Proposal could allow distilleries to cash in on moonshine

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005 | ERIK SCHELZIG -- Associated Press Writer

[Willie Green]

SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. (AP) -- Tired of tourists' constant questions about where to get hold of some moonshine, vintner Rodney Facemire decided to build his own - legal distillery.

"They kept asking where they could buy some illegal moonshine, and I couldn't tell them," Facemire said. "I had no idea!"

Despite producing Southern Moon Corn Liquor at his federally licensed distillery in Nicholas County since 2002, Facemire has had trouble getting it into the hands of the very tourists who are so eager to get a taste of the legendary beverage.

While Facemire is free to sell his Kirkwood wine from The Kirkwood Winery, which he started in 1984, West Virginia law prohibits him from selling his Isaiah Morgan-brand spirits at the distillery. That right is reserved for the 159 state-licensed liquor stores. Facemire can only sell his spirits to the state.

[mountaineer]

I remember tasting some moonshine my uncle bought near Helvetia, WV, about 30 years ago. Yikes! Powerful stuff!

[sierrahome]

Quality Shine is pretty rough stuff but the shine made completely of sugar, no way...just no freaking way.

[marine86297]

The best is strawberry shine, the shine itself is red and you don't drink it, you just eat the white strawberries and hold on for the ride.

[montanus]

I remember tasting some moonshine my uncle bought near Helvetia, WV, about 30 years ago. Yikes! Powerful stuff! Shhhhhhhhh.... There is no moonshine production in the Helvetia / Pickens area. It is all a myth.

[DManA]

Leave the jail door open for Otis.

[saleman]

Like they say, there's 'shine made for drinking and shine made for selling. Alcohol comes out of the still at about 185 proof. I can tell you from experience you don't want to take a big drink of that. You want it about 100 to 110 proof. All you have to do is add a little water and your ready to go. Making 'shine is actually easy. Easier than beer or wine. And I promise, once you drink some damn good shine you'll be through with store bought liquor.

[mountaineer]

Oh yes, you're right. I forgot.

[reagandemo]

I hear tell of some people that used to buy used whiskey barrels (readily available around these parts of Ky)and fill them with shine. After letting them sit for about a year the stuff that came out was pretty darn good. At least that's what I hear...

[saleman]

If you look at the governments definition of Vodka, that's exactly what Moonshine is. If you age it in barrels it becomes bourbon. All alcohol is clear. It gets its color after it's distilled. From charred barrels (bourbon), peat smoked barley (scotch) etc. I like a blend of rye and corn. Rye's sweet, corn kinda hot, you put them together it's just right!

[reagandemo]

Yet too much work I hear though. I prefer going to the local package store and buying a bottle of Woodford Reserve. Now they have it down to an art!