Today was my first day working second shift in the distillery. Last week, for the majority of it I ran the still myself, spent some time in the brewhaus learning more about mashing, lautering/sparging, etc. I did a LOT of cleaning of the various bright tanks, fermentation tanks, whirlpools, etc. It was at times fun and other times not exciting at all. Caustic is now my friend—not really.

This week I've done a bunch of the barreling, stripping runs, cleaning, etc. and even spent some time learning the tax process. There's still a lot to learn there. It's the govt. after-all and things have to be complicated and convoluted.... It's like rule # 540.68-D that states: "If the govt. is going to do something, anything, it must be made difficult in order to create value for our work. If it's difficult it must be important therefore those who do and enforce said such policies must also be important." Or something like that.

You cannot believe how much YOU and I pay in taxes for spirits....It's no wonder they don't want people producing their own!!!

Anyway, this week was my first second shift. Not terribly exciting. Got a tank CIP'd (cleaned), Got 11 barrels down with the Bourbon we finished running yesterday, cleaned the whirlpool that we proofed in, got the barrels stacked and out of the way, cleaned up some totes, and things like that. Doing the final rinse on the still right now then I'll clean up the little odds and ends, lock up and head out. 

If you've helped during this process to support my family during this time I cannot thank you enough. There's been a lot of people who have given offline as well and that's why the amount has continued to change.

All I can say is thank you!

Sincerely,
Sean

Distillers Apprentice :)