If you're ever in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, visit the husband & wife team, Scott Blackwell & Ann Marshall, at High Wire Distilling. They probably won't be available, but you can enjoy their 3,200-square-foot space on Huger Street that houses barrels, tanks, a tasting area, and a hand-hammered German copper still that produces their spirits (Gin & Vodka included). South Carolina is a genetic storehouse for all types of historical Old & New World grains, including corn, wheat, rice, benne, farro, oats, wheat, and buckwheat. Jimmy Red Whiskies are made with ancient red corn that Indigenous peoples once cultivated around Appalachia and Carolina lowlands before the corn migrated to James Island, SC. It was what old-time local moonshiners relied on for hooch. Jimmy Red was down to a few cobs and almost died out with the last moonshiner before it was revived by Ted Chewning sometime after 2000. Now, there's enough for downhome cooks, high-class chefs, and modern-day moonshiners.
