The hidden importance of whiskey is its value as *money*.
That is, rural or wilderness farmers have a hard time getting their crops to market before they spoil. And they did so unaware if other farmers had good or bad harvests, so they could not predict the value of their crops.
Converting any surplus or late crop to whiskey solves that problem. Easy to transport, doesn’t spoil, maintains its value.
And VERY Taxable, if found....