How to make a Rum the Easy Way with Rum El Gusto Yeast and Nutrient!

How to make a Rum the Easy Way with Rum El Gusto Yeast and Nutrient!

Dermott Dowling

Here we share "How to"... make 1000L of Rum wash using Rum El Gusto Yeast and Rum Nutrient.

The modern sugar making process is extremely efficient and the resulting molasses is often high in ash, inhibitory organic acids and burnt type flavors. Molasses can vary widely in quality and is often too harsh for most yeasts to ferment especially black strap.

This is an easy fermenting recipe producing a broad range of esters while targeting an ABV of 9% v/v.

El Gusto Rum Recipe:

  1. In a 1000L Fermenter add 500L hot water (60oC) and 90 Kg of Manufacturers White Sugar or light brown sugar and dissolve. Once dissolved add 130 Kg of Refinery Grade or Black Strap Molasses and dissolve – top up with water to the 1000 L mark. Sugars from Molasses and refined sugar are in roughly a 40:60 ratio.
  2. Let the mixture cool to under 35oC and add 1.5kg of Rum Nutrient and dissolve DO NOT BOIL THIS NUTRIENT.
  3. Using a clean bucket rehydrate the Rum El Gusto Yeast by adding 500g yeast to 5L of warm water (35oc) and leave to rehydrate for 20 mins. Pitch the rehydrated yeast mixture into the fermenter.
  4. Set the temp controller for 30-33oC. For best results do not exceed 35oC during fermentation.
  5. Take gravity or % Brix readings every 24 hours, fermentation should be complete in 72 hours or 3 days.  Do not be afraid to leave it a little longer and check for consistent low gravity readings to be sure the fermentation has finished.
  6. For best results Distil Safely using a copper pot still or a still with plenty of copper contact with the vapour phase.  Most distillers will do a complete first pass (stripping run) and then do another run where they take heads, hearts and tails cuts before blending and barreling.

Rehydration of Rum El Gusto Yeast:

In a clean container or bucket, Sprinkle Rum El Gusto Yeast on 10 times it’s own weight in water heated to 35oC. Leave to soak for 20 mins, then stir until the yeast is fully dissolved. Add immediately to the fermentation.

NOTE:

Rum Nutrient will still work when using 100% Refinery or Black Strap Molasses however, the variability of this substrate can be a problem and cause stuck ferments. Check out our Rum Nutrient Ready Reckoner below if varying the recipe above.

Rum Nutrient Ready Reckoner:

*Remaining sugars from refined sugars

How to Use:

  1. Calculate your target final ethanol in the rum wash.
  2. Determine the amount of fermentable sugars needed to reach that target.
  3. Identify the percentage of fermentable sugars from molasses (based on the certificate of analysis for that batch) and from refined sugars.
  4. Use your target % ABV and % refined sugars to input into the "Rum Ready Reckoner" to find the dosage rate of Rum Nutrient or Seltzer Pure N1 Nutrient.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you would like any technical support and further guidance. We love to hear your feedback on how you go with our products - drop us a line anytime to feedback@beerco.com.au

cheers #fermenthappy #distilsafely #enjoyresponsibly always

Technial Support:

Mobile: +61 490 501 392
Email: Service@BeerCo.com.au

Further Reading and Learning Resources on Rum: