I had the good fortune to spend some time with a 90 year old shiner that has been "doin' it for more than 65 years". He said all he makes is "corn likr" I finally got him to tell me what his secret to making his shine is.
What he told me is that he always uses a copper thumper and also always sprouts the corn five days until you can just see the green sprout. He says that when the corn sprouts there is a chemical and flavor change that happens to the corn and that it ferments better.
I'm throwing this out there to get your opinions. I didn't know that the material the thumper was made out of was a big deal. The sprouting of the corn makes sense.
All I know is those that have had his liquor love it and then start fighting each other So, its got to be good....
malt corn definitely has a different flavor than cracked corn, it makes for a fine white whiskey also. can't speak about the thumper as I don't run one yet.
Moonshine.... American as apple pie & it's part of our heritage, history & culture.
If you wanna make true old timey shine you gotta run it off a coon pecker or it don't count.
But seriously Charlie there are some fantastic reads in the "history and foke lore" section. No recipes I don't think but a lot of talk about the good ol days in there.
But what the heck do I know.....I am still learning.
charliewaffles wrote:I had the good fortune to spend some time with a 90 year old shiner that has been "doin' it for more than 65 years". He said all he makes is "corn likr" I finally got him to tell me what his secret to making his shine is.
What he told me is that he always uses a copper thumper and also always sprouts the corn five days until you can just see the green sprout. He says that when the corn sprouts there is a chemical and flavor change that happens to the corn and that it ferments better.
I'm throwing this out there to get your opinions. I didn't know that the material the thumper was made out of was a big deal. The sprouting of the corn makes sense.
All I know is those that have had his liquor love it and then start fighting each other So, its got to be good....
Cheers
Just an opinion but far as the copper thumper goes Id think it was for taste . Some believe and Im one of them that ya need some copper in vapor path and in mash/wash.I can remember seeing steam outfits that Boiler was steel still was wood and only metal was thumper and worm being copper.I was always told if ya let corn sprouts turn green likker had more grassy taste rather then earthy
No matter how much they may love you, no old shinner will tell you his best kep t secrets-those he will take to the grave. After all, he bought and paid for all that knowledge through his hard work, keeping of secrets, long hours, and lifetime of learning what to do, what not, what works okay, and what works best. Sometimes it may be simply what to do when for the best results. Some inherent wisdom was just learned and becomes second hand and is not readily recognized as a "secret". The same secrets the ole timer takes to his grave remain to be found for thise who dont know. However, only time and effort will help unmystify these "secrets"!
Ga Flatwoods
The hardest item to add to a bottle of shine is patience!
I am still kicking.
Ga Flatwoods
ga flatwoods wrote:No matter how much they may love you, no old shinner will tell you his best kep t secrets-those he will take to the grave. After all, he bought and paid for all that knowledge through his hard work, keeping of secrets, long hours, and lifetime of learning what to do, what not, what works okay, and what works best. Sometimes it may be simply what to do when for the best results. Some inherent wisdom was just learned and becomes second hand and is not readily recognized as a "secret". The same secrets the ole timer takes to his grave remain to be found for thise who dont know. However, only time and effort will help unmystify these "secrets"!
Ga Flatwoods
So true . The cook has to drink the mistakes . That leads to fewer mistakes ..............
If you ain't the lead dog in the team , the scenery never changes . Ga Flatwoods made my avatar and I want to thank him for that .
Don't drink water , fish fornicate in it .
goose eye wrote:Problem is they don't know what they know.
figure everybody knows it.
So I'm tole
So much said with so few words. Goose your a gold mine
Some inherent wisdom was just learned and becomes second hand and is not readily recognized as a "secret". The same secrets the ole timer takes to his grave remain to be found for thise who dont know.
That is what I said as well goose. Agree.
ga flatwoods
The hardest item to add to a bottle of shine is patience!
I am still kicking.
Ga Flatwoods
So, its got to be good.... 
