Hickman County, Tennessee has a well-earned reputation for making moonshine, achieving the designation of "Keg Kounty". Johnny Cash even sung about "running off the 'shine" in his ode to Hickman County -- no better endorsement than a CASH country song.
Whiskey making is still technically illegal in Hickman County until you've jumped through the proper hoops, so any whiskey made would be genuine moonshine (not that there is any made!) However, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a law this session that makes it easier to establish a legal distillery. In a Knoxnews.com article, "Ground zero for whiskey: Law allows production of distilled spirits in state", the new legislation is explored.
If you would like to explore locating a distillery in an area like Hickman County with a rich history of whiskey making, whether corn liquor or other distilled spirits, maybe it's time to have a drink with an economic development expert and talk about it.
