Are you running a whiskey still?

[shaley]

I guess Moonshine then, is about like the milk of today. Just don't know where it comes from and what's in it. We quit drinking milk because of Bovine Growth Hormone (BGH). The dairy couldn't tell us how much was used on their herds because of the contract buying and blending. BGH is not allowed in Europe or Canada. Monsanto has been able to have it approved in the US. We occansionally buy from a local organic dairy but it's a little out of the way.

 

[Egon]

Think about the fortunes some families have derived from alcohol sales either legal or illegal?

 

[300UGUY]

A friend of mine is in the home remodeling business. He told me that several years ago, he was working on a very large house, and they found a still in the attic. It was a very nice installation, done during the prohibition days. They had been wondering why the walls were built so heavy, the entire house was designed around the still.

 

[N80]

Think about the fortunes some families have derived from alcohol sales either legal or illegal?

Sure, but a lot of foruntes have been made on cocaine and heroin and meth too.

 

[Reg]

May be wrong but I think loss of eyesight was tied to the lead leaching that was used in old car radiators being used for condensers.

Maybe some, but it was my understanding that the fusil oils have pretty bad effects on health.
Point is; there are a LOT of unknowns and unless you have a GOOD lab and the skills to do the analysis you won't know what has got in, been left in, etc.
For the price of whatever you get legally, it isn't worth the risk. To ME anyway, others may have different perspectives, etc.

 

[BTDT]

I guess the indians called it "firewater" for a reason.

 

[N80]

Well, moonshine is usually made under 'suspect' conditions by definition. For any given batch there is virtually no quality control and no way to know how it was made. Moonshine is also usually low proof. Everyone has this idea that it is high powered but the truth is that these simple backwoods stills are not efficient enough to make high proof alcohol.

So what you get is most likely going to be low proof, impure and primarily tasteless alcohol that will get you drunk but might also make you sick.

If all you need is a flavorless buzz, how much does a cheap 5th of Vodka cost? (For my money I'd go with a vintage 2007 Mad Dog 2020 or maybe a screw top Boone Farm apple wine. )

 

[bearhawk]

You always check the quality of the wine by the snap of the cap as you twist it off.

:-0

 

[PineRidge]

Maybe some, but it was my understanding that the fusil oils have pretty bad effects on health.
Point is; there are a LOT of unknowns and unless you have a GOOD lab and the skills to do the analysis you won't know what has got in, been left in, etc.
For the price of whatever you get legally, it isn't worth the risk. To ME anyway, others may have different perspectives, etc.

I don't buy that, sorry.

The fact is once while visiting an olé' buddy of mine in Naples, Florida we decided to finish off a half Mason Jar of shine that he had. His wife warned us that we might both go blind so we both just quit at the point of needing thick glasses.

 

[N80]

I don't buy that, sorry.

The point is, that moonshine that is made for distribution is made by criminals. They do not have the customer's best interest at heart. If they want to run it through a radiator because they don't have a coil, then they'll do it. If they want to cut it with water, they'll do it. If they want to cut it with old anti-freeze, they'll do it.

So if you want to get drunk on the lowest quality, nastiest tasting stuff on earth, go for it! Even for those who romanticize about moonshine I've never heard anyone say that it tasted good!

On the other hand, if I knew the person making it and knew that they made it solely for their own consumption, I might taste some for kicks. But again, moonshine is awful. Ever Clear would be more tasty and more potent.

If I wanted something homemade, I'd much prefer a homemade beer, wine or hard cider, you know, something that tastes good AND makes you feel good.