AMERICAN SCENE: Making Moonshine in Kentucky

Moonshining is as much a part of the national folklore as the covered wagon Although "moonshiner" originally meant Englishmen who ran brandy and gin along the North Sea coast toward the end of the 18th century, it came to have special application in America to the men who made illegal whisky—quite literally by the light of the moon. While their ranks have been decimated, a few moonshiners still ply their illicit trade in the deep recesses of Appalachia. Feeling rather like David Livingstone in search of the Nile's source. Correspondent William Friedman was blindfolded and led through the labyrinthine...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!