This episode takes us to Caribbean Moonshine Distillers, in Orlando, FL, where Steve Nichols and Mike Weber pay tribute to the original shiners. The first written record of moonshine, Mike explains, doesn't come from Appalachia but from Barbados in 1650, where enslaved workers forced to harvest sugar cane figured out how to ferment it into an alcohol they called "rum bullion" — a name the British later shortened to rum. Today, Caribbean Moonshine honors those first shiners with products that are 100% Florida: sugar cane from Okeechobee and Sebring farmers, juiced in Bartow, and blended with Zephyrhills spring water.
We're talking their PB&C Cannonball, a coconut that has won gold and double gold internationally, a passion fruit that took best of class, and the 1650 spiced rum that Busch Gardens white-labeled as Voodoo Nightshine for Halloween. Find out how they craft these flavors and what it takes to bring Caribbean soul to every bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Steve Nichols and Mike Weber of Caribbean Moonshine?
They are the owners/operators of Caribbean Moonshine in Orlando, Florida who run the distillery, develop the recipes, and handle bottling and packaging on-site.
Where is Caribbean Moonshine located and do they distill on-site?
Caribbean Moonshine is located in a mall in Orlando, Florida, and they distill, bottle, and package their products on the property under their craft distillery license.
What makes Caribbean Moonshine’s ingredients and production distinctive?
Their products are made with a Florida-focused supply chain: sugar cane from Okeechobee and Sebring, juice pressed in Bartow, distilled to high proof, and blended with Zephyrhills spring water before final blending and bottling.
What are Caribbean Moonshine’s flagship products and notable awards mentioned in the episode?
Their PB&C Cannonball (peanut butter & chocolate) is a highlighted flagship, their coconut expression has won international gold/double-gold recognition, and their passion fruit won best-of-class in the episode’s account; they also produce a 1650 spiced rum that was white-labeled as Voodoo Nightshine for Busch Gardens’ Halloween events.
Did Steve Nichols and Mike Weber ever run moonshine or bootleg, as discussed on the episode?
No, they say they have never done anything illegal and that they pay their taxes, though they acknowledge a continuing bootlegging and moonshining community in Florida today.
Does Caribbean Moonshine offer licensing opportunities for others who want to open a similar distillery?
Yes, they described a licensee program they developed to let others open a small distillery under the Caribbean Moonshine brand, with details available via the license section on their website.