1868 The complete Practical Distiller

THE COMPLETE PRACTICAL DISTILLER.

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ftion to the other as the price will bear, or will answer the intentions, by such composition or mixture. If by putting proof and weak goods together, the co- lour or face of the goods be spoiled, which before their being mixed together were fine, as it frequently happens, they must be cleaned or fined, as when newly distilled. Some persons throw in about a pound of alabaster pow- der into their mixed goods, to stop up the porous parts of the flannel sleeve, which fines them immediately. To recover any goods to a better body or strength, when too low or weak, or fine cordial waters, a proper quantity must be put, by little and little at a time, of spirits of wine to the goods, mixing or stirring them well together. They may be perfectly restored to the desired proof with little or no loss, because the spirits of wine stand at about the same price with the cordials, and cost less than some of the brandies. If, by chance or acci- dent, any goods happen to be spoiled in their complexion, especially genevas, which may be turned as black as ink even by an iron nail dropping into the cask, they must be distilled over again, by putting in half the quantity of the ingredients as usual ; and they will come perfectly fine as rock-water from the still, and must be dulcified ac- cording, just as they were at their first being made. But the goods, notwithstanding the misfortune they met with, will be much better than they were before ; for by every distillation they are weakened near 1 in 20, though im- proved in goodness, as before observed. Distillers, when drawing off and making up their dis- tilled goods, should be often trying them in a glass or phial ; and when the bead or proof immediately falls