moon shine?

[Birdman]

if yer interested in shine n stills n such, Clawhammer supply is a pretty neat site, with lots of info n actual stills ya can buy, seen a few recipies too. pretty neat site to check out, n no I gots nothing to do with them, just thought it was kool

 

[Rev_William]

lol you trying to get on someones christmas list for samples?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Check your local and state regulations before you buy. Some counties in some states are "dry" but sometimes that includes possession of a still or still parts, and here in Maryland possession of a still is a no no, and they don't have to catch you using it. Further, the Feds changed the law, and you can't distill alcohol even for just personal use without a rather expensive permit, or having a free federal permit to make "fuel". You have to keep copious records with either permit.

LD

 

That could have some interesting enforcement.
I'd bet every high school science lab in the country is in possession of still parts.
Around here the biggest danger of having a traditional copper still wouldn’t be the “T” men, it would be the metal thieves.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Randy you are correct, and in fact high school chemistry class is where I learned to distill. What folks get into trouble with, is having the classic style copper, single or double still. Especially those that buy the single, "pot still" as it's rather obvious to a suburban Maryland judge what they are. Real moonshiners of course convert large tanks into stills and make "runs" of dozens or even hundreds of gallons of liquor. But..., every few years some poor soul buys a copper pot still and brings it out to some historic site, thinking that if it is only displayed there isn't a problem, or if it only uses water when being demonstrated, there isn't a problem..., then State Liquor pays them a visit... the state boys don't really think such are a problem, but they are ordered to enforce that as the bureaucrats in Annapolis are afraid if it isn't enforced..., some goof will get a still, incorrectly make some 'shine without dumping the first bit that's methanol, somebody will get sick, go blind, or die, and let's not forget avoiding the taxes. :haha:

LD

 

My immediate thought was that it would be fun to treat some of the self-righteous administrators with their “zero tolerance” policies to their own medicine.
We have all read about the students who get expelled over innocent and honest mistakes due to zero tolerance. I’d get a kick out of seeing one of those educated idiots who refuse to judge on a case by case basis facing some time over allowing still parts in their school building.

 

[cynthialee]

Running a still is illegal but fun as can be.
If you are seriously thinking on it, get a reflux collum and forget the pot still. Unless it is an old timey display piece then go with the pot still.
There is a book that was originaly printed in 1889 called Practical Distiller by Leonard Monzert that will teach you EVERYTHING you need to know how to run an old time distillery. (my copy is a reprint, I totaly wish I had an original copy)

It'll teach you enough to face a federal judge if you try and apply what the book will teach you without the proper permits.
:youcrazy:

 

[Woods Dweller]

I would like to make a little hooch for medicinal use. I do not care for the taste of the stuff.

About 20 years ago I got my hands on a Mason jar of some home made shine. I come down with a bad sore throat and took a swig of that hooch, I thought my throat was on fire for a few seconds but the next morning my sore throat was gone.

It also stop tooth from hurting, And a drop in my ear stopped my ear from hurting.

I run out of that jar about 2 years ago. I sure would like to make a mason jar full.

 

[shmrck1]

Guys it is still very available at least in mine and surrounding states.Up front it is not cheap!
15/20 years ago a gallon was 30/35$ last 1/2 gallon I got was $70.Even Ever-clear don't come
close to that price and honestly there ain't
all that much difference IMO and I have drank a lot of shine.
snake-eyes :hmm:

 

[Nifeman]

Down here Junior Johnson is makin' some legal stuff sold in the ABC stores, and I've heard it's the same recipe that he always used. I've passed a few jars of the real thing around and somes good and some will downright knock-yer-socks off. Me and the missus make a little homemade wine that'll give ya the same end result, and it's legal :wink: ..Bud

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Your seller is giving you the "Yankee Tourist" price. Shine should go for about $40 a gallon, heck that's what you'd pay per gallon if you bought 190 proof Everclear and cut it with water down to moonshine strength..., so $70 per helf-gallon, even if made in a pot still "double rectified" so it has the proper flavor..., doesn't rate it at $140 per gallon. :shocked2:

LD

 

[cynthialee]

If you use a reflux collum still and keep a sharp eye on your tempuratures you can make shine that is as pure or purer than everclear.
Personally I think having it so pure you can run a chainsaw is a little overkill but it seems to impress some folks.

It's best when watered down to about 120 proof and let sit ageing in chared oak for a couple years. You do not have to buy an oak barrel either. They sell chared oak wood chips in most brew shops and they work rather well for aging various concoctions that call for ageing in chared oak barrels.

I sometimes miss the booze making hobby. I haven't had a chance to do it for years. But I figure why bother, no one in my circle of friends nor I are drinkers. I drink maybe 5-10 alcoholic beverages a year at most.

 

[crockett]

The only stuff I ever drank tasted like nail polish- :stir: I think I'll stick with 40 year old Bourbon. :shocked2: :grin:

 

[Blizzard of '93]

then you have'nt had real soured mash corn likker.
if cut correctly down to around 90 proof it will knock you on your arse w/out realizing you've had any alcohol

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Ah but if you "age" your shine, and you made it from corn, it's bourbon. :grin: 'Shine, or Pot-cheen, or grappa, isn't supposed to be "aged" and still be the same stuff. The charcoal barrel and aging was due to the pot-stills and the impurities that came with using them. If you are using a reflux still, you shouldn't need it.

I only use the 190 Everclear for two reasons,..., first it makes good liqueur when you are making limoncello..., and you do need at least 150 proof alcohol to properly make the limoncello as otc vodka does not do the end product justice..., and the other reason is you get more raw material for the price than a 160 proof or 151 proof alcohol base.

LD

 

[Black Hand]

I would like to make a little hooch for medicinal use. I do not care for the taste of the stuff.

You could just buy a bottle of "Everclear" if it is available in your state. 190 proof alcohol from the liquor store.

 

[Woods Dweller]

Never heard of "Everclear". I'll check ABC Liguar. Thanks

 

[Rev_William]

Some states may not sell it. I remember local liqour stores in WA didn't sell it. Never really saw it on the shelves til I moved to MT in '88.

I have a cpl books on distilling. So far the best Reference book I have seen is the alaska bootleggars bible. Covers wine making beer and distilling. Haven't tried the distilling due to heavy fines from atf but the wine and beer recipes in the book are simple and tasty lol.