Bruiser's Tiger Shine Moonshine Jar Release Party

Bruiser's Tiger Shine Moonshine Jar Release Party

12/14/2023 • Knoxville, Tennessee

We made a run down to Drop Zone Distilling in Knoxville, Tennessee for Master Distiller Bruiser’s Tiger Shine Moonshine release. This was one of those trips where we weren’t just customers walking in off the street. We got welcomed in, shown around, and given real time with the guy behind the jar. That alone would’ve made the drive worth it. But the place, the people, and the product all hit.

Outside Drop Zone Distilling’s Knoxville, Tennessee location, with the entrance and helicopter mural by the front door.
Drop Zone Distilling in Knoxville, Tennessee. Veteran owned, parachute roots, and not your average tasting room.
Big Beard and Still Will standing outside Drop Zone Distilling in Knoxville, Tennessee before the Tiger Shine release.
Big Beard and Still Will on site for Bruiser’s Tiger Shine Moonshine release.

Right out of the gate, we met Drop Zone owner Rod Parton, got introduced around, and felt like we belonged there. This wasn’t some “stay behind the rope” situation. We got to hang out, talk shop, and ask questions. Bruiser didn’t rush anything — he was happy to walk us through what went into Tiger Shine, where the recipe came from, and why this jar matters to him.

Big Beard, Drop Zone Distilling owner Rod Parton, and Still Will posing inside the Knoxville, Tennessee location.
Big Beard, Drop Zone owner Rod Parton, and Still Will. Former trooper energy, firm handshake, and the kind of confidence that comes from knowing your craft.

Then we hit the tasting bar. Drop Zone had a full line of flavored moonshine and whiskey on the counter, including the new Tiger Shine. We sampled across the board — salt caramel whiskey, clear shines, seasonal runs — and nothing felt rushed. Bruiser was pouring, answering everything, and just generally holding court.

Master Distiller Bruiser behind the Drop Zone Distilling tasting counter in Knoxville, Tennessee with jars and sample bottles lined up.
Master Distiller Bruiser running the tasting bar and walking us through Tiger Shine Moonshine and more.
Master Distiller Bruiser holding a jar of Tiger Shine Moonshine at Drop Zone Distilling in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bruiser with his Tiger Shine Moonshine. The recipe was handed down from his grandmother — this one means something.

Tiger Shine itself is exactly what we hoped it’d be: bold, sweet without being syrupy, and built off family tradition. We grabbed a jar (autographed), plus a ridiculous Salted Caramel Whiskey that was smooth enough to be dangerous. If we’d had more room in the car, we would’ve left with half a dozen flavors.

From there, we got the kind of access you almost never get. We were invited into the production space — not just a peek through the glass, but actually onto the floor to stand next to the stills. We were looking at serious hardware: a 300-gallon setup with full column runs, polished stainless, copper sections, and working scale output. Bruiser and the crew literally walked us right up to it and let us take it in.

Big Beard and Still Will standing in front of Drop Zone Distilling’s large stainless pot and column still setup in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Up close with Drop Zone’s main still setup. They didn’t just talk about the process — they brought us into it.
Multiple tall column sections, copper and stainless, on Drop Zone Distilling’s main still line in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Column work for days. Copper, stainless, and serious output — not a novelty still.

On top of that, Bruiser let us check out one of his hand-built copper rigs — not a display piece, but the real deal. You can tell how much pride he takes in the craft. Between the tasting room and the production floor, you never forget Drop Zone is a working distillery run by people who actually do this, not people playing dress-up for tourists.

Master Distiller Bruiser behind a copper still setup on the tasting bar at Drop Zone Distilling in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bruiser brought out one of his copper rigs so we could see the build up close. Nothing off-limits.

Bottom line: if you’re anywhere near Knoxville, Tennessee, you owe yourself a stop at Drop Zone Distilling. The jars are legit, the staff treats you like you matter, and they’ll actually talk you through what you’re drinking. We drove out with Tiger Shine, Salted Caramel Whiskey, and a Drop Zone hat (birthday score). We’re already talking about coming back to watch the still run live and pitch in on a batch.

Also in attendance

Huge thanks to the Drop Zone Distilling crew in Knoxville for the welcome, the patience, and the full walk-through. Everybody behind the bar and out on the floor made sure folks got to taste, ask questions, and learn something — not just buy a jar and leave.

👕 Worn at This Event

Malt Whiskey Moonshine tee worn by Big Beard at Drop Zone Distilling in Knoxville, Tennessee.

“Malt Whiskey Moonshine” Tee
worn by Big Beard

Yeast Mode (Packet) tee worn by Still Will at Drop Zone Distilling in Knoxville, Tennessee.

“Yeast Mode (Packet)” Tee
worn by Still Will

Event took place December 14, 2023 at Drop Zone Distilling in Knoxville, Tennessee. Original Facebook coverage for this trip was first posted on December 14, 2023. Extra photos and community comments are available on Facebook: View the original post.

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