More than any other spirit, moonshine is misunderstood. Once an integral part of prohibition culture, moonshine was illegally produced in backwoods stills, and thus, unregulated and unpredictable. It was an exciting endeavor, but it was also a risky one.
The new crop of moonshines are created under far more auspicious circumstances, yielding a spirit that is rich with history, not lead. Today's moonshine maintains the devil-may-care allure of its illustrious past, but is entirely safe to drink, and yes, even delicious.
We spoke to Joe Baker, the founder of Ole Smoky Moonshine about the craft of making moonshine, starting Tennessee’s first legal moonshine distillery, and the myths associated with the infamous spirit.
Get the full scoop on the hooch here: 10 Things Every Guy Should Know About Moonshine.
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How long has moonshine been around, and why is it so popular in the South?
What is moonshine made from, and how do you make it?
Is moonshine a whisky, vodka or grain alcohol?
What’s the difference between legal and illegal moonshine?
How should you drink moonshine?
Is NASCAR really built on running moonshine?
Why is moonshine served in mason jars?
"Here in the South, we can everything. Green beans, squash relish, strawberry jam, and moonshine. You can drink straight from the jar, reseal it, transport it, and pass it. It’s a communal thing."