When I was a stripling lad, I helped run off 30 gallons of moonshine in rural British Columbia that was smoother than premium rye. It was beautiful whiskey. Once you diluted it a little , to 40% or so alcohol content, anyone could drink it straight-up without mixing it...no gagging. That could get you drunk in a hurry!
Of course, bootlegging and homemade booze is a Canadian tradition. Home-made hootch keeps you warm at hockey games, eh?