What Is Moonshine?
Insights from the granddaughter of an infamous moonshine kingpin who continues the trade (legally) today.
bhofack2/Getty Images
Even if you’ve never sipped moonshine, you’ve probably heard about its reputation as an illegally distilled liquor. And you may even have seen bottles of craft moonshine for sale at your local liquor store. Confusing, what's the deal? For more info, we consulted Anna Prillaman, the marketing director of Twin Creeks Distillery, her family’s third-generation moonshine business located in Rocky Mount, VA, in Franklin County, which is considered the moonshine capital of the world.
What Is Moonshine?
Moonshine is a high-proof, unaged clear whiskey typically distilled from corn. Moonshine can also be made from rye, barley, rye, wheat and sugar.
“Moonshine is a pretty broad word that can mean lots of things. There are all different styles of mashing and when I say mashing, I am referring to mashing grains in for whiskey, mashing fruit in for brandy, etc. This is where the blending up and fermentation takes place before distilling,” Prillaman says. “And then there are many styles of distilling and making. The deep-rooted art traces back to when the settlers first crossed the ocean and established themselves in the Blue Ridge Mountains of home. It was a risky means of survival at times, and notoriously, the word 'moonshine' is known for the secrecy behind it."
urbazon/Getty Images
What Does Moonshine Taste Like?
Moonshine tastes like a strong, neutral spirit, similar to vodka. “Moonshine tends to be a strong and high-proof sipping liquor. It only starts to taste sweet and more mellow when folks add fruit or flavoring to the clear product after distillation,” Prillaman explains. “Also, the way you "fire" a still can play a big part in the power behind the sip. For instance, we steam distill at Twin Creeks Distillery which makes for a smooth taste because there's no chance of scorching your mash (the ground grains are combined with water and heated).”
Ben Whitaker/Getty Images
Why Is Making Moonshine Illegal?
Making moonshine is illegal in the U.S. without a license. Home distilling has been practiced in the U.S. since the 18th century, when settlers of Irish and Scottish descent brought their whiskey-distilling knowledge with them. The term moonshine is said to have gotten its name from making liquor by moonlight, but moonshine was also an 18th century English term for liquor. Around Prohibition, the making and selling of homemade spirits became illegal which contributed to moonshine’s reputation as an illicit substance.
Prillaman’s grandfather, James Walter “Peg” Hatcher, was indicted in The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935. He was known as the “kingpin,” and served time in the late 1930s for his involvement. It was one of the largest trials in the country and later inspired the 2012 film Lawless.
Today there are legal forms of making moonshine, as with licensed distilleries such as Twin Peaks Distillery. But making moonshine at home continues to be illegal. “It's illegal for the general public [to make moonshine] who don't hold a federal and state license,” Prillaman explains. “The government prefers they have a large hand in the money made off making moonshine. It was definitely more of a booming business before cell phones and modern technology made it easier to track everything folks do.”
Moonshine Alcohol Percent
Moonshine alcohol by volume (ABV) ranges from 40 to 80 percent. “We tend to keep our ABV between 45% and 50% which is 90 to 100 proof,” Prillaman says. “But when our liquor first hits the bucket, we see it run between 150 and 140 proof.”
Moonshine vs Whiskey: What’s the Difference?
5PH/Getty Images
Moonshine is a type of unaged whiskey. Like whiskey, moonshine can be made by distilling a variety of grains, including corn, rye and barley. And both moonshine and whiskey can be sipped neat or on the rocks or incorporated into cocktails. But there are a few differences between moonshine and whiskey including appearance, production and taste.
- Appearance: Because moonshine isn’t aged, it is clear in color. “All liquor is clear when it first hits the spout, it's the barrel-aging process that gives the brown color,” Prillaman explains.
- Production: Moonshine is ready to drink after the distilling process is complete. Other whiskies, such as bourbon or rye, are aged in barrels.
- Taste: Moonshine has a neutral, strong flavor. Moonshine can also be flavored with added flavorings, from fruity to dessert-inspired flavor profiles. For whiskies such as bourbon or rye, the barrel-aging process imparts a variety of flavors, such as vanilla, smokiness or oakiness; the flavors depend on the type of barrel used and the length of aging time.
Related Links:
