Double Run
In Southern and Appalachian moonshining, double run refers to liquor that has been distilled twice to make it cleaner, stronger, and smoother than a single run of shine.
synonyms: double-distilled, second run, twice-run whiskey
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Double run' isn't one of those that every came up in our house growin' up, but we weren't into shinin'. Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Double run' isn't one of those that every came up in our house growin' up, but we weren't into shinin'. Pronunciation
[DUH-buhl RUN]
/ˈdʌb.əl rʌn/
/ˈdʌb.əl rʌn/
Meaning & Usage
- Liquor distilled twice for higher proof and purity (moonshine term)
Earl:
This batch tastes mighty clean.
This batch tastes mighty clean.
Mae:
It ought to - it’s a double run.
It ought to - it’s a double run.★ A double run ain’t just stronger - it burns cleaner. That second distillation strips out off-flavors and fusel oils, giving you shine that’ll go down smoother and smell less like the mash it came from. ★
Origin and Etymology
The term comes from traditional Appalachian and Southern moonshining practices. Early mountain distillers learned that running low wines (the first run) through the still a second time created a purer and more marketable spirit. This method predates Prohibition but became widely associated with Southern backwoods distillers during the 1920s-1940s.
Usage Notes
Still common in Southern and Appalachian distilling circles, both legal and illicit. Modern craft whiskey makers use the formal term "double distillation," but the old phrase double run remains tied to mountain methods and moonshine culture.
- Common alongside terms like "single run," "low wines," and "high proof."
- Indicates higher-quality shine, often sold at a premium.
- Appears frequently in oral histories of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Appalachian distillers.
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How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 6). Double Run. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/double-run
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Double Run." HillbillySlang.com, 6 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/double-run.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Double Run." HillbillySlang.com. December 6, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/double-run.
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