Make your moonshine the old-fashioned way with this recipe for Popcorn Sutton Moonshine.
Moonshining is a pastime with deep roots in American history. While it has recently become a trendy new hobby for many to make their own spirits, for many growing up it was their way of life and means of making a living.
The King of Moonshine
Image courtesy of Wikipedia
One of the most infamous moonshiners of the recent past is Marvin ‘Popcorn’ Sutton. This legendary moonshiner was born in 1946 in the Hemphill community of Maggie Valley.
Popcorn Sutton and Tennessee White Whiskey
Popcorn was born into a long line of moonshiners. He was taught to make moonshine at a young age, much like his father and grandfather before him. With a Scottish-Irish heritage, Sutton would boast that he had moonshine in his blood.
For more information on Sutton, click here.
Sutton made his living by making whiskey using a 100 year old family recipe and selling it out of the back of his Ford Model A truck.
Me and My Likker
Sutton rose to fame later in life by inking his own autobiographical guide to making moonshine.
In 1999 he self published his autobiography “Me and My Likker” which also chronicled his incredible journey of moonshine production.
He published ‘Me and My Likker‘ at his junk shop in Maggie Valley as well as starring in self-produced instructional home videos.
Despite making moonshine most of his life, he didn’t become famous until he was 60. This was due to his appearance in several documentaries including “This is the Last Dam Run of Likker I’ll Ever Make.”
He also became the subject of many documentaries, including The Last One, which actually went on to win a regional Emmy.
Popcorn Sutton was a big believer that since he came from a long line of moonshiners and it was his way of life, he should not be persecuted for it. Unfortunately this became his downfall.
Popcorn Sutton Gets Busted
Sutton had many run-ins with the law but never served time.
However, this all changed when, according to the New York Times, Sutton told an undercover federal officer something he shouldn’t have.
According to the report, Sutton told the officer he had 500 gallons of moonshine in Tennessee and another 400 gallons in Maggie Valley that he was ready to sell.
This led to a raid on Sutton’s property and Sutton was convicted of offences related to producing and distributing moonshine as well as illegally possessing a firearm. He was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.
However, this was far from his first brush with the law. In fact, according to the
Newport Plain Talk, Cocke County’s local newspaper, Sutton had a long rap sheet.
His first conviction was in 1974, when he was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and charged with multiple violations.
In 1981 Sutton received a five-year sentance for felony possession of a controlled substance.
He received an additional three years in 1985 when he was convicted for felony assault with a weapon with intent.
The Charge That Would be His Downfall
Sutton was put on probation when he was caught with over 650 gallons of moonshine, however, this conviction would be his downfall.
While he did not get any time for this offense, while on probabtion an undercover agent working for the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission discovered 500 gallons of moonshine made by Sutton.
Unfortunately at this point Sutton’s luck had run out. He was convicted of several charges including tax evasion and possession of illegal substances.
A Light Sentence
Despite his long list of infractions Sutton was only sentenced to 18 months in prison. The judge in Sutton’s case showed some leniency due to Sutton’s age and his failing health, but insisted on jail time.
Popcorn Sutton’s Death
Sutton never ended up serving any time as he committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning on March 16, 2009.
Sutton was reportedly suffering with cancer at the time of his death.
Where is Popcorn Sutton Buried?
Reportedly Popcorn Sutton was actually buried twice, however, there are several conflicting reports as to the reason for this.
Sutton was originally buried in an isolated plot in western North Carolina near the graves of his parents.
Later he was exhumed and reburied. Many believe the reason for this to be either family conflict or possible vandalism of his grave site.
His widow, Pam Sutton, has his exhumed body transported via horse-drawn carriage to his property in Parrotsville, Tenn., where he remains today.
Pam Sutton held a large memorial service that was attended by Hank Williams jr.
In a final tribute to the spirit of Sutton, a marker near his grave reads: “Popcorn said [f—] you.”
Pam and Sky Sutton
Just two years before his death Popcorn Sutton married Pam Sutton. While he was not overly involved in her life, he also fathered a daughter.
Sky Sutton is the daughter of Popcorn Sutton. She penned the book Daddy Moonshine: The Story of Marvin ‘Popcorn’ Sutton which she coincidentally had delivered to the printer on the day of his death.
Once she was informed of his passing, she revised the book to include the details of his final days.
Despite penning a book about her father, Sky Sutton revealed to Knox News that she had not seen her father ‘since she was a youngun’. She used her skills as a historian and a genealogist to put together several accounts of her father’s life and legacy.
Sky revealed she thought her father’s cancer diagnosis helped give him the courage to ‘die by his own terms’ to avoid any prison time.
How Did Popcorn Sutton Get His Famous Nickname?
As for her father’s famous nickname, Sky revealed to the Knox News:
“Well, he would tell you that it was because he broke one of those popcorn-making machines at a bar.”
According to legend, he attacked a faulty popcorn vending machine with a pool cue out of frustration.
Check out The Best Moonshine Mash Recipes
The Standard Column Still
Popcorn Sutton came from a long line of moonshiners. One of the things he was the most passionate about was using copper stills to distill his moonshine. Sutton knew that using a copper still produced the best tasting moonshine.
Both stainless steel and copper are good materials for conducting heat. This is important as evenly conducting heat creates a more uniform distillation.
On a molecular level, copper is able to cancel out the sulfur created by the yeast.
This is because the sulfur formed by the yeast will bind to the copper and form hydrogen-sulfide which in turn, forms copper sulfate.
This sticks to the side of the still and is washed down the drain after your moonshine is distilled, rather than into the moonshine itself. The copper can essentially remove the sulfur taste from your final product.
The Right Equipment for Moonshining
At How to Moonshine we offer The Standard All in One Moonshine Still Kit. This hand soldered kit is the perfect piece of equipment for both new and experienced moonshiners.
This still combines the ease of an electric still with the superior performance of a column still. The Standard column comes loaded with copper mesh and even has an option gin basket attachment!
Popcorn Sutton insisted on copper in his stills because he recognized that copper is an ideal material for stills as it has an exceptional ability to conduct heat, reduce sulfur, and is exceptionally resistant to corrosion.
The ability for copper to reduce the presence of sulfur is one of the top reasons so many shiners insist on copper stills. Having a vessel for a removable copper addition is the perfect solution.
This copper still is a perfect choice for producing quality whiskey as well as brandy, gin, rum and vodka. You can taste the difference in quality when you use The Standard.
For a full guide on all the steps for “How to Make Moonshine” click here.
