I am obviously a noob here, but not necessarily to making alcohol. I have made my own beers for about 25 years now, and have taken a stab at wines for the last several years. I am sure like all, I have come up with some good products in the past and some that will make you wish you didn't make five gallons of it. But, that is how your learn.
I have been lurking about for a short time, but have already spent countless hours reading. I am the type that will research and over analyze every purchase and venture, but also tend to go overboard when I get into it.
So lets get to what brought me here. I ran into a old co-worker and after some time talking, the fact of homemade spirits came up. He had just made a still, but had yet to do a run with it. He had moved to one of the southern states, and gave me some product to try. It was in a small jar with marashino cherries in it. I have to say it was the smoothest shine I have ever tried. Now knowing what can be made out there, I decided to see if it was something I can do on my own (because that's how I am - I don't like to buy, but do it).
Years ago a relative on my wife's side gave us a plaque with a picture of a old log cabin and the family shine recipe. I am thinking, how cool would it be to recreate it and see what it tasted like? My side of the family also made shine during the prohibition period, and my grandfather had to go away to college for a year (as we were told). Unfortunately I do not have his recipe, but I have looked over many others on this site for reference and some look fantastic.
So far this site has given me the most knowledge on the processes, and I greatly appreciate you all sharing your skills and experiences. It will probably be a little while before I make my first run as I am gathering the necessary items now, but until then, Cheers!
