There are a lot of tastes that are unique to the Ozarks – like fried fish, for example, or funnel cakes from Silver Dollar City. But how about the taste of real moonshine? There are many stories of moonshine stills being hidden in the hills and hollers of the Ozarks in days of old, when law enforcement would try and outsmart the native people who were making and running shine. These days, though, making and being in possession of moonshine isn’t a crime as long as it’s from a legal still – and Copper Run Distillery is known to have the best tasting shine around!
Copper Run Distillery, located in Walnut Shade, Missouri (just a few minutes off of Highway 65 and about 15 minutes from Branson), is an artisan distillery that brews small, handcrafted batches of Ozark Mountain Moonshine, whiskey, and rum. Copper Run is owned by Jim Blansit and Aris Aristidou. Jim is also the Master Distiller at Copper Run. The distillery is open daily from 11am to 7pm, and tours are offered at 12, 2, 4 and 6pm. The tours give visitors a chance to admire the beautiful rustic facility, with a bar, lounge and open air patio upstairs, and the actual distillery downstairs. Tours include sampling of the unforgettable Copper Run spirits! The lounge at Copper Run often features live music, and can also be booked for any special occasion.
The spirits at Copper Run Distillery include: Overproof Ozark Mountain Moonshine (distilled from separate batches of corn, wheat and barley, this 120 proof crystal clear white whiskey is truly an Ozarks experience!), Ozark Mountain Moonshine (this spirit is un-aged and comes straight from the still, just like the moonshiners of old would have made it), Hopped Wheat Whiskey (this is a limited edition spirit, aged for two years in Missouri Oak barrels), Small Batch Spirit Whiskey (with hints of vanilla and caramel flavors), White Rum (made from brown sugar and blackstrap molasses and great in cocktails!) and Island Gold Rum (a robust rum with hints of raisin flavor).
Copper Run Distillery crafts their spirits using techniques that are literally thousands of years old – a 140 gallon direct fire copper pot is what they refer to as the ‘centerpiece’ of their operation. Copper Run also likes to keep their equipment local – the barrels that age the spirits are handcrafted from young Missouri oak trees, and the water comes from the property’s well. Using hard work and time honored tradition, Copper Run Distillery continues to handcraft one of a kind spirits that are truly an experience!
The moonshine, whiskey and rum made by this local artisan distillery can be purchased from Copper Run itself, or can be ordered online at www.copperrundistillery.com. Copper Run Distillery also has a booth at the Saturday Farmers Market of the Ozarks, located in Springfield, Missouri on Republic Road, where they offer tasting samples and Moonshine Bloody Marys!
For a taste that is truly unique to the Ozarks, check out Copper Run Distillery during your next Branson visit – it will be an experience to remember!
