Do I Charcoal Filter My Spirits?

Do I think filtering is worth it? Here are my thoughts.

Tennessee whiskey is famous for its charcoal filtering. Rumour has it that filtering can help smooth a rough spirit. So why do I NOT do it?

I'm happy to do a little test in the name of science though. Let me know what you think I should do in the comments.

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Just in case you didn’t realize I often include affiliate links in my videos and descriptions.
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[fourdeadinohio]

yep. i'll filter a sugar wash but not a grain mash. i like all the "funkies" that go with it.

[BeardedBored]

I filtered a tails-heavy rum once, but haven't ever done it again. Used a Brita, hahaha! It smoothed it out enough to trick me into drinking a few ounces. The hangover was *not* worth it. I think it's better to practice getting the blend right so it tastes right on day one. Like Jesse said, as much flavor as you can get without it going harsh and jaggy. I wont try to "fix" a bad spirit again. The good thing is, that if you screw up, you can just run it again and try to be more cautious with the blending.

[ptgrfep]

Wooh! I asked for a video on charcoal filtering a little over a week ago and you did it! Thanks heaps!

[mcsmith]

As a new boy to this, I was under the impression that filtering spirit was a must, but now I've seen this I would like you to taste a filtered sugar wash vodka vs unfiltered.

[rocketsroc]

Not all activated carbon is suitable for spirit filtering. The best type is the Stone, sometimes called "Coal" type. It is actually made from bituminous coal. It is best because it has very fine pores/crevices which are what is needed to remove the typical bad taste/smell molecules found in spirits. Activated Coconut charcoal is also good but has larger pores. The two types can be blended together for a very good filtering medium. Additionally, the filter column needs to have at least a 1.25" inside diameter and be a minimum of two feet long. Smaller diameter columns will cause the spirits to run down the sides avoiding the filter bed. This is called the "Wall Effect". Before filtering, the charcoal must be rinsed with hot water till all dust is removed. When filtering spirits, first rinse the charcoal in the column with water and allow to drain, but not become dry. Filter through this damp charcoal with your spirits. The alcohol will force the water downward and out of the column first followed by the filtered alcohol. Keep doing finger tastes as the column drains. You will taste water for a while followed by an alcohol taste. When you taste the alcohol, you can begin to capture your spirits without the water. A good source for activated coal charcoal is: carbonbulksales.com

[adamw]

I'd like to note, so people don't make the mistake, that filtering with activated carbon/charcoal isn't the same as the lincoln county process that is used on Tennessee (amongst other) whiskys.

The LCP doesn't use an activated carbon/charcoal, just plain charcoal, like the charred surface of an barrel/cask. An activated carbon/charcoal is going to remove a lot more flavours, and not introduce any flavours or colour, whereas the LCP process will remove some flavours, introduce other flavours similar to a barrel/cask, it will also usually give the alcohol a very light tint/colour. Depending on how long you soak, or how many times you pour through it.

[ZedZerps]

I'm a Tennessee man. Jack Daniel's is my favorite. But I just found your channel and a new hobby.

[Ansis]

Hi! Filter "fishy mango". In fact, that will make your "fish" gone! Filter that 2 times. 👍

[steffenbrygg]

After some reading I figured that filtering the low wines was the best solution for me. Reason one was that you need to dilute the spirit down for filtering to work and if you want to chase with water at the end its gonna be even lower proof. I also read about how filtering speed up ethanol oxidation making some acetaldehyde which gives a faint green apple taste, which a reflux run is able to remove. Anyway, if you want to try make super smooth vodka it might be something to try out. There is also the thing about adding Sodium Carbonate to break up some of the ethyl acetate into ethanol and acetic acid that binds with the sodium or something to prevent it from getting into the final product (sodium acetate I think). So with my 30L boiler I strip 3 batches and filter it. second run is a reflux but I add sodium carbnate and try to bleed of as much head I have patience for, then let it go semi fast until it reach what tail is left. Rinse the equipment, dilute back to 35% and do a final reflux run to bring it up to 95+%

For vodka but whiskey I think filtering whiskey is to "fix" fast and dirty mass production whiskey.

[zaneoblaneo]

I want to see a blind test of FFV filtered vs unfiltered, and then a blind test of both used in an infusion after filtering.

See whether the filtered or unfiltered product accents whatever you're making the infusion with better.

[joshhayward]

So did you end up doing the filtration video? Just had a look but couldn't find it. Love your work by the way.

[dlumbers]

Having only a pot still at the moment, I’ve found filtering the sugar wash a couple of times just in a Britta makes a huge difference for a vodka like substitute. A reflux would make all the difference in the world.

[louiswillemse]

Awesome yet again! As someone VERY new to the hobby I have to admid that I havent even though about filtering spirits. I would also very much rather try to capitalize on the flavors derived from the ingredients and process. My hobby will be standing still for the foreseeable future as I am migrating from SA to the UK on the 18th.

[joedennehy]

Just getting into this, going to get a t500 thanks to you. The charcoal filter they reccomended seemed pretty dear at 11 bucks per couple of litres. I thought of just using my own charcoal, but you've helped. Thanks

[joestep]

Love your videos! I'm new to this, kind of fact finding before I build my still. That said, as a whiskey drinker, I persue smoothness in a whiskey and that will probably be my personal criteria when I finally get my still built. So, in your filtering test, I would like to see you use one of your bold whiskeys and see if the perceived smoothness is significantly enhanced by the filtering. Maybe have someone who prefers smoother whiskeys give it a taste too?

[shadow]

Vodka. But brother slow down I don't want you to burn out! Don't get me wrong I love the content!

[keithyinger]

Its wild blackberry season here in the Pacific NW, USA. I'm going to have a lot of berries left over after making jelly it looks like. Thinking maybe i should find a nice blackberry brandy recipe and try this year.

[spikelove]

I haven't watched the video, but my opinion is I try to make Whiskey that tastes good out of the still, I one 100% agree there is nothing wrong with filtering if you like it filtered go for it there is no wrong way its totally prefrence. One of the great things about our hobby is you get to make things the way you like. I concentrate alot on brewing IMO a good mash/Wash made with quality ingredients and love will make good Whiskey once distilled

[Tyresio]

Filter the vodka made of sugar wash, it'll help remove "the spirit of the sugar beet" (of course if your sugar is made of sugar beets). Filtering a good grain vodka would be a waste i think.

[brianwhite]

Thank you for this video. I have been wondering about this and if I should filter. Since you saved me a lot of money I have enough to buy a Still it shirt and challenge coin.