Copperhead’s Southern Distillery is a local spirits producer that specializes in the production of ‘shine.’ They recently had a tasting at Bill’s Liquor in Brooksville. They are looking into doing more tasting events in the near future. You are not yet able to buy their southern shine in stores because they haven’t signed with a distributor.
Jason Hunt and his wife Anna started Copperheads two years ago and received their permit for operations in November of last year. Although they both work on running the company, Anna is the distiller and creator of the spirits.
Copperhead’s Southern Shine is made from cane and honey, this is also known as sugar shine. They make their original shine at 120 proof, along with flavored shines at 70 proof.
What makes shine stand out from other spirits is that it is unaged, this gives it a stronger flavor. Shine is technically white whiskey because it is unaged.
Copperhead’s has 10 flavors that will be released seasonally. These flavors include: apple pie, strawberry, vanilla, lemon, blueberry, banana, cinnamon, sweet tea, coffee, and even jalapeno. They are working on other fruit flavors like guava, dragonfruit and starfruit, they are even going to try a flower line with flowers such as rose and lavender. They are constantly experimenting with new flavors.
They also have a collection of drink recipes that they will offer for free with their liquor.
Jason and Anna started out by building their own equipment and they just purchased a new still that will allow them to triple their production.
The Distillery is located in the Lake Lindsay area on a farm where they breed American warmblood horses. When they are not distilling Southern shine or working with the animals, they are raising their four children: two boys and two girls. Jason spends time as an assistant coach for his children’s Sports including football, basketball, and softball.