Homemade whiskey is still illegal in all 50 states and most countries, but the craft is making a comeback. This time around, it’s a geek hobby instead of a moneymaking venture, with a focus on quality as opposed to quantity.
Anyone who wants to try distilling is cautioned to do their homework first.
Wired has an overview of the hobby, with links to sites and forums for home distillers. http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2008/05/modern_moonshine
(image credit: unprose)
"It took me years, but with practice and dedication you can make any spirit every bit as good as a commercial distiller," says Dave Robison, 42, owner of Pioneer Spirits, a single-batch distillery in Chico, California. "You might not be able to reproduce it exactly, but it will be as good as anything you can buy on the top shelf."
Anyone who wants to try distilling is cautioned to do their homework first.
After all, he says, "This ain't stamp collecting."
Wired has an overview of the hobby, with links to sites and forums for home distillers. http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2008/05/modern_moonshine
(image credit: unprose)
I used to produce moonshine in great deal quantities during Gorbachev era. Nooooobody died or got poisoned by my poduct. All I read in this forum is just dillusion of the very little educated people especially in organic chemistry. Drunkers in Russia die due by drinking spirit made by wood(dry) crecking of wood chips....
Second, moonshine is not inherently more poisonous than any other type of booze you buy from the liquor store. In the old days, moonshiners used to add other components (often methanol or other poisons) to save money (akin to cutting drugs with poisons) which led to the legend that moonshine will make you go blind. If you do straight fermentation-distillation, you will end up with a product that is just as safe as what you buy anywhere else.
Hopefully, this clears up the "old wive's tales", courtesy of those who believe dogs have cleaner mouths than humans, machines guns and silencers are illegal, and you'll catch a cold if you go outside with wet hair. :-)