A look at the popular show Moonshiners: What is fake, what is not
If you’ve ever watched Discovery Channel’s hit TV show “Moonshiners”, you may have pondered at some point: Is this real life? The short answer is: No, not really. But here’s the question you should be asking: Is any of it real? With hundreds if not thousands of reality shows coming and going in the intervening years, viewers are savvier. Expectations have changed. If the cast of the Discovery Network show “Moonshiners” has been thumbing their nose at the revenuers for all these seasons, wouldn’t somebody, somewhere have gotten busted?
The show “Moonshiners” is considered a docudrama. It has some basis in reality, but the show takes quite a few creative liberties. Most of the show is staged and has producers and actors. However, some of the characters from the show do have a brand of moonshine. Also, there may be a few historical accuracies portrayed in the show.
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Is any of the show Moonshiners real?
That is a complicated question that includes a discussion about the very nature of reality. And, of course, just how much folks want to accept a level of fakeness. We’ll start with the obvious. The very act of observing reality changes it. This is a TV show with cameras, producers, directors and editors. It’s produced by Magilla Entertainment, a production company that is also associated with other reality TV shows, which often have people doing a portrayal that is some version of themselves. Maybe it’s a fairly close version of themselves. Tickle on “Moonshiners”, for instance, is probably not going to the opera or spending a lot of time in the library when not running ‘shine. “Moonshiners” is more of a docudrama, meaning it may have some basis in reality but includes quite a few creative liberties.
How do moonshiners get away with it on TV?
Historically, what makes moonshine distillers illegal isn’t the illicit nature of the whiskey cooking. It’s untaxed sales and making it without a permit. This is why so many moonshine distilleries openly make and sell moonshine. Moonshiners historically battle the IRS and not say, the ATF. So if the moonshiners on the show obtain the proper permits and pay the appropriate taxes, they can walk around in the woods making as much corn mash alcohol as they want without ever breaking a law.
The show is centered around the Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. In March 2012, the Virginia ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement confirmed this. They indicated that they’d have made some arrests if illegal activity was going on. They also stated in the Associated Press that they were not taking part in the false depiction of moonshine manufacturing. Also, many of the “Moonshiners” cast members have indicated that television footage isn’t evidence. They could just have water in those stills, after all. Cast members, whose apparent legal expertise is quite impressive, also empirically state that they have to be caught in the act.
Mark and Digger partner with Sugarlands Distillery
A few show characters have partnered with major moonshine brands as well. Notably, Mark and Digger have partnered with Sugarlands Distilling Company, the official moonshine of NASCAR. The distillery is located in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. Sugarlands will occasionally offer meet and greets with the cast of “Moonshiners”.
Mark and Digger aren’t the only ones dabbling in legal distilleries. Climax is part of Tim Smith Spirits. According to the “About” page, he is a third-generation moonshiner.
Moonshine culture in Appalachia
I want to note that there’s one last layer to the reality that we need to address. It’s the history of moonshine, aka white lightning, and the influence of the culture upon itself. They say a lot of mobsters adjusted the way they talked, acted and conducted themselves in the wake of the “Godfather” movies. Are these moonshiners portraying the truest versions of themselves or are they acting how they have been taught a moonshiner acts? For example, in the first season, “Moonshiners” relied heavily on footage from the documentary “Last Dam Run of Likker I’ll Ever Make” with (Marvin) Popcorn Sutton.
Sutton was not around for the filming of “Moonshiners”. He was a world-famous moonshiner. His distinctive figure, dress and “colorful” way of expressing himself added to his reputation as a master craftsman in the art of moonshine. How much of what Sutton showed the world was authentic Marvin and how much was a created character? By the end, I’m not sure Sutton himself even knew. Sutton’s legacy looms large over the moonshine community. Ultimately, it’s a secret that producers don’t want us to know. I suspect most moonshiners would tell you they present their authentic selves to the world. But ego and id are strange, capricious things. Is this real life? Maybe none of us truly know.
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Reality tv is what it is. I love the show keep filming it.
I love the moonshiners show. Real or not. The people are awesome. I can see that could be done for real. But if it is illegal these guys would be arrested. Keep running the show. It is really interesting.
They have to be caught in act of making it to be arrested
No they don’t . If they are caught with it in hand . Including any structure they own or rent lease or in vehicle .
Technically from the moment you light the fire your breaking the law .
I absolutely LOVE the show. Keep filming!!!
Love it
My father was in the making of spirits and I like the show but some things are not possible that these guys proclaim in their operation
It’s a cool show, needs some women in it ya hurd me ? Maybe some car chases
It’s like wrestling, I know it’s all fake but the characters are hilarious…love it!
In one show Mark and Digger had Daniel make a Ram Pump. Pumped water uphill, must have been a heck of a pump. Showed 2 pictures of the pump, outlet valve was closed both times.
I know this show is as fake as it get’s. It’s about being entertained. I love the show & watch it every week.
With the correct permits Discovery company can make as much liquor as they want as long as they pay revenue taxes. The cast are just employees making the spirits no matter if it’s in the woods or out back in the barn. So yes it’s real in as far as they are a legal distillery but the cast are not making it illegal. Tim Smith (Climax Distillery) and Sugarland Distillery are business partners with DISCOVERY. Love the show.
I feel as though I’m right there. Even better when they show old pictures…. I will definitely keep watching. Thank you all. 🏆
I love the show keep it going!
I don’t care for Master Distillers !
I love the show as well. Master Distillers, too, although this one is in total support of their commercial arm, which is taking over &, I believe, compromising the show’s integrity. Pipe it down, boys. Remember the truth of Lance’s father puking at first taste of a shine they made? Brutal honesty. Now, every single concoction anyone comes up with is “the absolute BEST thing they’ve ever made.” Then it appears in the store. Give us a break! Of all the people to go corporate! Tim Smith is my least favorite because of his arrogance. Digger seems tired. Take care, good man. Mark Ramsey looks like another of my favorites, James Spader [in “Blacklist”]. All good wishes to Jerry– give your rehab its due time & course. Commit to it. Won’t have to be forever if you do it right at this time. Mike became likeable because of his love for you. Surprised even himself, & impressed me. I’m surrounding you in white lights, Jerry.
Other than that…….. THIS IS MY FAVORITE SHOW, hands down & bottoms up!
I concluded all reality shows are as real as professional wrestling.
Who cares whether it’s real life or just fantasy it’s great entertainment and there is a wealth of knowledge if you watch a lot of people and watch the show and learn a lot where I’m from Dart very many of the old Moonshiners left the newer generation has begun to leave it smart but nothing like the older folks and it’s not about sales it’s about friendships bonfires and Backwoods fun so keep the episodes are coming you ever want to meet some decent Moonshiners there’s a whole lot of Us in holler heaven West Virginia
Lovetheshowkeepitgoing
Fantastic show, I look forward to watching it every week. These people are carrying on a Family Tradition that hopefully will never be lost.
Been watching the show from day one when Tickle fell off the roof and busted ribs. Tim found out the extreme cost of going legal. People are right though as long as taxes are being paid they’ll pretty much be left alone. Only thing I wonder is in the woods the health dept can’t be down their throat to keep the product clean and safe but then again they use new jars and it’s being boiled to make sterile. I live in Ky and one day I’m going to get south or east to meet some these guys and find out what’s real and what’s not. I’m sure a lot is staged but regardless these guys are mountain guys. Don’t care a lot for time he tries to talk and be more professional than he is. Master Distiller I think their running out of ideas these days.
Really enjoy the shows. I like the guys brewing, the scenery and the antics. Please keep it going, It’s great to watch!
LOVE THE SHOW, PLEASE DON’T STOP FILMING.
When Jim Tom thought he could sing and went to a studio to record, now THAT was reality. All the rest, like Mark and Digger cooking off a test batch in a small town building? Not-so-much. I do enjoy the technical discussions about mashing-in and new ways to fast-age.
But the big question. Could someone do this at home for personal use without getting caught or voiding their home insurance?!?
Yes I know plenty of people that do it. As long as u don’t sell it it’s not illegal. U can buy a still off Walmart.com
All I know is this. Several years ago, my wife and I were returning to NY from vacation in Richmond, Va. I don’t remember how I discovered it, but I learned that Tim’s Distillery wasn’t too far out of the way (or so I thought) while heading toward Culpeper. We went “over the river and through the woods” on a cold, rainy day, and when we finally reached the distillery, I thought, “I’m so far off the main road that glad I’m packing … ” Naturally, it was a great place, the store clerk was really nice; I bought a case of “shine” and made a clean getaway. Turned out to be a great experience, and I’d recommend the side-trip just for the fun of it. (I can buy the same stuff down the block at the liquor store here in NY.)
U can buy different moonshine in store but it’s not as good as his
The State of Oregon runs the liquor stores in this state so it is sometimes hard to find unique products.
Great show, been watching since day one. Love the characters, especially Josh, that pour [guy] gets himself in more doo doo than anyone I know and keeps on going, but I myself am not a fan of Tim and Howard trying to recreate shine from the past (boring to me) put Tim back in the woods….looking forward to next episodes
… I’ve never watched it and never will. I even turn the channel when the commercials are in about it. You viewers need to get a life
We love the show and hope to have many more seasons! We’ve been watching for years. We look forward to the night that show is on and I want to make a trip to the Smoky Mountains. Mark and Digger are our favorite but really we love all the people in the show!
My husband and I love the show. Mike not so much anymore
Send Richard and his brother packing.
This is my all time favorite reality show. I’ve been a fan since episode 1.
My grandfather was a local legend here in N.C., and I’m a huge fan of the history of distillation, not only here in my home state, but all over the United States. Keep the episodes and spin offs coming! Thank you!
The show is phoney as all get out