might i add that a realy good yeast to use is a SHERRY yeast,its very tolerant to alchohol levels,and so reaches far higher alc contents in yer wines. as for the cider question,quite simply the answer is yes,use proper 6+% scrumpy ,the west country cider brandy manufacturers do just this,Bulmers museum in hereford does it on sit at the museum,40pints of scrumpy makes i believe half a pint of cider brandy,it realy is good stuff,waitrose sell it. the french make the same product illicitly,they call it calvados,they make theirs however from the fermented apple pulp that is left from making the '