So excited to find your channel. I started making my own vanilla about a year and a half ago and am realizing that I did a lot of things wrong. Most of the websites said that the cheapest vodka was fine to use. Even after talking to the liquor sales people, I walked out of there with a bottle of Aristocrat. And yes, I'm finding that my vanilla is not strong in vanilla flavor and still quite boozy (waited about 6 months). I have also been topping it off occasionally (again, read that adding a little fresh vodka at a time was ok). Is my vanilla salvageable (can I add more beans and just leave it alone for a little more time)? I will definitely start a new batch with one of the vodkas you recommended. I was also given leftover SKYY vodka from a wedding - would that one also be safe to use? Thanks for doing these videos!
Glad we can help! YES, your vanilla is still salvageable. Don't throw it out. If you began with 1oz of vanilla beans for every 8oz of alcohol, and if your vodka was at least 35% alcohol, then you may just need to wait a little longer. It often takes a full year. To be sure, you may want to add another 1/2oz of vanilla beans for every 1oz of vodka that you are using. There should be no need to top off the alcohol if it is being stored in an air tight container. Store it in a cool/dark place. Enjoy the journey! :)
I just started my vanilla extract journey and I think I made a mistake and was wondering if you could give me some advice. I started some 4oz jars about a month ago to use as gifts for Christmas. Not knowing anything about alcohol (before watching your UA-cam Videos...thank you!), I used a cheapo brand called 5 O'clock Vodka. The more I read about it, the worse it gets. Should I scrap it and put the beans in some fresh, better quality vodka instead? Or will I lose too much of the favor? Will the vanilla extract be gross if I just wait it out? Is extract with bad vodka still better than store bought I guess is my question? I'm very bummed, but you live and learn I suppose. Thanks for any advice!
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for the message. I've never used 5 O'clock vodka, so I can't speak from personal experience. Online reviews seem to indicate that it's an OK vodka. It's 80 proof (40% alcohol) which is just fine. Vodkas are usually, mostly tasteless, so the flavor of the beans will win in the end. But if you're at all concerned and the beans have only been soaking for a few weeks, you could change it to a different vodka and be just fine. Everyone has a different palate, so I may think it's fine, but you my feel differently. So, when in doubt perhaps it's worth changing vodkas. It's up to you. I think that you'll probably be OK. 🙂
That is true. It needs to be at least 35% alcohol (which is 70 proof.) We have had success all the way up to 50% alcohol (100 proof) but would not recommend going above 50% or below 35%. Have fun! :)
I just got some vanilla beans for extract...but they smell more like plastic than anything. It smelled fragrant like vanilla while it was inside the plastic pouch, but outside of it they smell like plastic. Is this normal???
If it's hot where you live, then I suppose it's possible that the heat on the mailer and the pouch could cause some plastic smell, but it's unusual, at least for us. If you purchased the beans from us, we have a 100% satisfaction guarantee so if you have any concerns at all, just send us an email at support@vanillapura.com with your order number, and we'll send you a return label for those beans and then send you replacement beans.
What about Stoli? I just picked that up today to try. I do prefer Grey Goose but haven’t tried it as an extract. We have used the Costco - but don’t recall if it was the French or American. Our most recent batch was Svedka :) Thanks for this post!! I am trying some Whiskey/bourbon type vanilla extract process too (using Longhorn). Also I have made my own Absinthe so it’s been fun to experiment.
Never tried Stoli, but I'm sure it's great. Let us know how it turns out. Bourbons are also a lot of fun to experiment with. You're going down the rabbit hole. :)
I used a vodka called Gaison and it’s French. The person at the liquor store recommended it. Made 2 large jars with it using Madagascar beans and saw oil from the beans. I hope it turns out great. Waiting 1 year to try it. This is month 7 for my vodkas and month 6 for my bourbons.
I'm sure your vodka is great. Vodka is a safe spirit to start with and it's usually ready within a year or less. Bourbon can be pretty strong and may require more than a year. Some people wait at least 18 months before using their bourbon extracts, but everyone's taste is different. Have fun and enjoy the journey! :)
I haven't see that one yet. We do sometimes pour our finished vanilla extract through a coffee filter if we don't want any vanilla bean bits and pieces in the extract. Personal preference. Have fun!! :)
Does anybody know about Wheatley Vodka? Should i stick to Svedka? That's the cheapest of the most recommended.
Wheatley vodka is great! Comes from Buffalo Trace Distillery and makes a fantastic extract. You'll be in good shape. :)
Wonderful info!
Thank you for taking the time to explain this detail info for making my vanilla!! 👌🏻☺️
Glad it was helpful!
You said Tito's while holding kettle one? They're different? Which did you mean.?
Both are great. :)
So excited to find your channel. I started making my own vanilla about a year and a half ago and am realizing that I did a lot of things wrong. Most of the websites said that the cheapest vodka was fine to use. Even after talking to the liquor sales people, I walked out of there with a bottle of Aristocrat. And yes, I'm finding that my vanilla is not strong in vanilla flavor and still quite boozy (waited about 6 months). I have also been topping it off occasionally (again, read that adding a little fresh vodka at a time was ok). Is my vanilla salvageable (can I add more beans and just leave it alone for a little more time)? I will definitely start a new batch with one of the vodkas you recommended. I was also given leftover SKYY vodka from a wedding - would that one also be safe to use? Thanks for doing these videos!
Glad we can help! YES, your vanilla is still salvageable. Don't throw it out. If you began with 1oz of vanilla beans for every 8oz of alcohol, and if your vodka was at least 35% alcohol, then you may just need to wait a little longer. It often takes a full year. To be sure, you may want to add another 1/2oz of vanilla beans for every 1oz of vodka that you are using. There should be no need to top off the alcohol if it is being stored in an air tight container. Store it in a cool/dark place. Enjoy the journey! :)
I just started my vanilla extract journey and I think I made a mistake and was wondering if you could give me some advice. I started some 4oz jars about a month ago to use as gifts for Christmas. Not knowing anything about alcohol (before watching your UA-cam Videos...thank you!), I used a cheapo brand called 5 O'clock Vodka. The more I read about it, the worse it gets. Should I scrap it and put the beans in some fresh, better quality vodka instead? Or will I lose too much of the favor? Will the vanilla extract be gross if I just wait it out? Is extract with bad vodka still better than store bought I guess is my question? I'm very bummed, but you live and learn I suppose. Thanks for any advice!
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for the message. I've never used 5 O'clock vodka, so I can't speak from personal experience. Online reviews seem to indicate that it's an OK vodka. It's 80 proof (40% alcohol) which is just fine. Vodkas are usually, mostly tasteless, so the flavor of the beans will win in the end. But if you're at all concerned and the beans have only been soaking for a few weeks, you could change it to a different vodka and be just fine. Everyone has a different palate, so I may think it's fine, but you my feel differently. So, when in doubt perhaps it's worth changing vodkas. It's up to you. I think that you'll probably be OK. 🙂
Does the vodka have to be a certain proof? I saw a video where the person said it MUST be 70 proof (35%), is that true or will any proof work?
That is true. It needs to be at least 35% alcohol (which is 70 proof.) We have had success all the way up to 50% alcohol (100 proof) but would not recommend going above 50% or below 35%. Have fun! :)
I just got some vanilla beans for extract...but they smell more like plastic than anything. It smelled fragrant like vanilla while it was inside the plastic pouch, but outside of it they smell like plastic. Is this normal???
If it's hot where you live, then I suppose it's possible that the heat on the mailer and the pouch could cause some plastic smell, but it's unusual, at least for us. If you purchased the beans from us, we have a 100% satisfaction guarantee so if you have any concerns at all, just send us an email at support@vanillapura.com with your order number, and we'll send you a return label for those beans and then send you replacement beans.
@@VanillaPura Thank you! I got them from Ebay, but just placed an order with you.
What about Stoli? I just picked that up today to try. I do prefer Grey Goose but haven’t tried it as an extract. We have used the Costco - but don’t recall if it was the French or American.
Our most recent batch was Svedka :)
Thanks for this post!! I am trying some Whiskey/bourbon type vanilla extract process too (using Longhorn).
Also I have made my own Absinthe so it’s been fun to experiment.
Never tried Stoli, but I'm sure it's great. Let us know how it turns out. Bourbons are also a lot of fun to experiment with. You're going down the rabbit hole. :)
I used a vodka called Gaison and it’s French. The person at the liquor store recommended it. Made 2 large jars with it using Madagascar beans and saw oil from the beans. I hope it turns out great. Waiting 1 year to try it. This is month 7 for my vodkas and month 6 for my bourbons.
I'm sure your vodka is great. Vodka is a safe spirit to start with and it's usually ready within a year or less. Bourbon can be pretty strong and may require more than a year. Some people wait at least 18 months before using their bourbon extracts, but everyone's taste is different. Have fun and enjoy the journey! :)
@@VanillaPura thank you 😊 will order some of the oak blocks this week.
I seen on another video a person commented to put your vodka through a coffee filter a few times yourself for lower shelf.
I haven't see that one yet. We do sometimes pour our finished vanilla extract through a coffee filter if we don't want any vanilla bean bits and pieces in the extract. Personal preference. Have fun!! :)
Thanks or the recommendations. Too bad this is only in 360p resolution.
Next time that happens it's most likely your device. Go to settings & change resolution.
@@Mandy_39 sorry, but that is how I know it is posted in low res. Just checked again to make sure. Yep highest resolution available is 360.
that's really cool!
We think so too. :)
Thank you !!! 💖
Always our pleasure. :)