Blunderbuss Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 Picked, pricked and bottled 3 jars of sloe gin and 1 of blackberry vodka today. I left it 2 weeks later than last year but I really fancied sticking it out to the first frost, to see if it really does make a difference, but my bottle went . Trouble is there's a great crop here again this year but they are splitting as they are so ripe and a few are going all "raisiny" and I'm worried they'll be nowt left when the frost eventually comes. I reckon winters are milder and frosts are later than they used to be so as long as they are proper ripe, I should be OK. I tried sticking one batch in the freezer last year to see if it made a difference, but I couldn't taste any. I'm sat here with a big glass of last year's, which tastes bloody brilliant, so I should be OK Anyone else wait for the frosts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dick darstardly Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 Picked, pricked and bottled 3 jars of sloe gin and 1 of blackberry vodka today. I left it 2 weeks later than last year but I really fancied sticking it out to the first frost, to see if it really does make a difference, but my bottle went . Trouble is there's a great crop here again this year but they are splitting as they are so ripe and a few are going all "raisiny" and I'm worried they'll be nowt left when the frost eventually comes. I reckon winters are milder and frosts are later than they used to be so as long as they are proper ripe, I should be OK. I tried sticking one batch in the freezer last year to see if it made a difference, but I couldn't taste any. I'm sat here with a big glass of last year's, which tastes bloody brilliant, so I should be OK Anyone else wait for the frosts? i was considering waiting till the frost but reading this my throat has is yearning for the taste, last years batch was lovely and i picked them mid october so think i shant wait and fill my boots tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 I picked mine on Thursday before any signs of frost as they seem to be bulging at the minute but a few are starting to wither, didn't want to wait any longer. Mixed up 3 litres today, gonna go out and get another few lb tomorrow and do some more! Only got half a bottle of the 6 litres I made last year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted October 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 they seem to be bulging at the minute but a few are starting to wither, didn't want to wait any longer. My thoughts exactly! Only did 3 litres, but I have got a quite a few sloes left Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 I picked 2 kilos yesterday, thought it was time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveK Posted October 9, 2010 Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 Forget the frost. Just freeze them overnight and thaw them out. Does the same job. Will be picking mine over the next few days. Got a bramble vodka on the go at the moment and loads of brambles left in the freezer for whisky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted October 13, 2010 Report Share Posted October 13, 2010 Went out for another 2.5KG last night Gin is costing me a fortune!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 Im in the processm of making one litre of sloe gin Never done it before- so here's hoping Les :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 (edited) I did three bottles a few days ago. I stuck the sloes in the freezer prior to bottling, as per Gobfish's reccomendation. Did one bottle with White sugar and sloes, another with a cinnamon stick and the third with demerara sugar Yum Edited November 2, 2010 by Billy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 I added a cinamon stick too- give it that festive taste ( well heres hoping it does lol) Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 I have some sloe potcheen on the go. Can't wait to try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 This is one hellavu site! I have some sloe potcheen on the go. Can't wait to try it. Hmmm Potatoes and Sloe now theres a combination Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soreshoulder Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 what exactly does the freezing do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 what exactly does the freezing do? Not sure if that works to be honest- Its said Sloes are best picked after the 1st frost- so freezing replicates the frost I guess Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 (edited) what exactly does the freezing do? Yeah, apparently it works like a frost. I was expecting the berries to be split when I took them out and they weren't. Once dropped into the gin when frozen they split, thus backing up Gobfish's idea that you don't need to p r i c k them if you freeze. (P r i c k isn't allowed ) I'll take some pics soon. I think we should all share our efforts Edited November 2, 2010 by Billy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 A cinnamon stick works well, I have a gallon of 3 year old in my garage at the moment. Other combinations are vanilla pods or almonds. I reckon demerera sugar could also be a winner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamp Beast Posted November 2, 2010 Report Share Posted November 2, 2010 we had our 1st frost 6weeks ago- mines is well on its way! Happy drinking-cannae beat it on a cold days shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLAZE33 Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Picked mine a few weeks ago as they were falling from the branches, some bushes were already shrivelled and berry-less. Did mine last year with Honey.... same again this time . One bottle i`m gonna put cloves and cinnamon in for that mulled wine effect.....bloomin marvelous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Savage Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Picked mine a few weeks ago as they were falling from the branches, some bushes were already shrivelled and berry-less. Did mine last year with Honey.... same again this time . One bottle i`m gonna put cloves and cinnamon in for that mulled wine effect.....bloomin marvelous mine is on - over a kilo of sloes (frozen freezer style), 2 wine goblets of sugar 5 cloves and 3 ltrs of gin in a demi john....roll on boxing day for the first trials.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Its just so temping to try some- I have to really try hard not to Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 Its just so temping to try some- I have to really try hard not to Les I have tried all 3 varieties of mine already very nice they are too, can't wait until Christmas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 I have tried all 3 varieties of mine already very nice they are too, can't wait until Christmas! NO will power fella- Im not at the bottling stage yet- still have the sloes covered and in a warm place still its tempting, every time I shake the mixture Im leaving mine till Christmas at leat Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 I didn't start mine until last weekend, so it will not be ready for Xmas IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lez325 Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 They recommend 2-3 months- mine was started a week ago- hoping it will be ready for Christmas, if not then new years eve lol Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 2-3 months is no where near long enough. 6 months easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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