Moonshine refers to illegally produced distilled spirits, often associated with the Appalachian region of the United States. Palmetto moonshine specifically refers to moonshine made in the state of South Carolina, which has a long history and culture around illicit liquor production. In this article, we will explore the key areas where Palmetto moonshine production has historically been concentrated in South Carolina and factors that contributed to its popularity in the state.
What is moonshine?
Moonshine is high-proof distilled spirit, often made from corn mash, produced illegally without government authorization. The term “moonshine” comes from distributors producing and transporting whiskey at night under the light of the moon to avoid detection by law enforcement. Traditional moonshine is unaged and derives its flavor from the ingredients used, typically corn meal, sugar, and water. It is distilled to a high alcohol concentration, often 150-180 proof. Moonshine production and distribution became a huge underground industry in parts of the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during Prohibition when the sale of alcohol was banned nationally. Even after Prohibition ended in 1933, moonshine production continued in rural areas where residents had acquired a taste for the iconic liquor and as a source of extra income for struggling farmers. Although illegal at the federal level, enforcement against moonshining has waxed and waned over the years.
History of moonshine in South Carolina
South Carolina has a long and storied history when it comes to moonshine production. Illicit whiskey distilling took hold across the state as early as the late 18th century as a profitable cottage industry for farmers. The climate and soil in parts of South Carolina are well-suited to growing corn and grains used to make moonshine mash. The Appalachian mountain foothills in the western part of the state also provided remote and rugged terrain where moonshine stills could be hidden from authorities.
During Prohibition in the 1920s and early 1930s, South Carolina became a bootlegging hotspot, with moonshine and illegal liquor smuggled throughout the state from distillers to speakeasies and private customers. The most famous moonshine maker of this era was Willie Carter Sharpe, sometimes called the “Moonshine King” or “King of the Bootleggers” in South Carolina. Based in Edgefield County, he ran an extensive moonshine operation throughout Prohibition.
Even after the nationwide ban on alcohol ended in 1933, moonshining continued across South Carolina both for supplemental income and as an ingrained cultural tradition. Enforcement of liquor laws ebbed and flowed over the decades, allowing illicit distilling to thrive in more remote rural areas.
Key regions for Palmetto moonshine production
Several areas of South Carolina gained reputations as moonshine capitals of the Palmetto State where distillers could readily find corn and grain for mash, wood for barrel aging, and ample hiding spots for stills in the foothills and swamps.
Edgefield County
Located on the western border of South Carolina near Georgia, Edgefield County became famous for moonshine production back to the late 1700s. Its fertile farmland allowed distillers to grow ample corn, rye, and barley for mash. The Sumter National Forest provided remote wooded areas for hiding moonshine stills. Willie Carter Sharpe was the best known moonshiner from the Edgefield area.
Greenville County
Greenville County in the Appalachian foothills has a long history with moonshine, with ample remote terrain for hiding illegal stills. Dark Corner, the historic name for a wilderness area on the borders of Greenville and Spartanburg counties, was known as a hotbed of moonshining activity back to the late 1800s.
Horry County
Along the northern coast of South Carolina, Horry County emerged as a booming moonshine producer starting in the 1920s, which locals attribute to the area’s relative isolation which allowed illicit stills to go undetected more easily. The unique geography of Horry County, with its swamplands along the Waccamaw River and lightly populated tobacco farms, made it an ideal place for moonshiners to set up operations.
Marlboro County
Marlboro County, in the northeastern Pee Dee region of South Carolina, also developed a significant moonshine tradition. With a predominantly agricultural economy, corn and grains for distilling were abundantly available. The remote swamps and forestland provided cover for hidden stills. Marlboro County was reputed to be a hotspot of illegal whiskey production as early as the late 1700s.
Factors driving Palmetto moonshine history
Several key factors allowed moonshining to take hold so extensively across these parts of South Carolina and become integral to the state’s cultural history:
– Agriculture: The agriculture of these areas provided ample corn, rye and other grains to make moonshine mash in large quantities. Crops like tobacco also put extra cash in farmers’ pockets.
– Prohibition: National Prohibition from 1920-1933 created massive demand for illegal liquor and allowed moonshining to explode as a major underground enterprise.
– Poverty: During the Great Depression and other periods of economic hardship, moonshining provided vital supplemental income for struggling rural farmers when agriculture alone didn’t pay the bills.
– Geography: The isolated, wooded foothills and swamps of these counties allowed moonshiners to more easily conceal operations.
– Culture: Generations of distillers passing down moonshining techniques cemented it as a cultural tradition. Light enforcement allowed it to continue even after Prohibition.
– Outlaw allure: Moonshiners like Willie Carter Sharpe became folk heroes, building moonshining’s reputation as a romanticized illegal activity.
Moonshine production methods and ingredients
Traditional South Carolina moonshine uses a simple production process, although techniques can vary between different distillers.
Ingredients
– Cornmeal – The most traditional main ingredient of moonshine mash. Provides starch that gets converted to alcohol.
– Sugar – Added to the mash to increase alcohol content through fermentation.
– Yeast – Converts starch and sugar to alcohol. Distillers may use bread yeast, brewer’s yeast or still skimmings.
– Grains – Malted barley, rye or wheat are sometimes added to the mash.
– Fruits – Occasionally used by some moonshiners, added for extra flavor.
Process
– Making the mash – Cornmeal is cooked with water, then mixed with sugar, yeast, and any other grains or ingredients. This mash is allowed to ferment.
– Distilling – The fermented mash is heated in a still, boiling off and condensing the alcohol vapor which is collected as liquid moonshine.
– Aging – Raw moonshine can be instantly bottled or aged in barrels or mason jars to smooth out flavor. Two year aging in oak barrels is traditional.
– Proofing – Water is added to dilute it to the desired proof before bottling.
Legality of moonshine in South Carolina today
In modern times, it is still illegal under South Carolina law to produce unlicensed distilled spirits or operate a still without government approval. However, there are some exceptions that provide avenues for legal sales of certain moonshine-style spirits:
– Mini-distillery licenses allow small craft distilleries to produce liquor legally in accordance with state regulations. Some focus on authentic moonshine recipes.
– Fruit-based infused spirits can be produced by mini-distilleries and sold directly to consumers without needing additional mash bills approved.
– Certain moonshine makers have partnered with licensed distilleries to legally bottle and distribute their recipes under the distillery’s permit.
So while true backwoods-style moonshining still risks criminal penalties, permitted micro-distilleries have helped bring craft Palmetto moonshine to legal markets while preserving generations-old traditions.
Traditions and culture of Palmetto moonshine
Beyond just an underground economic activity, moonshining became ingrained as part of the culture and folklore across many parts of South Carolina:
Moonshine Festivals
Several South Carolina towns have begun celebrating their moonshine heritage with fun festivals, including:
– Dark Corner Distillery Festival – Greenville, SC
– Moonshine Fest – Ridgeland, SC
– Moonshine Madness – Plains, GA bordering SC
These feature live music, moonshine tastings, distillery tours, historical reenactments, and moonshining skills competitions.
Moonshine in Music and Books
Moonshining has inspired many country songs, books, and films over the years that illuminate South Carolina’s moonshine culture, such as:
– “Copperhead Road” song by Steve Earle refers to a fictional moonshiner in the mountains of Carolina.
– Thunder Road film starring Robert Mitchum about a Korean War veteran who becomes a South Carolina moonshiner.
– Moonshine Memories book of short stories celebrating Marlboro County moonshine history and characters.
Moonshine Makers as Folk Heroes
Famous moonshiners became idolized as folk heroes for their rebellion against the law and supplying people with prohibited liquor. Willie Carter Sharpe was the most iconic Palmetto moonshine legend.
Conclusions
In conclusion, although an illegal underground activity, moonshining became deeply ingrained in the culture and economy of several South Carolina communities, most notably Edgefield, Greenville, Horry, and Marlboro Counties. Generations of moonshiners crafted iconic South Carolina ‘shine using local corn and grains, operating stills in the secluded foothills and swamps. The outlaw lore around legendary moonshiners like Willie Carter Sharpe further romanticized the illicit liquor production. And while true backwoods moonshining may slowly be fading into history, its rich heritage is celebrated today in songs, books, festivals, and legal moonshine craft distilleries that keep the tasting tradition alive.