I've had 2 batches of shine before...one had the slight taste and smell of corn, the other had a similar smell and taste but of straight alcohol, like vodka and rubbing alcohol mixed. The latter batch was also a lot more potent. Was the first shit not made right?
They all have unique smells, depends on the skill of the person makin it! We always tested it with a drop of the tongue. If it makes your eyes water and fall down lol, its good shit. Ive had some so strong one wiffll knock ya on yer ass
I enjoy making moonshine as a hobby and have made quite a few batches of sour mash corn whiskey. You need a hydrometer to tell the alcohol content although if it will light on fire and burn for a bit it's at least 100 proof. I don't bother with anything weaker than that. Sounds like the first batch was decent if you could taste the corn. The second batch you described could have been a sugar based mash which tastes like shit usually or maybe it was some everclear being sold as shine. Without more experience in making it or at least tasting a few more batches you won't be able to tell what is good shine. I like my product to be strong, with a taste of corn and a clean finish and smell,sometimes a bit sweet like rum or tequila. Never should it have a burnt or chemical flavor, or be anything but perfectly clear, and the rubbing alcohol stuff is junk. Good shine will give you a nice clean buzz and not give you a bad hangover. Bad hangovers are in part caused by methonol, the cause of blindness in significant quanitities, we only should be drinking ethonol. Enjoy the shine but be carefull.