Hocking Hills Moonshine

Southeast Ohio is rich in history, and nowhere is this more evident than in the tradition of distilling moonshine. The spirit has its roots in the region’s coal-mining past. When a long-burning mine fire shut down operations in the area, enterprising bootleggers distilled spirits in the abandoned mineshafts, hiding their fires from federal agents amidst the simmering smoke of the coal fires. Hocking Hills moonshine — particularly the popular Straitsville Special — became a desirable product nationwide during Prohibition.

Brothers Brian and Eric St. Clair at Hocking Hills Moonshine in Logan have been producing their signature corn liquor since 2015. You can taste the clean and clear original recipe or try flavored versions like Blackberry, Granny Apple, Peach Tea or Raspberry. For a high-octane zing, sample the 120-proof Buckeye Lightning or the 151-proof Buckeye Thunder. While you tour the facility, you’ll learn about the distillation process and see pieces of history, including distilling equipment from the St. Clair family’s 1800s-era farm.

Then, stop by the newly renamed Black Diamond Distillery, operated under the Fermentation Science program at Hocking College. Housed in a historic general store in downtown New Straitsville, the working distillery doubles as an educational center for students. Spirits are distilled using local ingredients like red corn, pawpaw and apple cider. (Try the Bloody Butcher moonshine, made from the red corn.)

Plan your visit around Memorial Day weekend for the annual Moonshine Festival in New Straitsville, known as the moonshine capital of the world. Running since the early 1970s, the event celebrates moonshine history with demonstrations, carnival games and unique foods like moonshine burgers and moonshine pie.

55 S. Spring St., Logan, Ohio, 740/347-9044, hockinghillsshine.com