“A gallon of whiskey [bore] … $11 tax. You could make it for 75 cents to a dollar and sell it for $3 or $4. . . . It’s the same way today if you beat the government out of taxes. It’s what everyone was trying to do back then.” Junior Johnson, quoted in Peter Golenbock, American Zoom (MacMillan, New York, 1993), page 22.
The federal liquor tax from 1951 to 1985 was $10.50 per proof gallon. It’s $13.50 today, but with inflation, the tax burden is much less now.
The Center for New Revenue 
My mom left notes after she passed referring to bootlegging in Kentucky in the 1950’s. As I am interested in deciphering her random notes, I wanted to find out how prevalent it was and if her notes are true memories o not. She basically accuses my father of being involved in this underground network. I can see that bootleggers could sell for less money due to taxes, but I don’t see much about this activity in the 50’s.
Thank you for any information you can share.
I know little but am trying to learn more.