1875 - The Complete Practical Distiller
This book has been reprinted
"A great opportunity to be involved in remembering our ancestors efforts in making a good quality malt whisky under primitive circumstances." J Delaney
About the Book
1875 - The Complete Practical Distiller
Second in our "American Brewing & Distilling Series" is "The Complete Practical Distiller" from M.La Fayette Byrn, M.D Graduate of the university of the city of New York.
The first edition was published in 1854, just two years after Byrn brought us "The Complete Practical Brewer."
Where "The Complete Practical Brewer" focused on brewing beer, this companion book focuses solely on distilling alcoholic beverages.
(No fuel alcohol discussions in this book.
) We have republished the 8th edition of this book, copyrighted in 1870 and printed in 1875, to which the publisher added "Practical Directions for Distilling" by Th. Flinz.
This book brings not only a good manual on distilling but also a good American perspective on distilling around the time of the Civil War.
(The first edition having been issued before the Civil War, and this edition after the Civil War.)
The following excerpt from the preface best characterizes what Byrn was attempting to deliver in this book:
"For a long time the public have been in want of a work on the art of Distillation and Rectification, couched in such language that every one could appreciate it ; and of such size and value that the price, and the time required to read it, would prove the least objectionable.
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I trust that in the following pages the reader will find every thing that the present state of science calls for, and that the suggestions may prove of great practical advantage ; which I think they will do, as every thing is given in the shortest and plainest manner."
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Distillation Processes
The text includes many discussions on the processes of distilling liquors.
The general discussions include:
- Malting for distilling
- Fermentation
- Distillation
- Rectification
It also includes discussions on distillary construction, and the equipment necessary.
Specific Processes & Recipes
One important aspect of the text is that it contains processes and period recipes for specific liquors and spirituous waters.
There are discussions about the common spirits:
- Malt whisky
Rum
Gins: Dutch Geneva, Hollands Gin, Common Gin
Brandies: French Process for Distilling Brandy, Apple Brandy, Peach Brandy
There are also discussions concerning less common spirits and sprituous waters, including:
Potato Spirtis, Arrack (spirits from rice), Irish Usquebaugh, British Molasses based spirits, etc.
Check the table of contents below to see the variety of spirits included.*
An American Perspective
One particularly interesting chapter in the book discusses the distilling equipment that was common in the United States at the time of this publication.
Byrn also discusses that the United States "abounds in many fruits, roots, and vegetables that will yield spirit upon distillation."
He includes specific discussions on making Cider-Spirts/Apple Brandy, and Peach Brandy in the United States.
Interestingly enough, Byrn makes no mention of the term "Bourbon" in the text, but does mention that Indian corn can be used in malt whisky.
The Complete Practical Distiller leads to the making of Nirranda Whiskey
Though an American Distilling book, at least one copy found its way to Western Victoria, Australia! Reportedly, in the late 1800s, Tom Delaney used "The Complete Practical Distiller" to make his near legendary Nirranda Whiskey! Editor's note:It must be added that a number of people were involved in this process but it seems highly probable that Tom was the "ringleader".
Table of Contents
A detailed table including (but not comprehensive); - Description of a distillery
- Mode of working apparatus
- Process of malting
- Fermentation
- Rectification
- Spirit of potatoes
- Distillation of Common Gin
- Stills used for common waters
- Remarks on an Instrument intended for testing wines
Book Details
The book, like "The Complete Practical Brewer", is a green hard cover bound in bonded leather with gold foil stamping on the spine and front cover. It is 220 pages and printed on 60lb. natural offset paper.
How to Order- Notes from the publisher
Order here from Raudins Publishing
Price $US 29.95February 2003, the book has finally arrived in Australia possibly via a slow boat.
Save when buying the set: If you would like to pre-order "The Complete Practical Distiller" and buy "The Complete Practical Brewer" as a set, we offer a discounted set price of $50.00 (Note: They will ship together when "The Complete Practical Distiller" arrives from the printer.)
Purchasing with a credit card: Raudins accept credit cards via PayPal.
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