Taxes imposed upon whiskey after the American Revolution and the War of 1812 couldn't be collected -- bad roads, a lack of communication, etc. prevented it. Taxes were again imposed after the Civil War, and this time the whiskey was required to be aged in charred barrels. This imparted the "red" color and meant that the taxes were paid.

So we are still paying off the Civil War....

Also, a well-made still doesn't use old car radiators or lead. It's pure copper, brazed where needed, and doesn't impart any more impurities into it than would be imparted at a commercial distillery.

The lead, etc. comes from the quick-turnover, high-volume demanded during Prohibition. Even today you can, if you know the right folks, obtain pure, copper-distilled, grain whiskey that's avoided taxes. And it tastes right good, too.