I know in Kentucky it is legal to make any beverage for personal use only. If you make with the intent to sell then that is a problem. If you make moonshine and sell it then the DEA will be after you and you will go to jail for years. There was a man in Virginia that the DEA did this to after he sold the moonshine he made. He was a very old man and just trying to supplement his income.
Good shine is clear as water and does not have much of a smell. it will have a nice smooth taste and does not burn the mouth or when going down. However when it hits the stomach it burns like fire. This is good shine.
If the person does not know about making shine then it will be cloudy or brown. It will have a strong smell and taste. Will burn the mouth and going down. Basically this is rot-gut / bath-tub gin. Horrible and not worth drinking because you will feel worse after waking up from the drunk.
Moonshine will have an alcohol content between 140 - 200%. It varies on how it is fermented/processed.
Disclaimer: No I do not make moonshine personally but I do know the process and what is classified as good shine or bad shine.
