What is moonshine?

At O'Donnell Moonshine, tradition meets new worlds of flavour. We fill our spirits in stylish mason jars, just like the gangsters did during the American Prohibition. Our name is reminiscent of the illegally distilled moonshine and Spike O'Donnell, the leader of one of Chicago's most notorious moonshine gangs.

The story behind moonshine

The origins of our moonshine lie in the first third of the 20th century in the USA - the time of Prohibition.

In 1919, the production and sale of alcohol was banned, which had devastating consequences.

Unemployment was followed by crime and corruption.

The population resisted the law and rebelled by continuing to distil liquor illegally on farms, selling it to bootleggers and serving it in speakeasies.

So people continued to drink and the bootlegging gangs had the power over the alcohol business.

The consequences for the state were considerable tax losses and so the law was ultimately overturned by then President Roosevelt.

Spike O'Donnell

The leader of one of these gangs was Edward ‘Spike’ O'Donnell (1890-1962) - our namesake.

He led the South Side Gang in Chicago and fought bloody battles with their opponents during the Chicago Beer Wars.

Although Spike was a ruthless gangster, quality was always important to him, which is why he stuck to producers of German descent.

He retired from the business in 1925 after an accident and after the notorious Al Capone took over.

But Spike's story and the Prohibition era lives on in our O'Donnell Moonshine.

You can find out more about O'donnell Moonshine on our website www.depot-schneiders.lu