Whiskey Wednesday

Moonshine Takes A Step Up To The Snobs

As American Whiskey gets more recognition and most amount of distilleries since the prohibition area there have been more and more variations of Moonshine. 

Now a lot of people may ask, what exactly is Moonshine? Moonshine is the same as most whiskeys with the slight difference that it goes through little to no barrel aging which is what gives most whiskeys that brown color. 

The Wall Street Journal says:

Yes, it may conjure images of mountain men concocting illegal booze using junkyard auto parts, but many artisanal distilleries have recently elevated the backwoods spirit to something worth sipping as you would a fine brandy.

“Our white whiskey has a very deliberate approach,” says Brian Ellison of Death’s Door Distillery. “We utilize a yeast that is better suited for wine. The result plays up a unique note of amyl alcohol found in good grappas, pisco and rhum agricole.”

It’s true: There’s a distinctive farm-like pureness to these whiskies that puts them closer to an earthy genever (traditional Dutch gin) or cachaça (a rum-like spirit from Brazil) than a bourbon. (via)

Which brings the questions, is Moonshine better than the well aged, matured Scotch? A lot of whiskey snobs believe so. With this new age of whiskey rising and more new and fresh faces distilleries opening up in all corners of America, does age really matter? 

 Due to the prohibition,  most American distilleries were wiped out, making it difficult to find anything aged more than a few decades. But does that mean that their fathers (Scotch Irish whiskeys and the like) are better? No, of course not. It just means its different. Now, more so than ever is the time to try new things. Whether the whiskey is clear or brown, aged or not, from afar or in your town, no one can deny that each one is unique and interesting. Which ones are better or worse  is up to the taster and taster only.

 Different Moonshines to try are:

• Death Door’s White Whiskey
• Ole Smoky Tennessee Whiskey
• High West High Country Single Malt
• Glen Thunder Corn Whiskey
• House Spirits White Dog Whiskey
• Kings County Distillery Moonshine Corn Whiskey
• Hudson New York Corn Whiskey

Drink white and be safe, y’all!

-Whiskey