Date code 4260, so 9/17/14. For those keeping score, the juice bag is about 15L, as I measured it in my fermenter. The grape pack is 2.6L as stated on the bag. No raisins. Two packets oak dust. EC-1118 yeast. Bentonite...

Will, you know, I've never really looked into making dragon's blood. Not exactly sure why.. After reading your post I looked through the recipe and I bet my wife would be crazy about it. I think I'll have to make a batch shortly. Do you buy your supplies in town here? I've used both Main...

This GSM was my third wine kit and I have been impressed. It doesn't have a lot of body, but it is smooth. It was the first kit I used my AIO pump to degas. That made a big difference. I bulked aged for 6 months or so. Also, due to some changes in my life (kids, a house) I've barely touched...

Thanks for the welcome, everyone. I probably will never do quite the volume as you have, bkisel, but I would like to average about 3-4 batches per year, that seems to be about what I drink and gift. I've had two kids in the years since starting my first batch, so that takes up a lot of my...

I've got this kit on deck, hoping to start in a week or two ehammonds & bkisel - Are your kits from the new stock with the new graphics on the box? Mine is, and I opened it last week and it doesn't have a raisin pack, only a 2.6L grape pack.. Also what yeast did you use? Mine has EC-1118...

I've been lurking around for a while and decided to finally register and post. Got into the hobby in 2011 as a Christmas present from my wife. Have only done 3 kits so far, with one underway (WE Selection Gewurzt) and one on deck (CC Showcase Amarone). Have used this forum for a lot of...