Hey Sunshine - good questions.
Regarding the hangover, not much really. No headache, but still feeling stoned until noon. I don't drink booze so I can't really compare. I don't mind waking up high though...
I brew my older buds and trim in 151 rum for 3-4 months (prolly doesn't need to go that long), then I strain it, and evaporate off alot (but not all) of the alcohol for a few days in a shallow pan. Last batch had about 6-7 different strains in there - lots of purple wreck.
Once you have a batch, then calibrate it so you know exactly how much will give what effect. I use tinted dropper bottles. Like you said, you don't really want to be guessing (handful of bud!!! Yikes!).
Once in a while I get a strain that you can just eat little buds from and it works like a charm. Kalichakra was like this. Crappy for smoking, but great for eating - no preparation at all. Really weird actually. The Destroyer I have now is like that, and it is super spicy on the tongue.
Cheerio,
m0lecule