Hence, show without substance or reality.
Liquor smuggled or illicitly distilled, especially liquor distilled illegally in rural parts of the southern U. S.
Designating, or pertaining to, illicit liquor; as, moonshine whisky.
Home made liquor usually distilled from corn.
whiskey illegally distilled from a corn mash
distill (alcohol) illegally; produce moonshine
is illegally-produced distilled spirits. It is profitable to produce this illegal and sometimes dangerous product because legal spirits are very heavily taxed. To show that their moonshine has high alcohol content and is also free of potentially deadly contaminants commonly found in the illegal product, moonshiners sometimes burn a small quantity. A clear blue flame indicates high proof. Any other color within the flame indicates that it is contaminated.(Ref: Fun Facts: "Alcohol Trivia," item #4.13)
US Slang for whiskey made without paying tax. Normally from corn, but reportedly sugar alone is used in large-scale production
Distilled spirits produced in an unlicensed, unregulated still and without payment of taxes, and hence, illegal. Seldom aged, and produced from anything that will ferment, moonshine is often a health hazard.