October 21, 2009
Talk of the South
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Virginia Lightning Corn Whiskey is distilled the old-fashioned way with fresh homegrown corn.
Right photo courtesy of Patricia Lyons
Good Eats
Mail Order ’Shine
Boutique moonshine brands may be popping up across the South, but we’re still partial to the outfit that first made legal hooch. Chuck Miller of Belmont Farms Distillery in Virginia has been brewing fine ’shine since 1987, but his recipe goes back to his grandfather’s bootlegging days.
In a process regulated by the state government, Miller plants and harvests his own corn and distills the subsequent mash in a giant copper kettle. The end product is 150 proof, but in a concession that might have made his grandfather just plain sick, Miller waters the batch down to a more palatable 100 proof.
We’re not complaining, though—the taste is smooth, perfect for sipping. And bringing it home is as easy as ordering online. The distillery offers two options, Virginia Lightning (white) and Kopper Kettle (a traditional char). The only drawback is that Miller’s moonshine can’t ship to all states, including North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Georgia, and Virginia.
If you’re one of the unlucky few, plan a trip to see Miller in action (he’s open April through December), and grab a bottle or two straight from the source. Just don’t load up the trunk or Johnny Law might bust you for bootlegging.
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