Bust in PA

[Single Malt Yinzer]

https://wjactv.com/news/local/blce-port ... r-30-years

A Centre County couple has been charged for illegally producing and selling moonshine for the better part of three decades, according to a criminal complaint.

an undercover BLCE officer made four separate purchases of the illegal moonshine from the couple, which they sold for $60 per gallon jug.

The officer stated that when he first met with the McCleesters, they explained that their moonshine recipe had been passed down to them and that it came from "legendary moonshiner" and former NASCAR driver Junior Johnson.

[Dancing4dan]

Don’t suppose they shared the recipe…

[Hillbilly Popstar]

I hate when these bust articles come out and they don't share pictures of their still.

[Bushman]

I am wondering why it took four purchases before a bust unless it was to gain confidence to find out where the product was being produced.

[Hillbilly Popstar]

I am wondering why it took four purchases before a bust unless it was to gain confidence to find out where the product was being produced.

Maybe the product was just that good?

[Deplorable]

We're all breaking the law (well most of us).
I'm conflicted. I don't agree with the prohibition of home distilling, but if you sell, and get caught, then it's your own damned fault.
Don't sell, and you'll likely not get pinched.

[Tummydoc]

$60/gallon seems realistic. When the TV show characters claim they get over $200/gallon for stripping run pot liquor....... I just shake my head. Also call BS when they stick their finger in a finished ferment before distilling and claim it's delicious. Sorry for the digression.

[Bushman]

I am wondering why it took four purchases before a bust unless it was to gain confidence to find out where the product was being produced.

Maybe the product was just that good?

[squigglefunk]

Also call BS when they stick their finger in a finished ferment before distilling and claim it's delicious.

why? if your ferment doesn't taste good how is your distillate supposed to taste?

[Hillbilly Popstar]

Also call BS when they stick their finger in a finished ferment before distilling and claim it's delicious.

why? if your ferment doesn't taste good how is your distillate supposed to taste?

Simple. Esterification.

The same way dunder that goes in smelling like puke and mold, comes out tasting like banana and pineapple.

No offense. But by your logic all whiskey should taste just like beer without hops.

[Stonecutter]

I think my ferments smell delicious, the taste is sour and not very appealing unless I’m drunk and decide to have a sample. I understand, as far as whiskey mash is concerned, that it’s better to let the infection get over the puke smell before you run it.

[Tummydoc]

Yup, tastes sour when completed, not delicious

[squigglefunk]

Simple. Esterification.

The same way dunder that goes in smelling like puke and mold, comes out tasting like banana and pineapple.

No offense. But by your logic all whiskey should taste just like beer without hops.

no offense taken, my mashes never smell like puke or mold, and they taste fine, like a very dry beer. Puke and mold = infection ... a little sanitation goes a long way eh?

i didn't say it comes out of the still tasting the same way anywhere I just said it tastes good. some people like beer and some people like four loko

[Hillbilly Popstar]

Simple. Esterification.

The same way dunder that goes in smelling like puke and mold, comes out tasting like banana and pineapple.

No offense. But by your logic all whiskey should taste just like beer without hops.

no offense taken, my mashes never smell like puke or mold, and they taste fine, like a very dry beer. Puke and mold = infection ... a little sanitation goes a long way eh?

i didn't say it comes out of the still tasting the same way anywhere I just said it tastes good. some people like beer and some people like four loko

Well myself and many others on this forum more than welcome a lively infection in our ferments. Most infections are a net improvement on the resulting spirit. Sanitization is overrated in distillation.

[Johnny_Mac]

"The officer stated that when he first met with the McCleesters"

McCleesters.... With a name like that, they had to be moonshiners.