Why is moonshine still available in the US, can't you just buy whiskey at the store?

Answer 1

Some people prefer 'shine to whiskey, they are different. There is also the name, some poeple find it a bit taboo, to drink moonshine. Many people like to brag about drinking 'shine, like it is something special. While most people think of moonshine as illegal, it can be legal if the manufacturer is registered with the federal government and pays their alchohol tax. There are a few stores around here that sell moonshine legally. It is only illegal if you are making it without the governments permision. With the price of liquor being as low as it is now, it is rare to find any illegal moonshine. Its hardly worthwhile anymore. During the days of prohibition there was alot of profit in it. In the 1930's moonshine sold for 10 dollars or more a gallon, which today would be equivalent to over 100 dollars now.

Moonshine is considered whiskey, but it is quite different from jack daniels, , wild turkey, etc...or as the older generation (from the days of prohibition)call it "government whiskey". Both can be made from corn (some govt wiskey is made with other grains, or other grains in combination with corn, 'shine is ususlly all corn), but Moonshine is clear, and generaly straight out of the still (after being proofed with water to around 80-100 proof). Comercial whiskeys are made with a blend of grains, filtered and aged in oak barrels, giving them their brown color and distinct taste. 'Shine taste much different, more sweet corn flavor, often harsh (depending on the maker), whereas whiskey is still sweet, but much more mellow, very little (in some cases none) corn flavor, with hints of oak.

While moonshine can be stronger, it is rarely over 120 proof, usually 80 to 100 proof. Anything over that is too strong to drink straight.

Most american brands today are a combination of rye or wheat, and corn. All bourbon by definition contains at least half corn, some more. While there is straight corn whiskey sold, It isn't as popular as blended whiskey

Answer 2

Whiskey is typically around 80 proof, while moonshine can go all the way up to 199 proof.

Answer 3

Moonshine is cheaper because it's underground and hence, untaxed.

Like cigarettes, legal liquor is a major source of income for the government. The percentage the government makes off booze is even greater than the taxes they get from gasoline: it far exceeds the profits of the producer. But then, the government makes more off each gallon of Exxon gas than Exxon did last year.

It's good to be king.

Answer 4

No tax on the still illegal moonshine and some people like it for that reason. My neighboor makes apple wine and moonshine. and its much better than anything in the store.

Answer 5

Alcohol - any alcohol - is a colourless liquid. The colour in whisky, as Sarah Jane has suggested, comes from the barrel in which it is matured. Moonshine, of course, is not matured. Having said which, some distillers might well add a small amount of colouring to their brands simply to keep their appearance consistent. Some Manx whisky, incidentally, is colourless - but it tastes of whisky nevertheless.

Answer 6

Moonshine is a lot stronger than anything you will find in a store.

Answer 7

1:you can't find anything as high proof as shine in most areas.
2:It is cheaper to make your own.And 3:It is the only way some old timers can survive.

When you've done something for 50+ years it's all you know and your only source of income you keep on doing it.

Answer 8

Store-bought whiskey is for uppity city folk.

Answer 9

They don't sell whiskey distilled from corn in the liquor shops where I live. If they did, I'd buy it.