Skunkworks Moonshine
Reviewed on August 11, 2023
Skunkworks Moonshine is co-owned by Marty Lastiwka and Faye Warrington They started Skunkworks as a side project in 2019. Did you know that Lockheed Martin in California coined the term Skunkworks as a code for secret project?
Moonshine is a high proof clear spirit and a good alternative to vodka, gin and rum. Moonshine, aka Shine, dates back to the prohibition era when alcohol was illegal. Back then, people would make their own and distill it under the light of the moon so not to be discovered by the local authorities. It can be made from corn, wheat and potato. Corn being the most common. At Skunkworks, they use sugar beets from Taber which makes an excellent neutral spirit.
They have 4 moonshines – the Skunkworks Moonshine, Moonwater (Hibiscus infused Moonshine), Hypersonic (their top moonshine – a little higher proof at 55%), and the Desert Moon (Lightly roasted Arabic Coffee infusion with Ginger, Saffron and Cardamon). You can drink moonshine straight up, on the rocks or in a cocktail.
Skunkworks also make 4 Ready-to-Drink canned cocktails. I particulary like the one called the Skunk in Soda which is their flagship moonshine mixed with lime juice and soda.
Location - The distillery and tasting room is located at 4009- 4 Street SE in the Manchester Industrial area in Calgary.
Tasting Note - Skunkworks Moonshine
I tasted the Skunkworks Moonshine on the rocks. It has nice weight in my mouth. It’s a bit creamy and is very smooth.
In the distilling process, you have heads, hearts and tails. The hearts are the purest and most desirable part. At Skunkworks, they ONLY use the hearts from the distilling process so their moonshine is smooth and creamy, with no harsh bite.