Moonshine - Ever drunk it? Did you Like it? Would you try it?
By gifana
@gifana (4833)
Portugal
January 6, 2007 12:32pm CST
Have you ever drunk any real "moonshine"? By real I mean the illegal kind which is not scrutinized by the proper government authorities. It is similar to tequila but more potent. Kind of like a poorman's cognac. I have to admit it took me quite awhile to get used to it because it always smelled like petrolium. Then, to my regret, someone offered me some home-made stuff and it was love at first gulp.
Here in Portugal I have lots of friends who make it. They have grape vines on their fazendas (same as haciendas) and after making the wine they use the remainders to make aguardiente (fire water) Some of it is excellent while others are just so so. Processed aguadente is nauseating.
There is much less homemade aguardente now because the govt placed a tax of 5 euros (c. $6) a bottle even for personal use. But fortunately there are some who still make it for themselves and friends.
1 person likes this
7 responses
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
8 Jan 07
Many years ago when we first bought our farm and before I had the vegetable garden established I used to buy fruit from some farmers a few kms away. Great idea except they wouldn't sell any to me unless I had some of their home made vino, made from the grapes that they grew specifically for that purpose. YEEK
No way could I ask my husband to get the vegetables because he would never be able to drive home. This stuff was very potent. I generally got away with it by having only a little sip saying I had to drive AND I always took our son with me too. They continued making this stuff for many years and lots of people used to visit there, but I quickly learnt that I needed my own vegetable patch. :)
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
8 Jan 07
You kill me with all your tales. ROFLMAO. yeah if you are not careful it sure can knock you out of your knickers, that's for sure. This response is a relief from the previous one, let me tell you. Did you take your garden patch with you to your son's house? Just curious.
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
8 Jan 07
Most definately we have our vegetable patch here too gifana, although when we are away we have our young friend look after it for us. I also have heaps of herbs growing but they are mostly in pots for easier handling. I am so pleased that I could provide you with some light relief after the previous respondent.
1 person likes this
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
8 Jan 07
Just thinking about this vino is bringing a bad taste to my mouth gifana. :)
Yes I have certainly met some very interesting people in my life and generally because I can be nice (sometimes) I end up in all sorts of bother like habing to taste home made vino.
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@Chapman15 (1492)
• United States
9 Jan 07
Never had it, but I have had everclear I think it was something like 180 proof... Wow, that was probably the dirtiest shot I've ever taken... I think I even shed a tear!
1 person likes this
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
8 Jan 07
I have never drinken moonshine - but when I went to Mexico I drank tequila that the Mayans make. It's kind of like moonshine - it's not scrutinized by the government and they can't sell it.
My mom has made homemade liquoer before.
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@wmg2006 (5381)
• United States
24 Jan 07
I was given a jar of moonshine way back from a friend in Alabama. It looked very clear like water and smelled very strong. I remember when I drank it burned all the way to my soul! I didn't care for it all. I like gin and rum and had thought it might taste like that, but was I ever wrong. I can't describe the taste because it burned so bad. LOL
1 person likes this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
26 Jan 07
There are different kinds of moonshine and each has it's individual taste....which makes it very difficult to describe by anyone. I can't describe any of those I have drunk but the one thing all of them have in common, as you said, is that on the first swallow it burns like the dickens....however, after a few swallows it's "pleasant" and doesn't burn at all...hardly.
@Marshell (60)
• United States
6 Jan 07
Boy you bought back a sore memory! I drank some good old Kentucky 'shine that a friend had. I was fine and could not figure out what all the BS was about; until I had to go to the bathroom, that is!
I stood up, I sat down. I had to be physically helped to the bathroom. I was already drunk, so , not listening to my friends, I continued to drink more. I took back things I never stole!
Needless to say I suffered for a few days on that one!
