Whiskey

C

Calaveras Slim

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San Antonio de Bexar
Let me start this off by saying, "I LOVE WHISKEY". Drank Seagrams VO and Canadian Club for a long time and loved it. Then I discovered Jack Daniels #7 and kept them working a evening shift for over 30 years. My wife likes Crown Royal so I started that.

I found that I could buy "shine" in the likker store and made that switch.

Now I read that the Hatfields and the McCoys are getting together and making shine to sell. My understanding is they are just local right now but looking to expand.

Anyone tried it?
 
Many small distillers are poping-up here in the South. I guess the Moonshine's show has made many start their own cooking more in the open?
The word "Moonshine" is becoming a type liquor and not the illegal method from the past.
 
Calaveras Slim said:
Let me start this off by saying, "I LOVE WHISKEY". Drank Seagrams VO and Canadian Club for a long time and loved it. Then I discovered Jack Daniels #7 and kept them working a evening shift for over 30 years. My wife likes Crown Royal so I started that.

I found that I could buy "shine" in the likker store and made that switch.

Now I read that the Hatfields and the McCoys are getting together and making shine to sell. My understanding is they are just local right now but looking to expand.

Anyone tried it?
Click to expand...
Tell them where you live, I'm sure they will expand to your area.:D
 
1morethan8 said:
Many small distillers are poping-up here in the South. I guess the Moonshine's show has made many start their own cooking more in the open?
The word "Moonshine" is becoming a type liquor and not the illegal method from the past.
Click to expand...

Not just in the South.
It's actually to a large degree a matter of money. The new small micro distilleries have to move product to pay the bills, and especially when they start out, they can't afford to sit there and wait for their whiskey to properly barrel-age for four or six years, so they've rediscovered the "moonshine" mystique (at least their marketing guys have) and are selling at least part of their stuff straight from the still. Doesn't taste anything like proper whiskey, but interesting in its own way. And it's historic, too.
As for the real moonshine: distilling without a license is 5 years in the federal pen and a $10,000 fine. You can buy a lot of real fine whiskey for that.
 
My grandmother , a very religious person, kept a mason jar of "toothache" medicine on top of the refrigerator..Yep it was "Moonshine"..
Grannie never did suffer from a toothache very long..:D
 
"As for the real moonshine: distilling without a license is 5 years in the federal pen and a $10,000 fine. You can buy a lot of real fine whiskey for that."

Depends on the amount and if you're a big dealer and moving whiskey across state lines.
In several states now if you making small amounts for family and friends.. it's a misdemeanor with a smaller fine.
 
1morethan8 said:
"As for the real moonshine: distilling without a license is 5 years in the federal pen and a $10,000 fine. You can buy a lot of real fine whiskey for that."

Depends on the amount and if you're a big dealer and moving whiskey across state lines.
In several states now if you making small amounts for family and friends.. it's a misdemeanor with a smaller fine.
Click to expand...

That unfortunately is a misimpression many people are under. It is also purposely promoted especially by people wanting to sell stills and home distilling equipment. And it's not wrong, just misleading.
While you'll indeed face minimal STATE charges in many states (which is what moonshiner's blogs like to carry on about), there are no home production or consumption exceptions in FEDERAL law at all for distilling, like there are for beer and wine making. And the jurisdiction of the TTB (the part of the former BATF responsible for alcohol laws) does not kick in only when it affects interstate commerce, like in some other areas. They regulate all spirit production. And if you order one of those home stills over the internet? Vendors are required to provide your name and info to the TTB.
Here is the TTB's "rude awakening" page for aspiring moonshiners:

TTB | Distilled Spirits | Penalties for Illegal Distilling
 
Absalom said:
That unfortunately is a misimpression many people are under. It is also purposely promoted especially by people wanting to sell stills and home distilling equipment. And it's not wrong, just misleading.
While you'll indeed face minimal STATE charges in many states (which is what moonshiner's blogs like to carry on about), there are no home production or consumption exceptions in FEDERAL law at all for distilling, like there are for beer and wine making. And the jurisdiction of the TTB (the part of the former BATF responsible for alcohol laws) does not kick in only when it affects interstate commerce, like in some other areas. They regulate all spirit production. And if you order one of those home stills over the internet? Vendors are required to provide your name and info to the TTB.
Here is the TTB's "rude awakening" page for aspiring moonshiners:

TTB | Distilled Spirits | Penalties for Illegal Distilling
Click to expand...

Yes.. you are correct.
But, the ones making small amounts are not the target of the TTB and the local police in the areas know who makes liquor...
many times it's family or friends through several generations.

Only the city-want-a-be buys a still on the internet! Many shiners build their own and in many areas you'll have people who are known for their good metal work...
This was a side business years ago until some guys in a black Ford Vic started to ask questions!:D
I still have my salesman sample..

still1.jpg


If you've watched "Moonshiners", you may remember the big still Jeff and Mark had in a barn? The location of that barn is...
2311 Dick Branch Road
Robbinsville, NC

By the way.. Jeff and Mark are real moonshiners!.. wonder how I knew that? Humm?:D
 
1morethan8 said:
Dick Branch Road
Click to expand...

Hey, I like that!

And I have a moonshine story. Back when we were in college, we were sedated by nightly stories by one of our roommates. He came from downstate and told a lot of stories. None of us had the nerve to disbelieve him, but his stories were so good we all wanted to see the "old homestead" for our selves. So one warm spring weekend we all piled in his car and took a weekend road trip. It started pretty easy. Everyone who had afternoon Friday classes cut them and off we went. Got there mid afternoon and our first stop was at his daddy's office. Lets just say he was in law enforcement, but also a practical man. He suggested we hike up to old Mrs ???? and pay her a visit. I really don't remember the lady's name and it hasn't even been 50 full years..yet. Anyway, as we were shuffling out, his dad suggested we each tote along 10# of sugar.

It seems that in that county, sales of over 10# were recorded, but 10# wasn't bothered with. Go figure. Back in the car we went and off in the mountains. We finally got to a wide spot in the road that kind of looked like a junkyard and a barnyard. There were cars parked, others crash landed, and a small corral with a couple of mules. We simply parked and took off up hill. Not kind of, but straight up a pretty good trail, with the operative word being up. We didn't have a big load, only 10# each. College age guys are usually in pretty good shape, and we didn't need rest stops. We came to a saddle and just down the other side was a cleared area with some houses. Really mountain cabins. And 4 young men, outsiders, created pretty much of a stir.

But we were going to one cabin. The old lady was very nice, and kind of liked the idea of all those boys coming to visit. She sat us down and very graciously accepted our gifts. Then she served up a bottle of her best. Gawd did it smell strong. I only took one sip, and it was enough. :) But we talked for a while, she told our roommate to thank his father, and then off we went back down the mountain. Each with one of the mini Mason jars of her art. It was the first time I'd ever seen a jar that size and dimensions. Full size lid and gasket, just a shortie. It was smooth, and I'd guess the proof at least 150, maybe more. What we know as corn likker these days.

Over the years, I stumbled upon stills out in the woods. None impressed me as being artists workshops. Those were for profit operations. I guess there is a difference between for profit and likker done for love.
 
Calaveras Slim said:
Let me start this off by saying, "I LOVE WHISKEY". Drank Seagrams VO and Canadian Club for a long time and loved it. Then I discovered Jack Daniels #7 and kept them working a evening shift for over 30 years. My wife likes Crown Royal so I started that.

I found that I could buy "shine" in the likker store and made that switch.

Now I read that the Hatfields and the McCoys are getting together and making shine to sell. My understanding is they are just local right now but looking to expand.

Anyone tried it?
Click to expand...

Since you're in Texas, drive up to Waco and tour Balcones. They have a pretty decent single malt and a couple of corn whiskeys.
 
Being from Tennessee I've had my share of "shine", some pretty good but to me the best whiskey in the world comes out of the George Dickel Distillery just 15 or so miles from Jack Daniels. Their Barrel Select is consistantly great where as with moonshine some is darn good, some tastes like kerosene.
 
Any of you guys know why they double distill some whiskeys???? Seems like once would do it, but some are double distilled.
 
Don't drink much any more, but when I do I'll spend a few more bucks for a small batch bourbon. Knob Creek is quite tasty.
 
The distilleries I visited in Kentucky doubled or tripled distilled the whiskeys, double distilling increases the alcohol content the use a doubler still. From what I learned about moonshine (and I may be wrong) it is distilled once, and alcohol may be a high a 40-45% alcohol.
 
msinc said:
Any of you guys know why they double distill some whiskeys???? Seems like once would do it, but some are double distilled.
Click to expand...

Many times a brandy will be doubled to raise the proof. It will also tone down a strong taste and smell. It's also done to rid of more unwanted materials and to improve the purity.
 
Basically, when you cook off the mash, you get stuff besides alcohol. The first run pulls out nearly all the alcohol but also a bunch of water. The next time that same distillate is cooked, you get mostly alcohol and leave some of the water behind.

I'll ask a buddy at Easter. He's from Litchenstein. OK, I can't spell. He's a Phd in chemistry and recently retired. I asked him what he got for a retirement present. He smiled and said "a still". Guess they have different laws and views. So I asked him what he distilled and he said "Schnapps!" :D We deserve better laws!
 
sheepdawg said:
Being from Tennessee I've had my share of "shine", some pretty good but to me the best whiskey in the world comes out of the George Dickel Distillery just 15 or so miles from Jack Daniels. Their Barrel Select is consistantly great where as with moonshine some is darn good, some tastes like kerosene.
Click to expand...

Have you noticed even George Dickel has jumped on the "moonshine" bandwagon? They are selling their "Foundation recipe No. 1 white corn whisky", basically an unaged version of their Tennessee whisky (same mash bill, 84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malt). Of all the white whiskeys, it's actually my favorite; unaged whiskey tends to be immature and harsh-tasting, but the high percentage of corn combined with the sugar-maple charcoal filtering makes the Dickel white quite smooth and drinkable.
 

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Erich said:
My nephew gave me a vile jar of the Everclear-ish stuff for Christmas. Very nice of him, but I'm a grown-up and have other things to drink.
Click to expand...

Someone gave me a bottle of the Everclear too and it only gets used for ONE THING...... to take the grease and oil off of guns or other metal parts when they need to be free of any substance - degreasing. It also works to clean re-loading Dies after a loading session. For those purposes it works very well but I'd NEVER drink it!

My favorites are:

Jack Daniels - Single Barrel
Jack Daniels - #7
Woodford's Reserve Bourbon
Tito's Vodka
Templeton's Rye
 
Last edited:
Absalom said:
Have you noticed even George Dickel has jumped on the "moonshine" bandwagon? They are selling their "Foundation recipe No. 1 white corn whisky", basically an unaged version of their Tennessee whisky (same mash bill, 84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malt). Of all the white whiskeys, it's actually my favorite; unaged whiskey tends to be immature and harsh-tasting, but the high percentage of corn combined with the sugar-maple charcoal filtering makes the Dickel white quite smooth and drinkable.
Click to expand...

With Corn Flakes no less !:eek:
 
I like whiskey too. This one's made right here in Ft. Worth and it's wonderful. A little pricey and sold out right now...waiting for the next batch.

 
3dots said:
Wow, I guess the tour I took through their facility must have been an illusion or something. I'm going in for a CAT scan ASAP :confused:.
Click to expand...

They are real, and they are sitting on a bourbon they distilled themselves, although I don't think it's been released yet. But the TX is a blended whiskey which isn't distilled at their location (and they don't claim that), but sourced from various distilleries they are not naming and then blended there. To refer to that article Erich linked, this one apparently does not come from MGP.

Our Whiskey - Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co. | Fort Worth, Texas
 
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