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The History of Moonshine

Moonshine is a homemade fermented corn whiskey distilled in a variety of cooking pots. Named in England for the night runners who smuggled brandy from France, untaxed and illegal liquor has been manufactured in the American South for decades.

In 1794, a federal tax on whiskey evoked a Whiskey Rebellion among frontier farmers. In response, many built their own distillers and produced their own liquor. Liquor was typically produced for family consumption.

Automobiles were modified to drive at high speeds to avoid federal agents trying to seize the moonshine and obtain the revenue or federal taxes. Bootleggers often raced the cars they used for deliveries. The races evolved to what is known as NASCAR today.

Cosby, Tennessee claims to be the “moonshine capital of the world”, and claims that even today, there are over 200 stills operating in Cocke County, averaging production of over 20 gallons a day per still.