The Best Legal Moonshine. Know Your Rights - Moonshine Laws. Is Making Moonshine Legal? Moonshine is illegal in Tennessee—at least in the way it's consumed in this shed. Unless you are a licensed distiller (and by licensed there are federal, state and local licenses required) you cannot distill alcohol for drinking anywhere in the United States. Is Making Moonshine Legal? There are federal and state laws regulating home distilling. No. And, until recently, it was both homemade and illegal. Unless the thought of digging ditches with chains around your ankles is appealing, you better read this article on the legalities of making moonshine very closely. Can you legally make your own moonshine in Tennessee? Popcorn Sutton's Tennessee White Whiskey (Nashville, TN) Made using the recipe of fabled ‘shiner Popcorn Sutton, this 93 proof corn and sugar "likker" hits the sweet-spicy balance with a punch. Making Moonshine At Home Is On The Rise. But It's Still Illegal : The Salt Let's be clear: Making spirits at home with plans to drink it remains against federal law, folks. When you break it down, moonshine is really just a high-proof spirit. Can you legally make your own moonshine in Tennessee? “Moonshine, by definition, is any high proof spirit that’s illegally distilled,” says Nicole Pearlman of Ole Smoky Distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee — the first legal moonshine distillery in a state known for its history of moonshine production. In the 2010s, several counties in Tennessee decided “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” And, so moonshine became legal and taxable. There are federal and state laws regulating home distilling. Despite the Appalachian stereotypes, not everyone swigs moonshine just for fast, cheap intoxication. Though, if you talk to shopkeepers in Bristol, they’ll confirm that good ole boys are still making illegal ‘shine down in … (In some states, you can purchase a legal version of moonshine from commercial distillers.) See Full Answer 18. Legal in the United States since 2010, moonshine is defined as "clear, unaged whiskey", typically made with corn mash as its main ingredient.

Ole Smoky, Tennessee's first "legal" moonshine distillery, is a popular tourist destination in this state. Now legal in parts of the United States, American "moonshine" is proving a hit around the world. Unless you are a licensed distiller (and by licensed there are federal, state and local licenses required) you cannot distill alcohol for drinking anywhere in the United States. But you can subdue its potent taste by flavoring it with almost any fruit, including watermelon, peach, strawberry, raspberry, apple, lime or lemon. Here's some fun stuff to know before you visit. That said, transportation of moonshine must be done properly and with appropriate permits to avoid felony charges.