Potato vodka

[HeyWayne]

Mods, not sure if this is in the right place, but happy to be moved if deemed necessary.

I have a sack of potatoes that have "gone over" and it seems a shame to throw them away.

I got to thinking that I could make vodka from them, but as is always my head runs away with itself.

My question to you knowledgable grapes - is it a simple process, and could a luddite like me tackle it?

[binley100]

Isn't that another name for potcheen or do you mean make it like raspberry vodka......

* after a quick google it looks like you have to distill it ..........don't think thats strictly allowed tbh.....

[HeyWayne]

I only ask the question because I saw a programme (it may have been James May and Oz Clarke) that showed how Tyrells (the people what do make lovely crisps) changed the way that they dealt with their "substandard" potatoes - the ones that didn't make the grade to become a lush crisp.

They used to pass them on to be used for animal feed, but then decided to make vodka from them, hence you can buy Tyrells Vodka it t'shops now.

My needs are on a much smaller scale, and I don't make crisps but pricipal's the same.

[Two_Sheds]

there's potato wine, which is legal to make. If you think you'd like to have a go, I'll type out the full recipe

[Seahorse]

Home distilling of alcohol is illegal in the UK.

I think it can be quite tricky to get right anyway and 'bad' spirits really can be very dangerous. Probably better to find another use for your spare spuds HW

[smallblueplanet]

Home distilling of alcohol is illegal in the UK.

I think it can be quite tricky to get right anyway and 'bad' spirits really can be very dangerous. Probably better to find another use for your spare spuds HW

Home distilling also means the Govt miss out on all that lovely duty & tax! I can't understand why half of Europe isn't dead already from 'bad' spirits (no offense meant Seahorse)...? Had some fab honeyed raki on Crete once, that would have stripped paint & tasted great!

[Flummery]

Another way of 'concentrating' the alcohol, apart from distillation, is freezing. If you remember your O level chemistry (or modern equivalent) the water solidifies leaving the alcohol concentrated in the liquid below. Still illegal, mind, because they can't get their hands on the duty! This is how they make Applejack from fermented apples, left in a container in the snow.

[HeyWayne]

So how does "home brew" fit into all this illegal activity?

Any ideas on what else to do with a sack of no good spuds?

[Two_Sheds]

It's distilling that's illegal, not brewing

I can post you a recipe for Potato Wine if you fancy it?

[Nicos]

I'd like to see it please 2sheds!!

[HeyWayne]

It's distilling that's illegal, not brewing

I can post you a recipe for Potato Wine if you fancy it?

Sounds like I might be able to give that a go! (kit permitting of course)

[debbie henri]

Yes, it's pocheen. Yes, it's illegal. My uncle used to make it, his distillery kept secret in his garage. It was reckoned that he distilled the best and purest pocheen east of London.

I should point out that he died fairly young...

[Two_Sheds]

I'd like to see it please 2sheds!!

Sounds like I might be able to give that a go!

Sorry guys, this has only just today showed up in my "new posts"


Potato Wine
(sweet)

6lb old spuds, clean but unpeeled: then thinly sliced
2.5 - 3 lb sugar dissolved in boiling water
1 tsp citric acid, yeast nutrient, amylozyme, & pectolase
1 cup strong cold tea
yeast for white wine

Boil spuds in unsalted water, 20 mins until softish (but not like mash)
Strain liquid into DJ, add sugar solution
Top up with cool boiled water to the shoulder of DJ
Add everything else when cooled to 20c or less

Leave to clear, rack and ferment to dry as usual

This wine takes 18-24 months to mature (improves greatly with keeping)

Recipe from: Amazon.com: Step by Step Homemade Wine (0712889031364): Judith Irwin, Roy Ekins: Books

[andyturner1978]

Ill def be giving this a go, thanks TS .

18 months plus is a long time to wait mind, are there any other wines that can be made quicker? I understand it gets better with age, i brew my own beer and stout but i have never tried wine. I picked up a few DJ from wilkos and am keen to have a go.

[Two_Sheds]

are there any other wines that can be made quicker?

Yes there are, do a search for Shirl's Fruit Teabag Wine