The word “moonshine” used to evoke a stigma of bootleggers, shifty mountain men and people blinded from drinking the white lightning. Today, it’s on the rise with mixologists, hipsters and foodies. Generally a label for high-proof corn whiskey or any spirit illegally distilled and sold untaxed, there are now a handful of legit producers that have paid their fees and honed the craft passed down from family recipes and traditions.

Originally produced by Scotch Irish immigrants who made their home in the Appalachian mountains, moonshine became infamous during Prohibition. Instead of being a clean, patiently crafted corn product, deceitful distillers started making a cheaper version using sugar and cutting corners in the process which often produced a lethal hooch.

So maybe today’s legal version isn’t “real” moonshine by hillbilly standards, but for these craft distillers, that’s a pointless technicality.

Piedmont Distillers produces two labels in North Carolina: Catdaddy has its own unique flavors of spices and citrus and Junior Johnson’s Midnight Moon is a traditional, clean version, hand crafted in small batches. Both are 80-proof and triple-distilled, which makes it smoother than the way they used to make it.

Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery is made in Tennessee from the same 100-proof recipe used a hundred years ago. They make three variations sold in old-style mason jars: Original, White Lightnin’ and a batch soaked in cherries.

Kings County (pictured) founded by two Southerners that run the first distillery in New York since Prohibition. These guys make a simple version with organic corn and barley.

Stillhouse – Original Moonshine co-founded by a southern BBQ chef, this Virginia shine is 80 proof, all-natural, distilled four times and charcoal-filtered.

After you’ve settled on one of these distillers, find a good back porch rocking chair and listen to Kentucky Moonshiner by George Tucker.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 24th, 2011 at 3:49 pm and is filed under Drink.