The problem with most shine is, it is not aged at all. Smoothness in any whiskey, can be related to what it's made of, but typically has a great deal more to do with the aging process. Most distillers use charred oak barrels for aging, as the charcoal in the charred barrel filters out impurities that impart the bitter flavor, and they give the whiskey it's brown color. Once any alcohol enters the glass bottle, the aging process ends; there is no charcoal there to further filter out the impurities, aging ceases. So sitting a bottle on your shelf for 40 years, waiting on it to age, isn't making it better.
Does it burn going down? It's been my experience that most shine is called sipping whiskey for a reason. You take a big swallow, and you'll be hanging off the porch gasping for air, like you've been kicked in the nuts. Eyes watering, nose running, slobber running off your tongue. Do not believe that tip the jug up and knock back 3 - 4 big gulps, straight out the still BS you see on TV; that isn't shine they're drinking. Brandy you might get away with it, Rye whiskey maybe, as it is a bit smoother, but most corn whiskey will take your breath for long enough that you'll think you're going to pass out before you can breath again.
Best I ever had, was double filtered through a charcoal trickle filter bed, rather than aging in a barrel. The charcoal was made from Apple wood. That stuff would burn a pretty blue flame for quite some time if you poured a teaspoon full in an ashtray, but it tasted like watered down apple juice. Absolutely insane!! No hint of alcohol at all, no bite, no bitter flavor, just tasted like watered down apple juice. It was downright scary!!
As for the show... Tickle's Takes are too much. Been about in tears on a few of those. I know several rednecks just like him!