single/singling
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singling(s) noun In moonshining, the low-proof liquor produced by the initial distillation run. [DARE calls this term "chiefly southern Appalachians"]
1808 (in 1956 Eliason Tarheel Talk 294) (Wilkes Co NC) Beaten Allum put in the singling will make the whiskey good & clear. 1881 Atkinson After Moonshiners 20 In addition to the copper still, a copper or tin worm is necessary. It is submerged in cold water, which chills the steam as it passes from the still through the worm, and transposes it from a vapor into a liquid substance called “singlings” or low wines. 1913 Kephart Our Sthn High 135 The product of this first distillation (the “low wines” of the trade, the “singlings” of the blockader) is a weak and impure liquid, which must be distilled at a lower temperature to rid it of water and rank oils. 1949 Maurer Argot Moonshiner 12 = low-proof liquor which does not contain enough alcohol to be considered whisky. This liquor has been run through the still only once in cases where two stills or two distilling operations are used. Also applied to the condensate in the thump keg: “That ain’t likker, that’s jest singlin’s.” 1968 End of Moonshining 55 All the beer was run through, a stillful at a time; and the results of each run (“singlins”) saved at the other end. When all the beer had been run through once, the still was thoroughly cleaned, and then all the “singlins” placed into the still at one time. Then the stillful of “singlins” was run through. The result was the “doublins,” or good whiskey. 1992 Gabbard Thunder Road 150 The first time they run the mash, it was pretty poor. They called it “singlin’s,” 50 or 60 proof, something like that. They'd pour it back in the mash or give it to young boys who worked the still because it was weak and they wouldn’t get drunk as quick. When they ran it the second time, they was called “doublin’s.” That was the moonshine they sold.