It was on a recent trip to America for a Harley-Davidson tour that founder and chief distiller, Mark Taverner, first fell in love with moonshine. This iconic drink originates from the Southern part of the states and Mark even spent time at Moonshine university in Kentucky before setting up his own distillery in Gauteng. This is how Silver Creek Southern Moonshinecame to be. A range of unaged American-style moonshines, handmade in small batches, right here in South Africa.
Fresh from its momentous five-medal victory at the 2017 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, the first-of-its-kind Silver Creek Craft Distillery is rolling out a countrywide launch of its handcrafted range of authentic moonshines.
Only recently launching in Cape Town, I was invited to the legendary western themed Saloon, Dust and Dynamite, to meet the team and taste the range that Silver Creek has to offer.
The Collection:
The collection is led by the flagship Clear Shine, a smooth and genuine, pure spirit that is diluted to 50% alcohol by volume. It is a complex, mercurial spirit, alluring with a grain character without the influence of oak barrel maturation and is as authentically American as it gets.
Joining this new kid on the craft block is the Charred Shine (also diluted to 50% ABV). Similar in flavour to a good bourbon, it is made from Clear Shine and flavoured with an oak barrel essence.
Silver Creek Craft Distillery also produces four Southern Moonshine Flavoured ‘Shines (24% ABV), flavoured with genuine American flavours made exclusively for the distillery in the American state of Louisville, Kentucky.
This includes Apple Pie Moonshine, which tastes just like momma’s puddin’-in-a-bottle; Bon Fire Moonshine, with a zip of hot cinnamon; Salted Caramel Moonshine – heavenly more-ish as they come; and, Chocolate Moonshine – a combo of dark chocolate and black coffee in a shot.
Tucked away in an old mine building in Gauteng’s Randfontein, the state-of-the-art Silver Creek Craft Distillery does everything by hand – from mashing and fermentation to distillation and bottling. This process allows for extra special care, which is why every bottle is signed by the distiller.
How to drink:
The versatility of both the Clear and Charred shines is that they are the PERFECT mix for a cocktail, or simply enjoyed as a mixed drink or shooter. In keeping with the Southern American tradition, I enjoy my Charred shine as a pickle back shooter, chasing it with pickle juice.
The flavoured ‘Shines are also a great addition to cocktails, enjoyed poured over ice or as a straight shooter if you want to appreciate the flavours.
Southern Moonshine is available at selected bars, restaurants and retailers around the country. The Clear and Charred Shines retail at around R370 per 750ml bottle and the flavoured moonshines for R260.
For online orders and more information about Silver Creek Craft Distillery and its Southern Moonshine range
Visit: www.silvercreekdistillery.com or follow on Facebook at SilverCreekSouthernMoonshine and Instagram @silvercreeksouthernmoonshine. Join the conversation by using #getyourshineon.
Leave A Comment