I like bars with the wares on display. It gives me a chance to peruse the selection on hand while sipping my first drink, and go over the mental check list of what I’ve tried and what I haven’t yet. This bar I was at has a reputation as being a whiskey bar, which means it’s time for some serious checking out. So, while having my usual Powers on the rocks, I look up at the shelves…Had it, had it, don’t like it, had it and…wait. What’s that mason jar up there? That can’t be…moonshine can it? So for the next round I motion over to the bartender. I order a shot of the “stuff in the jar” and a beer back. The liquor in the glass is clear as water. I brace myself for an everclear-style palate and throat beat down.
Just then I notice that the entire bar staff has gathered around me. Apparently nobody in the place has had the stones to try it and they wanted to see if I was to keel over dead, or vomit and go blind.
So, down the hatch it goes. And…Hmmm…it seems I have just consumed fermented corn muffin juice. The corn flavor was beyond huge, it was dominating. Not in a bad way, but it was a one note song, no interesting finish or hints of anything found outside of Iowa. The burn was negligible, less than even say Jim Beam. I call over to let me see the bottle. George Moon Corn Whiskey is distilled by the Heaven Hill Distillery, the same company that makes Evan Williams and Elijah Craig bourbon. The label explains that this was un-aged bourbon. It has spent no time in a barrel at all. It may not be moonshine, but it’s not your grandmothers bourbon either (she drinks Old Crow). If you’re a bourbon or whiskey drinker, I would not say that I highly recommend it, it’s far too odd for regular consumption, but this needs to go on your own personal check list of sampled bourbons.