January 2017

WINE WATCH
by Sheila and Bennet Bodenstein
With the end of Prohibition (1920-
1933) the anti-alcohol caucus
in the Congress was still very
strong. While they did give up their fight,
they managed to make the sale and
distribution as difficult as they possibly
could. To do so, they passed a series of
laws that insured the cost of an alcoholic
beverage would be as high as possible.
One of the laws that was instituted was
the three-tier distribution system, which
dictates that the producer (tier one) must
sell his product to a distributor (tier two),
and finally, the distributor must sell to
the retailer (tier three). The arithmetic is
simple here. Each set of these entities
must make profits, which dramatically
increases the price the consumer will
pay. This system is still in effect today.
But there is more.
The manufacture of alcohol by anyone
that was not a government anointed
producer was also forbidden under strict
penalties. This gave the myriad of illegal
backwoods distilleries, affectionately
referred to as moonshiners, an
opportunity to continue to practice
their trade by producing low cost,
but drinkable alcoholic beverages at
considerably lower prices than the “legal
stuff.” As a side note, the automobiles
that the bootleggers used to deliver their
product during the prohibition period
were souped up cars able to outrun
any “revenuer” car that may be chasing
them. These cars and their drivers
evolved into the NASCAR races we
enjoy today. But there is still more.
Home beer making, a “sport” that was
very popular during the prohibition,
remained illegal until 1978. The amusing
part about home beer making prior to
1978: All of the supplies to make beer at
home was legal to sell, including the malt
and hops. Today, home beer making has
become a popular hobby.
Why this long winded introduction to
the main subject? To prepare the reader
for what comes next, Sugarland Shine
of Gatlinburg Tennessee. Sugarland
Shine is a moonshine lookalike (it’s
even supplied in mason jars) that is
about as fine an alcohol beverage as
can be found. While Sugarland does
manufacture some of the familiar
varieties, they hang their hats on their
flavored beverages. Purists might frown
upon the newer flavored drinks, which
by the way are becoming very popular,
that can be enjoyed either as they
come or used to create a plethora of
individually designed cocktail drinks, and
perhaps even engender a new hobby,
mixology. I have picked out a few to tell
you about, but the entire line can be
viewed at sugarlandsdistilling.com
Sugarland Shine Root Beer
Moonshine ($24.99) Take quality
alcohol, infuse it with the natural
ingredients used in the root beer of old,
and you have Sugarland Shine Root
Beer Moonshine. The first sip is like a
time warp back to the Old West (sans
gunslingers). Although it is a bit stronger
than the root beer of long ago, it is a
drink that will happily remain in your
memory for a long time.
Sugarland Shine Unaged Rye
Moonshine ($24.99) This drink is
crystal clear with none of the color
or flavor imparted by aging barrels. If
you are a lover of rye whiskey, this rye
is a journey into the world of a pure
unadulterated beverage with none of the
external flavor and color trappings. This
whiskey produced the most vibrant and
delicious Bloody Mary that I have yet
experienced.
Sugarland Shine Southern Sweet
Tea Moonshine ($24.99) This offering
from Sugarland Shine raises sweet tea
to a new height of greatness. It is so
good that you may have a tendency to
overdo it; so please be careful.
Sugarland Shine Silver Cloud
Moonshine ($24.99) The name says
it all, smooth, no burn, and the perfect
replacement of vodka as a mixer.
Sugarland Shine Butterscotch
Gold Moonshine ($24.99) Gobs of
butterscotch offer a beautiful golden
color. Straight, it is an experience; as
a mixer, it is capable of producing
some astounding, interesting, and
novel cocktails. P
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JANUARY 2017