It was clear as glass when I racked it. I used a 1/4 inch plastic hose and I carefully inched it past the fruit. I let it sit like that for an hour before I started the suction process. The bit that I picked up was off the bottom as I gently lowered the end further into the bottle. I was just off the lees when I saw just a tiny bit get sucked up, and I quickly raised the end higher. I think it will be fine. It is clear now, and I expect it will get even clearer once it has sat for a while. I fully intend on racking it again, one more time into its permanent home, back into where it started, the special edition Maxwell House Jack Daniels bottle. I have the original cork and glass stopper for it, the cork is in great shape, seals well, and I'll figure out a way to make it air tight once I get there. I was thinking of dropping some oak chips soaked in bourbon into it near the end before I rack it for the last time.