Sugarlands Shine Maple Bacon Moonshine Liqueur (750Ml)

Sugarlands Shine Maple Bacon is a flavored moonshine liqueur from Sugarlands Distilling Company. The distillery sits in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, right at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains. Those hills are part of the Appalachian range, where moonshine has deep roots. This bottle belongs to the brand's Outlandish Series of playful flavors. It is bottled at 35% ABV, or 70 proof.

The idea is simple. Candied maple syrup meets smoked bacon. On the nose you get sweet maple and smoky bacon side by side. The first sip is sweet, and then the savory smoke comes through. Neither flavor takes over. The finish lingers, smoky and sweet, with a faint savory edge.

You can pour it as a chilled shot with friends. It also works well in simple cocktails. Add it to a Bloody Mary for a sweet and smoky twist. You can even swap it in for sweet vermouth in a Manhattan.

Food makes it even better. Set it out with pancakes, donuts or peanut brittle at brunch. Salty potato chips, caramel and butterscotch treats suit it too. Smoked meats from the grill are another easy match.

Bring a bottle to a cookout or a holiday party. Friends will want to try it, and it sparks fun talk at the table.