Moonshiners Share their Favorite Memories from 130-Plus Years of Experience

Tim Smith

1. How many years have you been making moonshine?

50 years

2. Describe moonshining in three words.

Clear, Cold, Cash.

3. Most memorable moonshining experience?

My first legal bottle.

4. Favorite moonshine you've ever made?

Strawberry

5. Message for the fans:

Stay safe if you're making [moonshine], and keep watching Moonshiners.

Howard Thompson

1. How long have you been making moonshine?

I’ve been making moonshine for the last five years. I haven’t been in it as long as Tim and them, but once I got inspired by them, I took the reins and ran with it. I used to be a bootlegger running across the mountain. Now I’m the one in the mountains making ‘shine.

2. Describe moonshining:

Freedom. Rebellion. Good Times.

3. Most memorable moonshining exprerience?

The first time I got to run moonshine with Tim Smith. Me and him have always kicked it around the woods, we've always worked together, I’ve always helped him do everything, but when he took me under his wing and let me start learning from him and getting to make moonshine with him, that’s when I felt like I made it to the top.

4. Favorite moonshine you've ever made?

Apple pie. It seems simple to a lot of people, but it’s near and dear to everybody’s hearts. It comes around once a year and it knocks everybody’s socks off.

5. Message for the fans:

To all you Moonshiners fans out there, I just want to say keep on ‘shining, do what you do, keep your head held high — and watch us and stay tuned.

Digger Manes

1. How many years have you been making moonshine?

Soon it will be 38 years that I have been following with this stuff.

2. Describe moonshining in three words.

Back breaking work!

3. Most memorable moonshining moment?

The first time we ran the Big Asheville Still (3800 gallon still). It ran likker for 23 hours on sweet mash and 27 hours on the next (sour mash) run.

4. Favorite moonshine you ever made?

The Hazelnut Rum

5. Message for the fans:

Thanks for making all our hard work worthwhile!

Mark Ramsey

1. How many years have you been moonshining?

North of 30.

2. Describe moonshining in three words.

Best job ever.

3. Most memorable moonshining experience?

When my first jar from my very first run was full.

4. Favorite moonshine you've ever made?

Rye Apple.

5. Message for the fans:

If this is something you think you would like to do, then by all means get busy. Don’t look back and regret never trying.