Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine Original

Aroma: An immediate wave of ethanol, faint vanilla, a hint of lemon zest… and little else. Taste: Ethanol accompanied by notes of popcorn, acetic acid, and acetone. The texture is somewhat oily, but not unpleasant. Finish: Short. Unexpectedly citrusy. The aroma was surprising. I anticipated bland vodka-like scents with some corn undertones, but it was slightly more engaging. It does possess the characteristic sweet vanilla of vodka, along with a mild citrus hint. The taste follows suit, and the finish concludes with a peppery citrus flavor. Not as disappointing as expected, but certainly not praiseworthy. I found it adequate but overpriced, and I would never consider purchasing a full bottle. This spirit can only be meaningfully compared to other moonshines or vodkas. Lacking experience with other corn moonshines, I can't offer a comparison there, but relative to vodka, it brought to mind the Citron Absolut I sampled previously, though I preferred that vodka overall. Not terrible, and in a post-apocalyptic scenario where I'm forced to drink homemade moonshine from questionable ingredients, I might look back on this fondly... but not before then. Sampled from a 50ml official tasting portion. A full bottle costs AUD$86, a price that will amuse me for days to come. "Adequate": 72/100 (2 stars)

Aroma - buttery popcorn, brown butter, creamy vanilla, clarified butter, black pepper, nutmeg, clove, with a noticeable ethanol burn. Taste - buttery popcorn, creamy vanilla, brown butter, nutmeg, black pepper, rich simple syrup, clarified butter, a moderate alcohol presence, concluding with medium-short notes of buttery popcorn, black pepper, and baking spices. This spirit offers an overwhelming buttery character. Variations of buttery popcorn, brown butter, and clarified butter dominate. Beyond the buttery notes, there are subtle baking spices and pepper, but little else. While acknowledging this is a white whiskey, I included it for comparison. It holds its own against vodkas. I don't consider it superior to every vodka I've tried, but it ranks highly. It presents more aromas and flavors, which is advantageous. Overall, I would not purchase a bottle, but it proved far more palatable than anticipated. It's surprisingly close to Jim Beam Original, though I might prefer that one slightly.

Once you get past the strong ethanol fumes, you'll discover a surprising buttery and nutty aroma, along with corn notes, which isn't unexpected given its 80% corn composition. I consume a lot, so this didn't sting much, though I imagine it would be noticeable as a shot. They put effort into making this a pleasant experience. On the palate, it resembles salted caramel candies. I can't recall the brand but will add it if I remember. It also brings to mind the Buttered Popcorn Jelly Belly. Other opinions weren't wrong about the buttery taste, though there's also some sort of nut. My best guess is walnut, but I'm not current on my nut identification. It's present and pleasant, though. The finish is ethanol, so be ready for that. This would actually make an interesting addition to cocktails when you desire whiskey and butter notes. Peculiar!

There's no such thing as bad whisky - except maybe this Ole Smoky 'moonshine'. It's an exception to the rule. Hidden deceptively in its plain jar, the spirit assaults the nose with buttered popcorn, faint laundry smells, and stinging ethanol. The initial sip burns your palate, followed by corn sweetness, nail polish remover, and a bitter, herbal note. It rushes down your throat with fury, settling in your stomach like a rock, while a song about heartburn plays in your mind. I believe this potent liquor deserves a new rating category. RATING: 0.5/5.0 stars ≙ 30 pts → MALICIOUS

This is pure "firewater"... the only flavors are corn mash and high-octane jet fuel. If you want to get extremely intoxicated, this is your drink. At 100 proof, it has a different kick than a Wild Turkey 101... this one creeps up on you but will literally leave you in beastmode for hours. I suggest mixing it with cranberry juice or ginger ale for the best enjoyment. Either way, you're going to get lit! 🥃Cheers!

Imagine the smell of a Diesel engine combined with burnt rubber, then add a nearby fart and the scent of rubbing alcohol; that's what this is like. I did improve it by steeping it with blueberries and strawberries for several weeks.