Moonshine. White Lightning. Mountain Dew. Hooch. From CT? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SwampYankee · #1 12-07-2011, 09:42 AM

Yep, albeit refined and legal. A couple Manchester, CT guys have taken up distilling in an old factory using only the best and finest. They have plans for their own rum, single malt whiskey, vodka and limoncello. Right now the demand for the moonshine is exceptionally strong, so much so that it has been taking all of their time. They got some national exposure when their Onyx Moonshine was included in the swag bags given away at the Country Music Awards.

It may be a bit high-falutin' for the backwoods still types, but it's pretty cool nonetheless. CT actually has a pretty deep history with clandestine distilling. There's less than a handful of businesses in the state with active liquor maker's licenses. The fact that it's legally distilled and taxed takes away some of the romanticism

, but it is a damn-fine hooch! And death or blindness is far less likely.

elchivito · #2 12-07-2011, 10:44 AM

Along with microbreweries and regional wineries, small local distilleries are starting to pop up all over. I recently had the opportunity to sample a single malt whiskey that's being produced in Flagstaff. They smoke the malt over mesquite wood, resulting in a subtle but very nice smokiness not unlike an Islay Malt type scotch. Tasty. Hoo-rah for local brewers, distillers and vintners.

spdrun · #3 12-07-2011, 02:56 PM

It's actually quite hard to distill and produce enough methanol (the stuff that causes blindness) to be harmful. The instances of blindness mostly came from 'shiners adding industrial alcohol, or distilling through an old car radiator, and thus introducing lead or antifreeze into the mix.

tbomachines · #4 12-07-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

Yep, albeit refined and legal. A couple Manchester, CT guys have taken up distilling in an old factory using only the best and finest. They have plans for their own rum, single malt whiskey, vodka and limoncello. Right now the demand for the moonshine is exceptionally strong, so much so that it has been taking all of their time. They got some national exposure when their Onyx Moonshine was included in the swag bags given away at the Country Music Awards.

It may be a bit high-falutin' for the backwoods still types, but it's pretty cool nonetheless. CT actually has a pretty deep history with clandestine distilling. There's less than a handful of businesses in the state with active liquor maker's licenses. The fact that it's legally distilled and taxed takes away some of the romanticism

, but it is a damn-fine hooch! And death or blindness is far less likely.

My Grandparents had some interesting related stories about prohibition and moonshine, CT seems to have been pretty active in that time

Skippy · #5 12-07-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdrun

It's actually quite hard to distill and produce enough methanol (the stuff that causes blindness) to be harmful. The instances of blindness mostly came from 'shiners adding industrial alcohol, or distilling through an old car radiator, and thus introducing lead or antifreeze into the mix.

The composition of the distillate changes from the beginning to the end of the batch. The first part (foreshots) contain most of the methanol. Good distillers dispose of that part. The last part of the batch (feints) are often sent back through the still for another pass. The middle 20% of the batch is said to be the best.

elchivito · #6 12-07-2011, 06:40 PM

That stuff isn't by any stretch real moonshine, count on it.

Ara T. · #7 12-07-2011, 08:04 PM

Is this kind of booze aged in barrels or is it just kind of tasteless like vodka (bleh)

Skippy · #8 12-07-2011, 08:14 PM

Real moonshine doesn't generally get aged. Not so sure about the stuff in the OP.

I've had the real thing twice. The first was distilled from peaches and still had a strong peach flavor to it. The second was made from sugar and didn't taste like much. Both looked like water.

elchivito · #9 12-07-2011, 08:21 PM

If it's clear it's not wood barrel aged. The OP booze looks clear. Clear distilled spirits don't necessarily taste like vodka. It depends on what they're originally fermented from and to what extent they're filtered afterwards. I have a clear rye whiskey that is unaged but made from single malt rye. very much a whiskey and definitely not vodka, although it is in fact grain neutral spirits, just like vodka is.

Hatterasguy · #10 12-07-2011, 08:31 PM

Oh I'll have to try it.

I'm on a big Seagram's VO kick lately, since winter is coming. Plus I can get a handle for $22 which lasts for a bit.

10fords · #11 12-07-2011, 09:48 PM

My neighbor makes the real deal moonshine and it is just plain nasty! (Of course I still drink it as I don't want to offend him) I have found that koolaide makes a good mix with moonshine to cut the harshness. It also works just as good as diesel purge to clean your injectors!! The Italian side of my family makes Grappa which will also make you blind if you aren't careful! I read a great book about California moonshiners awhile ago called "Jackass Brandy". I highly recommend it.

SwampYankee · #12 12-08-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

Along with microbreweries and regional wineries, small local distilleries are starting to pop up all over. I recently had the opportunity to sample a single malt whiskey that's being produced in Flagstaff. They smoke the malt over mesquite wood, resulting in a subtle but very nice smokiness not unlike an Islay Malt type scotch. Tasty. Hoo-rah for local brewers, distillers and vintners.

Absolutely! As much as the term localvore bugs me for some reason, it's good to see that there is genuine interest in more locally grown/raised/sourced/manufactured goods and products and that "price" is becoming secondary.

I'm looking forward to their other products, when time allows for them to actually produce them.

SwampYankee · #13 12-08-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10fords

My neighbor makes the real deal moonshine and it is just plain nasty! (Of course I still drink it as I don't want to offend him) I have found that koolaide makes a good mix with moonshine to cut the harshness. It also works just as good as diesel purge to clean your injectors!! The Italian side of my family makes Grappa which will also make you blind if you aren't careful! I read a great book about California moonshiners awhile ago called "Jackass Brandy". I highly recommend it.

Probably good paint remover and brake cleaner as well.

My late MIL was 100% Sicilian, and her aunts and uncles used to make up some wicked (good) batches of grappa, in addition to wine. Unfortunately they've all passed on before passing on the tradition.

I'll have to check out that book as it's a subject that has always fascinated me. The Discovery Channel has a new series, Moonshiners. I've got a couple episodes DVR'd but haven't had the opportunity to watch yet.

Hatterasguy · #14 12-08-2011, 09:15 PM

Just bought a bottle, going to kill it this weekend and report back!

Ara T. · #15 12-08-2011, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

If it's clear it's not wood barrel aged. The OP booze looks clear. Clear distilled spirits don't necessarily taste like vodka. It depends on what they're originally fermented from and to what extent they're filtered afterwards. I have a clear rye whiskey that is unaged but made from single malt rye. very much a whiskey and definitely not vodka, although it is in fact grain neutral spirits, just like vodka is.

True that. Thanks for schoolin me on the booze.

edit: where'd you find the booze Hat?