'Moonshiners': The Suicide And Lasting Legacy Of Popcorn Sutton (VIDEO)

In the world of illegal alcohol, Popcorn Sutton is a name that reached legendary status even before he died in 2009. Facing an 18-month prison sentence on Federal charges, Sutton committed suicide before he could be sent to jail. "Moonshiners" (Wed., 10 p.m. EST on Discovery) explored his life and legacy.

Perhaps the most ironic thing is that his widow, Pam, has taken Popcorn someplace he probably never imagined he'd be. "We have a distillery set up in Nashville, Tenn.," she explained. "We can't legally call it moonshine. We have to call it Tennessee Wild Whiskey. Also, Popcorn's liquor is the first white whiskey that the federal government has approved."

That's right, Popcorn has gone legal. Lucky for fans of his work, he passed his secret recipe onto his protege before passing as well, so Popcorn's moonshine can live on just as his legacy surely will.

Catch more stories of "Moonshiners" Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. EST on Discovery.

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Comments

[JohnnyBrown]

11:20 PM on 02/09/2012

By law, if you know a crime is taking place you must report the crime. So how is it that Discovery can film a crime in progress, and at the same time film the police investigating the crime? Talk about a conflict of interest! Is this considered journalism? Can Discovery protect their source?

[Sky Sutton]

02:12 PM on 01/29/2012

My name is Sky Sutton. I am one of Popcorn Sutton's daughters. I must protest this product being called "Popcorn's". Popcorn did not build the stills being used. The recipe is questionable. (Contrary to popular belief Popcorn's recipe was not a secret.) And since our father has been gone since March 16, 2009 he sure didn't run that shine. It isn't Popcorn's at all. It's Hank's.

[EndTheFed1411]

03:02 PM on 01/06/2012

@HawaiiShira, Yes another example of the many things wrong with the current system we operate within. The Free Market has been under attack for hundreds of years. The "Moonshiners" are a great example of what is actually wrong in the world. They are providing a good in which others will pay their hard earned money for. Unfortunatley the law justifies itself by saying they are there to protect us from dangers.
A great example is the officer who is chasing the "Shiners." He says that there is bad moonshine out there that contains toxins that will kill people. Ok, lets say someone buys some bad shine and dies. The market will work itself out and NO ONE would buy from that still anymore, shutting the "bad" moonshiners out of business. The law has no place in the Free Market. People are not stupid and adults can make descions for themselves. I love the men and women who risk their lives to preserve what is left of Freedom in this country. The Free Market, which we have never actually seen anywhere in the world provides a solution to so many problems in this world we live in. Peace and Prosperity is for everybody, not just for those who govern from high above.

[Shiggity]

07:52 PM on 01/05/2012

why would he kill himself

[Anny Seavey]

04:04 PM on 01/05/2012

I am enraged that our country has revenue officers that would have arrested a 70 + year old man in and let the law tear him apart and cause him to kill himself instead of losing his freedom for what a few thousand dollars of tax money!!! I sure hope you are proud of your selves you sub human control freeks. Why don't you put these guys on the trail of the guys who really aren't paying taxes and hiding it in Swiss banks and the Caiman islands!
Virginia and W. Virginia I realize you are poor states but your citizens really deserve better leaders to protect your citizens.
Help them become legal instead of having to do something illegal to get enough money to become legal.! 200 thousand to start -! Where is a back woods farmer suposed to come up with that kind of money ?!!!--You could employ a lot of people with all those different recipes for moonshine--- all sorts of new businesses could be started--- and moonshiners get good lawyers that can't be bought to help you. You are shrewd in you own areas but will be lost in the big money playground.

[Sky Sutton]

02:14 PM on 01/29/2012

Popcorn was 62 years old when he died. Many people think he was much older than he was.

[HawaiiShira]

06:34 AM on 01/05/2012

We've been watching Moonshiners, with a bit of amusement and bewilderment. Popcorn Sutton was a colorful character, that added a bit more salty language to his stereotypical moonshiner image. One had to respect his craft, he stuck to his guns of using on the purest of water & the best ingredients, attested by his continuing legacy of Popcorn Sutton White Whiskey.

That said, it was disheartening to once again see law enforcement agents focusing their efforts on gathering information on "nip joints" where poor, primarily Black clients would go to private homes where bars set up would serve visitors shots of moonshine, and the agents round up patrons & a few prostitutes.

Yet one of the biggest producers of moonshine, Tim, is the respectable fire chief, who with his sidekick Tickle, produce tens of thousands of $$ in moonshine, & get off Scott free. This is the perfect example of unequal justice in this country.