Moonshine is one of the fastest growing spirit categories—riding in on the coattails of its aged cousin, whiskey and cashing in on the mystique of its illicit past. But what exactly is "moonshine"? And what is it about this Southern spirit that has allowed it to endure hundreds of years of outlaw status?

I headed down to Gatlinburg, Tennessee to learn about moonshine, experience a little of the culture behind it, and to drink more than my share of 'shine-filled mason jars. (It was a tough research assignment, but I got through it…)

Besides discovering that many families in the area have secret recipe handed down through the generations, here's what else I learned… the 7 things everyone should know about moonshine:

1. Moonshine is unaged corn whiskey

Early moonshiners discovered they could keep the overflowing stores of corn usable longer by turning it into a mash and fermenting it. That the resulting spirit was highly drinkable and highly desirable just might have had something to do with their efforts as well.

Today, the explosion in whiskey's popularity may have something to do with the rising popularity of moonshine. Major whiskey distilleries—who are used to having to wait years until their product can go to market—can whip up a batch of "White Dog" and get it out the door and onto shelves quickly. This is motivating many of them to create expressions in this category. Which is adding to the legitimacy of, and interest in, moonshine.

2. Moonshine is deeply rooted in southern culture. Deeply

To many families in the south, moonshine isn't not just something you drink… it was a way of surviving hard times, putting food on the table and shoes on kids' feet. And forget its longtime illegal status, moonshine has been a part of southern family traditions and celebrations for generations. In Tennessee, one of their official state songs, "Rocky Top," even has an entire verse dedicated to moonshine. And moonshiners outrunning the law in their high-powered cars, and competing for bragging rights to who was the fastest 'shine-runner is the genesis for NASCAR.

3. Moonshine is easier to drink than you think

One of the first things people say when I ask them if they want to try moonshine is they're afraid of the "burn" and nasty taste from a perceived high alcohol content. When I finally convince them to give it a sip, they are surprised by how smooth and drinkable it is.

Many commercial moonshines are bottled at 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume). Lower than many popular whiskeys, vodkas and gins. Multiple distillations smooth out the spirit, until the burn is barely noticeable. And if that's still too high proof for you, their flavors are bottled at a lower-than-you'd-expect 40 proof. Flavored moonshine? Yep, and that's number 4.

4. Moonshine comes in flavors

If you are a fan of the show "Justified" you know all about Mag's famous Apple Pie. (Just remember to bring your own glass…) But infusing fresh apples and cinnamon into moonshine isn't where the flavors stop. Blackberry and Peach are two other favorites. So are Lemon Drop and Blueberry. The possibilities are endless. During my visit, I made Caramel Apple moonshine and another version with fresh pineapple and tangerine juice. Both get amazed reactions when people try them. You'd never guess they were made from 'shine.

5. Moonshine is excellent for mixing cocktails

While most people drink it straight from the jar (more on that in a minute), moonshine makes an exceptionally good spirit for cocktails. Think about it, it's basically whiskey. So start by subbing in some 'shine where bourbon and whiskey would go. Keep the vodka and gin on the shelf and mix in White Lightning in their place. You'll be amazed by the result. Moonshine in a Bloody Mary? Some think it beats the original. And give Jack the night off and try a 'Shine and Coke instead. One of my new summertime favorites is Peach Moonshine and iced tea with a squeeze of lemon. It's a pool party in a glass.

6. It's not illegal anymore. Sort of

While the illicitness adds to the mystique of moonshine, just a couple of years ago, the state of Tennessee made it legal to own and operate a moonshine distillery. But that doesn't mean anyone can set one up in their backyard. You do need a license. And Ole Smokey was the first distillery to obtain one. Now their moonshine, along with moonshine from several other distilleries around the country, are perfectly legal to buy in your local liquor store. Are some folks still producing their family recipe down in the holler? I can neither confirm nor deny that question...

7. There's a reason it's still sold in mason jars

When I got my first jar, I had a helluva time pouring it into a glass. The mason jar's wide mouth makes it nearly impossible not to spill everywhere. So, with all the bottling technology we have now, why are legal moonshiners still putting their product in mason jars? Sure part of it may be the marketing department wanted it to look "authentic," but there's more to it than that. Spend any time in Tennessee at a party where moonshine is being served, and you'll see that "passing the jar" is part of the tradition of enjoying 'shine with friends. There's a certain feeling of camaraderie when you sip and pass. And it's just plain more fun. I recently brought a jar of Apple Pie to a buddy's birthday celebration, and not a single drop was poured into a glass. And the jar, all 750ml of it, was empty within hours.

Bonus Fact: What did those 3 Xs mean on the old time jugs of moonshine?

According to a pretty reliable moonshine source in Tennessee (he was wearing overalls at the time, so you know he knows his 'shine), when the original 'shiners were bottling their product, they'd mark an X on the jug for each time that batch had been distilled. You were wise to stay away from one X, and the really good stuff was distilled three times, so the XXX jugs contained the really good stuff.