Southwind corn whiskey moonshine began when two artists, Maxime Berthou and Mark Polep, took an old paddle steamer down the Mississippi River exactly 1712 miles of it. After two years of preparation the month-and-a-half journey took the pair through 10 states during the record-breaking 2019 floods. The 21-foot steamboat mostly putted along happily at up to 4 miles per hour (3.5 knots), though not without incident while the flooding provided a lot of driftwood for fuel, it also caused the rudder to break 3 times. The wood-fired engine took lots of hard work, with the pair working in 2-hour shifts. The duo had set out with several goals in mind: The adventure would serve as a basis for a book and film, but more importantly for us they would gather several samples of corn along the way from at least 10 different producers and create a moonshine once the journey was completed. But they couldn't just go about creating the moonshine the ordinary way. Once they moored in New Orleans, the boat was transformed into a floating distillery, producing moonshine from the 42 corn varieties they gathered from 10 different states. With the help of Big Easy's own Seven Three Distilling the pair created Southwind a moonshine that tells the story of the Mississippi River and their epic undertaking. 

2009 was the year the State of Tennessee decided to change its laws, allowing the making of moonshine for the very first time in over a century. Ole Smoky was co-founded by Joe Baker in Tennessee, and the brand has created a broad range of flavored Moonshine and more than a dozen Whiskeys, as well as canned ready-to-drink cocktails. Touting themselves as Appalachian born and bred, the Ole Smoky family was among the first to step foot in the Smoky Mountains. They craft their whiskeys using time-honored traditions of whiskey making. Quickly following Tennessee's change in state law which permitted the distillation of spirits, Baker got to work crafting one of a kind, mountain-made moonshine, making Ole Smoky the first federally-licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee. Their whiskey lineup includes Mango Habanero, Cinnamon, Root Beer, Peach, Peanut Butter, Vanilla Bean, Cookies & Cream, and several other expressions. Ole Smoky Butter Pecan Moonshine is among their lower-proof flavored offerings, clocking in at 35 proof. Flavored with butter, cream, toasted pecans, and caramel, with their own moonshine serving as the backbone, it's a super-creamy twist on the classic flavor combination.

2009 was the year the State of Tennessee decided to change its laws, allowing the making of moonshine for the very first time in over a century. Ole Smoky was co-founded by Joe Baker in Tennessee, and the brand has created a broad range of flavored Moonshine and more than a dozen Whiskeys, as well as canned ready-to-drink cocktails. Touting themselves as Appalachian born and bred, the Ole Smoky family was among the first to step foot in the Smoky Mountains. They craft their whiskeys using time-honored traditions of whiskey making. Quickly following Tennessee's change in state law which permitted the distillation of spirits, Baker got to work crafting one of a kind, mountain-made moonshine, making Ole Smoky the first federally-licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee. Their whiskey lineup includes Mango Habanero, Cinnamon, Root Beer, Peach, Peanut Butter, Vanilla Bean, Cookies & Cream, and several other expressions. At 35 proof the Ole Smoky Moonshine Mountain Java is among their lower-alcohol-content offerings. It has a creamy profile with coffee notes throughout and a dash of vanilla that is great for perking up a cup of coffee or as a cocktail ingredient think White Russian.

The Firefly Story

The first Firefly Distillery, just 30 minutes outside of Charleston, SC. was the birthplace of Firefly Spirits. It is where the founders, Jim Irvin and Scott Newitt, came up with the crazy idea to build a distillery in the ‘middle of nowhere,’ and make the world’s first Sweet Tea Vodka. That crazy idea was a destination known for its genuine southern hospitality, fine quality spirits and innovation.

Firefly Distillery was founded by Jim Irvin & Scott Newitt. Jim is a scientist. Scott is a visionary. Jim had a winery. Scott was in the wine business. That’s how they met, became friends and soon realized they both shared a crazy idea to build a distillery; something that proved to be much easier said than done.

It’s all legal and it always has been at Firefly. As the company was being formed, Jim and Scott wanted to avoid expensive licensing fees, not to mention confrontations with “The Law.” So they did their own lobbying and got a bill passed into state law that made it affordable and legal to distill, sample and purchase bottled spirits at a distillery in South Carolina.* This historic event opened the opportunity for Firefly to establish their homeplace distillery and grow Firefly into a nationally recognized all-American spirit brand.

Scott & Jim did not have a big budget to buy a still so they built their own from scratch. It was a 55 gallon stainless steel tank on top of a propane burner that is now on display in their Tasting Room. They got it fired up and began distilling. First they made Muscadine vodka, distilled from Jim’s grapes. Scott tells it, “We started with the grapes and we made grappa. But grappa tastes like grappa and I had to sell the stuff so we wanted to come up with something else. Then we made The Original Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, which is now our flagship brand.

The Strawberry Moonshine is South Carolina sweet but it packs a punch so don’t be fooled by its pretty package.

Maker Notes

Midnight Moon is inspired by Junior Johnson’s family moonshine recipe and - true to the roots of moonshine - it is made from 100% American corn and handcrafted in small batches.

However, we use a state-of-the-art distillation process to make a superior quality spirit that’s very clean and ultra-smooth. Midnight Moon does not have the harsh, heavy corn taste people often associate with illegal moonshine. It’s then blended with ultra-clean water that has been through a five-step filtration process, and the result is a very smooth spirit with a subtle sweetness from the corn.

Midnight Moon was officially born when Piedmont Distillers, North Carolina's first legal distillery since Prohibition, called on Junior at the mechanics shop on his old farm to taste-test what would become Midnight Moon Original. Junior sipped, smiled, and gave two thumbs up to the best damn moonshine ever made.

When life gives you blueberries, throw 'em in a jar of 'shine to soak. Our Midnight Moon Blueberry is hand-filled with delicious blueberries so the flavor and color can infuse with the 100 proof (50% ALC./VOL.) Midnight Moon. As the spirit ages, the flavor intensifies for a sweeter side of the Moon.

Discover the Irresistible Charm of Midnight Moon Blueberry Moonshine - Indulge in the Sweetness of Handcrafted Delight. Limited Edition!

Maker Notes

Midnight Moon is inspired by Junior Johnson’s family moonshine recipe and - true to the roots of moonshine - it is made from 100% American corn and handcrafted in small batches.

However, we use a state-of-the-art distillation process to make a superior quality spirit that’s very clean and ultra-smooth. Midnight Moon does not have the harsh, heavy corn taste people often associate with illegal moonshine. It’s then blended with ultra-clean water that has been through a five-step filtration process, and the result is a very smooth spirit with a subtle sweetness from the corn.

Midnight Moon was officially born when Piedmont Distillers, North Carolina's first legal distillery since Prohibition, called on Junior at the mechanics shop on his old farm to taste-test what would become Midnight Moon Original. Junior sipped, smiled, and gave two thumbs up to the best damn moonshine ever made.

Is there anything better than homemade strawberry jam in a jar? You bet. Meet Midnight Moon Strawberry, an infusion of strawberries into 100 proof (50% ALC./VOL.) Midnight Moon. The sweet, red berries release their flavor and color into the 'shine for a delicious taste that packs a punch.

Discover the Sensational Taste of Midnight Moon Strawberry Moonshine - Indulge in the Perfect Blend of Sweetness and Smoothness. Get a Taste of Moonshine Magic!

Forget whiskey, poitín is Ireland’s best kept secret. It’s been knocking around since the 6th century, making it the oldest spirit in the world. Mad stuff.

FACTS & FABLES

First distilled by monks (God bless you lads), the Irish enjoyed their poitín for a thousand years before it was banned by the Brits in 1661. But we’re resilient feckers and poitín never really went away.

It remained part of Irish drinking culture and was given names like Cratur, Mountain Dew, Mountain Tea and Devil’s Spittle. And you always knew a man, who knew a man, that could get you a bottle. Now legal again, poitín can be found on backbars all across Ireland, instead of under the counter.

At Mad March Hare, we use only the finest, locally sourced malted barley and distill three times in small copper pot stills in the traditional way. We then cut the spirit with Irish spring water to 40% ABV resulting in a drink that is full of character and exceptionally smooth. Sláinte!

Banana Pudding Sippin’ Cream honors a classic southern dessert bursting with flavors of banana, vanilla wafers, whipped cream, and sweet pudding. This cream liqueur offers a deep, rich taste paired with an ultra-smooth finish sure to satisfy the banana-lover in everyone.

Indulge in Sugarlands' Banana Pudding Appalachian Sippin' Cream - A Sweet Delight! | Creamy, banana-infused goodness that will leave you craving for more.

Made from a 200-year-old recipe, this un-aged corn whiskey upholds the historic traditions of American mountain moonshine. Drink it neat, or pair it with a variety of mixers.