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Tequila, a type of mezcal spirit, traditionally made in Mexico, is made from the blue agave plant (agave azul). The piña, or core of the agave plant is typically steamed in a horno, a large oven. The core of an agave plant can weigh up to 300lbs making it difficult to harvest, transport, and cook.  The cores are typically harvested at a smaller size, between 50-120lbs.  The traditional ovens are quite large to accommodate several piñas at once, and are often made of clay or stone. There are several types of agave that are grown in different regions of Mexico and used...

If you're looking to make true moonshine, the clear unaged whiskey of the Appalachians and beyond, you'll need a good, reliable still.  A moonshine still is often seen as a large copper monstrosity, roughly put together, sealed with rye flour paste, and directly heated over a wood fire, but that was more so a matter of necessity than convenience for old moonshiners.  The old timers didn't want anyone to assemble such a large still for them, leaving knowledge of their intent with someone else, and a possible paper trail to their operation. Building the still themselves would also save money. ...

Traditionally made moonshine at home or by a home distiller is illegal.  Moonshine can be made legally by a commercial distiller.  Moonshine is simply an unaged corn whiskey that historically has been made illegally. The simple answer when it comes to whether you can distill spirits like moonshine at home is- no, it is likely not legal to make.  This isn't true in a few places around the world like New Zealand or Russia where it's legal to distill at home. But, in most Western countries, including the United States, it is completely illegal to distill spirits at home, for...

What is moonshine is a common question but also can be a complex question as it varied greatly. Simply put, moonshine is an unaged whiskey, which would typically be made with grain, usually a large amount of corn.  It's sometimes made with just a dextrose (corn sugar) base and flavored with corn during fermentation, or even post distillation.  It can be diluted, flavored or sweetened, or drank uncut (undiluted). Any way you enjoy moonshine, it should start as clear and unaged, having had no oak or barrel time, have a corn flavor and aroma, and between 80 proof and 180 proof, which...