Root Beer is one of the more convincing flavors in the Sugarlands range, largely because it does not chase the soda fountain version. Sugarlands Distilling Company operates out of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains, and bottles its shine in genuine wire bail Mason jars, which sells itself on a shelf and works even harder as a gift. What is in the jar is built around sassafras root, vanilla and wintergreen, which is the actual traditional flavor foundation of root beer rather than a generic sweet cola note. The result reads closer to the root beer candies of childhood than to a fountain drink, and it lands almost bubbly on the palate despite being still, with a mellow sweetness that stops short of cloying. Note the strength, because it is the highest of the Sugarlands jars we have covered. At 35 percent alcohol by volume, or 70 proof, this carries real spirit weight underneath the flavor, and it is markedly stronger than the Butterscotch Gold at 40 proof or the Apple Pie at 50. The label states neutral spirits with natural root beer flavor and caramel color, so this is a flavored spirit rather than a whiskey, but at 70 proof it behaves like a proper base spirit in a drink rather than a low proof cordial. That makes it genuinely useful. Serve it cold over ice, drop a shot into a bowl of ice cream for a very direct root beer float, or pair it with bourbon, which is a combination the distillery itself recommends. It also plays well with spearmint, chocolate, banana, vanilla and butterscotch flavors if you want to build something around it.
ABV / Proof
| ABV |
35% |
| Proof |
70 |
| Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States |
| Region |
Gatlinburg, Tennessee |
| Category |
Flavored Moonshine |
| Expression |
Root Beer |
| Base |
Neutral spirits with natural root beer flavor and caramel color |
| Distillery |
Sugarlands Distilling Company LLC |
| Packaging |
Mason jar with wire bail |
Tasting Notes
Color: Deep dark cola brown, from added caramel color.
Nose: Sassafras root leads, with creamy vanilla and a cool wintergreen lift behind it.
Palate: Smooth and lightly effervescent in feel, with classic root beer sweetness, vanilla and a gentle spice, closer to root beer candy than to soda.
Finish: Sweet and creamy with a lingering wintergreen coolness and a clear spirit warmth underneath.
FAQ
What proof is Sugarlands Root Beer Moonshine? It is 70 proof, or 35 percent alcohol by volume, making it the strongest of the core Sugarlands flavored jars.
Is this whiskey? No. The label states neutral spirits with natural root beer flavor and caramel color, so it is a flavored spirit rather than a whiskey.
What does it actually taste like? Traditional root beer built on sassafras, vanilla and wintergreen, with a nostalgic root beer candy character rather than a fountain soda one.
How should I serve it? Chilled or over ice. Pour it over ice cream for a direct root beer float, or pair it with a shot of bourbon as the distillery suggests.
How does it compare to the other Sugarlands flavors? It is noticeably stronger. Butterscotch Gold is 40 proof and Appalachian Apple Pie is 50 proof, while this sits at 70.
Where can I buy Sugarlands Root Beer Moonshine online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.
