The Bootlegger Who Beat the Law and Built a Moonshine Empire

🔥 FROM BOOTLEGGER TO BOURBON BOSS 🔥
The true story of Junior Johnson: Moonshine runner turned NASCAR legend turned spirits pioneer

He outran the law with a trunk full of hooch… and built a whiskey empire on the fumes.

Let me take you back to Wilkes County, North Carolina—ground zero for America’s moonshine movement. That’s where a teenage Robert Glenn “Junior” Johnson learned the family trade. Not algebra. Not piano. Moonshine. 🥃

While most kids were learning to drive in parking lots, Junior was taking hairpin curves with a trunk full of unmarked jars and a federal agent two miles behind. He didn’t just run shine—he invented the art of it. And that daredevil skill behind the wheel? It earned him a spot as one of the first true stars of NASCAR.

But here’s where the story hits the next gear…

Junior didn’t fade into outlaw folklore. He went legit—launching a legal spirits brand with the very same recipe his family used for generations.

The result? Midnight Moon Moonshine—a crystal-clear, corn-based moonshine crafted in small batches with care, character, and just enough danger to make you grin.

You can taste Junior’s legacy in every bottle.
You can own it, too.

👉 Grab your bottle of Midnight Moon right here

This is more than moonshine.
It’s a piece of Americana in a jar.

🥃 The Weekly Pour: Midnight Moon Moonshine

Born in a backwoods still. Bottled in North Carolina. Inspired by the recipe of one of America’s most notorious moonshiners.

This ain’t just flavored corn liquor—it’s heritage with heat.

Tasting Notes:

• 👃 Nose: Cornbread sweetness, warm hay, and a hint of charred oak

• 👅 Palate: Rich vanilla, white pepper, and caramel corn

• 🏁 Finish: Quick, clean, and built for speed—like Junior’s getaway car

Whether you're sipping it straight or mixing up something mean, this is the kind of shine that earns respect.

👉 Grab your bottle of Midnight Moon right here

🍸 The Art of Mixing: “The Fast Lane Lemonade”

This cocktail comes straight from the Southern back porch playbook—with just enough kick to make your tires squeal.

Fast Lane Lemonade

• 2 oz Midnight Moon Moonshine

• 4 oz fresh lemonade

• 1 sprig mint

• Lemon wheel garnish

• Serve over crushed ice in a mason jar (of course)

Drink it cold. Sip it slow. Let it warm you like a Carolina sunset.

🔥 Flavor Pairing Picks

This moonshine pairs like a rebel in a tuxedo:

• 🍗 Spicy BBQ ribs slathered in peach glaze

• 🥧 Buttermilk pie with a cracked sugar crust

• 🚬 A rich cigar with cinnamon spice (think Arturo Fuente Hemingway)

Kick back and pair bold with bolder.

💡 Big Lesson of the Week: Break the Rules, Then Rewrite Them

Junior Johnson lived a life most of us wouldn’t dare imagine:

🏁 He ran from the law…
🏁 Became a NASCAR champ…
🏁 Got a Presidential pardon from Ronald Reagan…
🏁 And put his name on bottles sold in stores coast-to-coast.

That’s not just a comeback. That’s a masterclass in legacy.

The lesson?
Don’t wait for permission. Blaze your own trail—just make sure you distill it along the way.

🥂 Final Toast

Here’s to the rebels who ran fast, lived hard, and built something bigger than themselves. To the old roads, the new brands, and the shine that still burns bright.

“Outlaws may run from the law, but legends? They run toward legacy.”

📚 BOOK PROMO – Buckle Up, Whiskey Lovers 🚙🥃

My latest book, “50 States of Whiskeys”, isn’t a memoir. It’s a road trip. A flavor-fueled pilgrimage through America’s best distilleries—from big names to hidden barrels.

You’ll get:

• 🚗 Behind-the-scenes tours of off-the-grid whiskey makers

• 🔥 Hot takes on under-the-radar bourbons and ryes

• 🗺️ A full map of where to drink, what to try, and how to sound smart while sipping

It’s got no fluff. Just bold pours, roadside dives, and enough whiskey wisdom to make you the most interesting person at the bar.

👉 Grab your copy here: “50 States of Whiskeys” on Amazon

It’s not just a book. It’s your next great whiskey adventure.

👇 Your Turn, Pour Pal

💬 Got a Junior Johnson story? A favorite road whiskey? Spill it in the comments.
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Until the next pour—keep it neat, stay curious, and tip your hat to the rebels.
Ethan “Neat” Whitmore
A pour ahead of the pack.

P.S. Later this week, we’ll take a slow walk through The Angel’s Share—why every barrel gives up a little to the heavens, and what it means when spirits vanish. 🕊️🥃