Mash is just like wort. Just more sugar is all. Switch hops for sugar and that's about the only difference. I use 10#'s of sugar with 5-10#'s of grain plus some bakers yeast. Champagne, wine, and other yeasts aren't any better for making a wash IMO. Have I said that I've done this before
ALL ESTIMATES HERE: I'm putting about, let's say at most $10 in a 20L wash, and I (will)get around 3-4L of 80-95% alcohol out of a wash. That's just for a neutral spirit. Rums and whisky will be a couple cents to dollars more per batch, and I'll get a little less product, but it'll be TASTY!!!!
I'm still doing mental calculations based on grocery prices where I'm at, but I figure if vodka here is $20 per 750mL(outrageous, but true
) and I can get lets say a dozen same size and proof bottles, that I pay only lets say $1 per, then I saved $228. Not too bad
I can probably get the price down even lower if I want, but it's just for fun and parties anyway!!!