Moonshine, Whiskey, or Moonshine Whiskey

[*MoonShine*]

Did the Ole' Timers make "Moonshine" in a reflux still or pot still.

Or is it all "Moonshine"?

I understant "Moonshining" is a verb, but does it come from a pot still or reflux?

[junkyard dawg]

mostly pot I bet...

[golden pond]

Pot still ofcourse, some used thumpers and that's about it. From the early 1900's on, most was a grain, sugar mash.

[Aidas]

I'm sure that when the term originated, everyone was potstilling...

Aidas

[AllanD]

The term "moonshine" supposedly dates back to Smuggling
of french brandy into Scotland and northern england literally
"by the light of the moon".

It has come to be an english language synonym for "illicit spirit" of any description....

Though the term is generic it can be used as a specific with other words
and by context.

It would be presumed that if a place name were associated with it you'd have a good idea of method...
Thus mentioning any state in the american south would likely indicate the principal ingredients of sugar and corn. (unless further specified.)
If OTOH you specified some more northern areas you might see Rye or Rye/Corn mixtures, again with sugar a possibility.

Jamacians sometimes refer to their illicit rum as "moonshine"

In apple growing regions applejack moonshine (either or both names can be used) would be common. Sussex county NJ used to be famous for applejack production...

And I doubt that any of them traditionally used anything other than potstills with a "thumper" as most people would call it...
(though a "thumper" can be quite a different thing depending on exactly how it is built and used...)

AllanD


AllanD

[possum]

And applejack dosen't even need a still, just cold weather... though it can be made in a still.

If it is made by the light of the moon (covertly) it is moonshine in my book.