1
00:00:00,978 --> 00:00:03,912
[narrator] this time
on master distiller,
2
00:00:03,914 --> 00:00:05,113
three appalachian states...
3
00:00:05,115 --> 00:00:06,615
[tim johnson] ohio,
stepping up.
4
00:00:06,617 --> 00:00:08,083
[jon bray] alabama represent.
5
00:00:08,085 --> 00:00:10,285
I can see why this sells good
in west virginia.
6
00:00:10,287 --> 00:00:13,488
[narrator] three
distinct styles
of corn liquor.
7
00:00:13,490 --> 00:00:18,794
These are three rough-looking,
outlaw, corn-cooking-making
moonshiners right here.
8
00:00:18,796 --> 00:00:20,195
[narrator]
it's west virginia...
9
00:00:20,197 --> 00:00:21,863
Not cocky, just confident.
10
00:00:21,865 --> 00:00:23,065
[narrator] versus ohio...
11
00:00:23,067 --> 00:00:24,332
Tastes like cornbread.
12
00:00:24,334 --> 00:00:26,068
[narrator]
versus alabama...
13
00:00:26,336 --> 00:00:27,803
She's a rolling now.
14
00:00:27,805 --> 00:00:30,739
[narrator] ...To find out
who makes the best
outlaw corn liquor.
15
00:00:30,741 --> 00:00:34,109
We got
an appalachian standoff.
16
00:00:34,111 --> 00:00:38,647
[narrator] across the country,
a handful of amateur
distillers are heirs
17
00:00:38,649 --> 00:00:41,016
to a centuries-old tradition.
18
00:00:42,386 --> 00:00:45,087
Some operate
on the legal side.
19
00:00:45,089 --> 00:00:49,191
Others practice their craft
beyond the reach of the law.
20
00:00:49,193 --> 00:00:51,726
Now they'll face off
to earn their place
21
00:00:51,728 --> 00:00:53,995
in america's
liquor-making legacy.
22
00:00:53,997 --> 00:00:54,930
It's still looking
pretty good.
23
00:00:54,932 --> 00:00:56,998
[digger] it looks like
a jar of water.
24
00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:59,634
[narrator] judged by
three legendary moonshiners,
25
00:00:59,636 --> 00:01:02,838
they'll go head-to-head
in a series of challenges.
26
00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:08,176
Time to bring the best
appalachian corn liquor
we've seen to date.
27
00:01:08,178 --> 00:01:10,846
[narrator] to determine
who has what it takes...
28
00:01:10,848 --> 00:01:12,914
I don't disappoint.
29
00:01:12,916 --> 00:01:15,784
[narrator] to be named
master distiller.
30
00:01:15,786 --> 00:01:18,053
I ain't ever had no rules
for making moonshine.
31
00:01:18,055 --> 00:01:19,955
-No.
-Just one. Don't get caught.
32
00:01:19,957 --> 00:01:21,022
[man laughing]
33
00:01:30,501 --> 00:01:32,701
boys, I wanna welcome you all
to master distiller.
34
00:01:32,703 --> 00:01:34,736
We're fixing to put
you all's skills
to the test.
35
00:01:34,738 --> 00:01:39,608
We got
a appalachian standoff,
outlawed corn whisky.
36
00:01:39,610 --> 00:01:43,945
I'm really looking forward
to tasting what you all are
gonna put in these jars, guys.
37
00:01:43,947 --> 00:01:46,615
It's gonna be a tough one.
We ain't easy on them.
38
00:01:46,617 --> 00:01:48,583
Number 1, you're gonna get
your bragging rights.
39
00:01:48,585 --> 00:01:51,953
Number 2, you'll get
a run of your liquor
in a major distillery.
40
00:01:51,955 --> 00:01:54,789
-That's pretty awesome
just in itself.
-Yes, it is.
41
00:01:54,791 --> 00:01:58,226
This is our wheelhouse.
This is what we love.
42
00:01:58,228 --> 00:02:00,562
And we're expecting
good things from you.
43
00:02:00,564 --> 00:02:04,833
All three of you all are part
of the appalachian tradition
of making corn liquor.
44
00:02:04,835 --> 00:02:08,370
I mean, you got west virginia,
you got ohio
and you got alabama.
45
00:02:08,939 --> 00:02:11,306
Tickle! Tell us about it.
46
00:02:11,808 --> 00:02:13,742
When people think
of appalachia,
47
00:02:13,744 --> 00:02:17,512
they think about places
like the smoky mountains
in kentucky.
48
00:02:17,514 --> 00:02:19,848
But, really, the appalachian
mountains, they run
49
00:02:19,850 --> 00:02:23,718
from way up in new york
all the way down to alabama.
50
00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:25,754
Most of the europeans,
who settled these mountains,
51
00:02:25,756 --> 00:02:27,889
came from scotland
and ireland.
52
00:02:27,891 --> 00:02:29,457
But they not only brought
their stills with them,
53
00:02:29,459 --> 00:02:31,760
they brought their love
of making liquor.
54
00:02:31,762 --> 00:02:35,997
Since corn grew better here
than wheat, or barley,
that's what they ran.
55
00:02:35,999 --> 00:02:39,968
And that's how appalachian
corn liquor got its start.
56
00:02:39,970 --> 00:02:43,872
During prohibition,
illegal distillation boomed.
57
00:02:43,874 --> 00:02:46,474
Backwoods distillers,
all across appalachia,
58
00:02:46,476 --> 00:02:48,543
sent their moonshine
to the thirsty cities.
59
00:02:48,545 --> 00:02:52,914
Pretty soon, everybody knew
about the corn liquor
from the mountains.
60
00:02:52,916 --> 00:02:58,853
Now, there's a lot of hidden,
local recipes out there,
just waiting to be discovered.
61
00:02:58,855 --> 00:03:00,121
We're about to try some.
62
00:03:00,724 --> 00:03:01,856
Oh, that tastes like home.
63
00:03:03,860 --> 00:03:06,461
All right, guys.
Now it's time
to get down to business.
64
00:03:06,463 --> 00:03:08,964
You all brought your own
individual recipes
from your own region.
65
00:03:08,966 --> 00:03:12,100
We wanna see
what we can learn
from you all as well.
66
00:03:12,102 --> 00:03:16,538
So, good luck to you.
You got one hour,
starting now.
67
00:03:18,909 --> 00:03:22,277
[narrator] contestants will
use their trademark recipes
68
00:03:22,846 --> 00:03:25,547
to create a regional
corn liquor base
69
00:03:25,549 --> 00:03:28,316
that must carry them
throughout the competition.
70
00:03:29,886 --> 00:03:31,886
Jon, tell us
about your grain bill
over there.
71
00:03:31,888 --> 00:03:33,688
Man, I went pretty simple.
72
00:03:33,690 --> 00:03:35,657
There's a guy down the road
from us that's got a farm
73
00:03:35,659 --> 00:03:38,126
and we went to his farm
and got all the corn.
74
00:03:38,128 --> 00:03:41,329
We ground it up into
just about cornmeal,
it's pretty fine.
75
00:03:41,331 --> 00:03:42,697
-About, like, grits.
-[jon] right.
76
00:03:42,699 --> 00:03:43,498
[both] yeah.
77
00:03:43,500 --> 00:03:45,300
-It's just a straight corn--
-yeah.
78
00:03:45,302 --> 00:03:46,701
[jon] you know what they say.
If it ain't broke,
don't fix it.
79
00:03:46,703 --> 00:03:49,137
If it ain't broke,
don't fix it.
80
00:03:49,139 --> 00:03:53,908
Actually, jimbo, you remember
from alabama, that won
the master distiller before.
81
00:03:53,910 --> 00:03:55,510
-Right.
-He's his nephew.
82
00:03:55,512 --> 00:03:57,812
-[digger] jimbo.
-Yes, sir.
83
00:03:57,814 --> 00:04:00,915
You hit your flavor profile
through and through.
You're the master distiller.
84
00:04:00,917 --> 00:04:01,816
Congratulations.
85
00:04:01,852 --> 00:04:04,085
Alabama represent.
86
00:04:04,087 --> 00:04:07,922
So, we got another
alabama, appalachian,
corn liquor maker.
87
00:04:07,924 --> 00:04:09,891
She's a rolling now.
88
00:04:09,893 --> 00:04:12,761
I'm jonathan bray and I'm
from carbon hill, alabama.
89
00:04:12,763 --> 00:04:14,863
By day, I work
for the road department
90
00:04:14,865 --> 00:04:18,066
and after hours,
you can catch me
in a still house.
91
00:04:18,068 --> 00:04:19,501
This is
where the magic happens.
92
00:04:19,503 --> 00:04:22,170
Making liquor, it's always
been in my family.
93
00:04:22,172 --> 00:04:24,239
My great-grandfather
made liquor and then,
94
00:04:24,241 --> 00:04:26,308
it was just passed down
to my uncle.
95
00:04:26,310 --> 00:04:26,841
What's up, nephew?
96
00:04:26,843 --> 00:04:28,743
What about it?
97
00:04:28,745 --> 00:04:31,680
And it sparked even more
of an interest in me,
so I took up to it,
98
00:04:31,682 --> 00:04:34,015
and just been following
his footsteps.
99
00:04:34,017 --> 00:04:36,618
I got some cranberry liquor
getting made right here.
100
00:04:36,620 --> 00:04:38,853
My butter-cran.
It's what I'm known for.
101
00:04:38,855 --> 00:04:43,758
Butterscotch is very popular
in the south,
especially in alabama.
102
00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:45,593
To me, it means a lot
to be from alabama.
103
00:04:45,595 --> 00:04:46,895
We say alabama represent.
104
00:04:46,897 --> 00:04:48,863
We say roll tide
where legends are made.
105
00:04:48,865 --> 00:04:50,832
We live off the land.
It's what we do.
106
00:04:50,834 --> 00:04:52,400
So, that's
what I'm here to do today.
107
00:04:52,402 --> 00:04:56,171
I'm hoping that this isn't
my first and last step.
Hope that I win.
108
00:04:56,173 --> 00:05:00,008
Winning master distiller would
definitely give me
the validation that I need.
109
00:05:00,010 --> 00:05:01,810
It would give me
the confidence
110
00:05:01,812 --> 00:05:05,780
and the title behind me,
to push and to sell liquor.
111
00:05:05,782 --> 00:05:07,148
[aaron] warming up
in here already.
112
00:05:07,517 --> 00:05:08,783
[digger] oh, yeah.
113
00:05:08,985 --> 00:05:11,820
I'm from ohio, way up north,
so it's, uh,
chillier up there.
114
00:05:11,822 --> 00:05:13,521
You're gonna love it here.
115
00:05:15,659 --> 00:05:18,026
My name is tim johnson.
I'm from vermilion, ohio.
116
00:05:18,028 --> 00:05:20,628
This whole area is
peach orchards.
117
00:05:20,630 --> 00:05:23,898
Don't have no
problem getting any corn.
118
00:05:23,900 --> 00:05:28,002
I'm a multi-generation
moonshiner and, uh,
I built my own still.
119
00:05:28,004 --> 00:05:30,839
Gotta make sure
all these are tight,
so they don't leak.
120
00:05:30,841 --> 00:05:33,541
I worked at ford motor company
for 33 years.
121
00:05:33,543 --> 00:05:35,510
And, um, I think
being a mechanic,
122
00:05:35,512 --> 00:05:37,612
and working on the race car,
really helped me out.
123
00:05:37,614 --> 00:05:39,981
Over here's
where I just ran some corn.
124
00:05:39,983 --> 00:05:41,883
My favorite liquor
to make is corn.
125
00:05:41,885 --> 00:05:43,184
I just love the taste of it.
126
00:05:44,087 --> 00:05:46,488
I love the smell of it,
when it's cooking
in the garage.
127
00:05:46,490 --> 00:05:48,556
The smell smells
like you're in a bakery.
128
00:05:48,558 --> 00:05:49,858
I put a burner
underneath my thumper,
129
00:05:49,860 --> 00:05:52,694
so when I run fruits in here,
I can heat it up.
130
00:05:52,696 --> 00:05:54,162
I'm kind of like
an old-school guy,
131
00:05:54,164 --> 00:05:56,965
but I throw a little twist
of new-school guy in there.
132
00:05:56,967 --> 00:05:58,032
I love experimenting.
133
00:05:58,034 --> 00:05:59,701
They call me
the mad scientist,
134
00:05:59,703 --> 00:06:02,003
all my friends do,
and my wife.
135
00:06:02,005 --> 00:06:05,106
I try different things
and sometimes it works,
sometimes it don't.
136
00:06:05,108 --> 00:06:06,241
[whistles, coughs]
137
00:06:06,510 --> 00:06:07,742
130 proof.
138
00:06:07,744 --> 00:06:09,577
Need to tone
that down a little bit.
139
00:06:09,579 --> 00:06:10,912
I think if I win
master distiller,
140
00:06:10,914 --> 00:06:14,115
that I could, uh, have
the courage to go in
141
00:06:14,117 --> 00:06:16,885
to starting my own little
craft distillery.
142
00:06:16,887 --> 00:06:18,887
I think it would
change my life.
143
00:06:18,889 --> 00:06:21,689
[aaron] I've never had
one of these
fancy temperature gages.
144
00:06:21,691 --> 00:06:22,991
I don't know
if we're right or not.
145
00:06:22,993 --> 00:06:25,059
I know if I stick
my hand in there
146
00:06:25,061 --> 00:06:26,528
and I say, "damn it,
it's hot in there."
147
00:06:26,530 --> 00:06:29,130
that's what I do,
it's like scalding a hog.
148
00:06:29,132 --> 00:06:31,699
You know, aaron bass, here,
there's a good chance
149
00:06:31,701 --> 00:06:35,503
-that he's made and sold
as much liquor as we have.
-[digger] oh.
150
00:06:35,505 --> 00:06:38,306
My name's aaron bass
and I'm from west virginia.
151
00:06:38,975 --> 00:06:42,811
By trade, I'm an electrician,
for the last 25 years.
152
00:06:42,813 --> 00:06:45,880
Been making liquor
too long to remember.
153
00:06:45,882 --> 00:06:48,650
Pull cold water
out of the creek down here,
154
00:06:48,652 --> 00:06:50,819
to cool this thing off
and make liquor.
155
00:06:50,821 --> 00:06:53,822
Even though it's illegal,
there's a lot of pride
in making liquor.
156
00:06:53,824 --> 00:06:55,790
Uh, it's an appalachian
heritage.
157
00:06:55,792 --> 00:06:58,860
It's been done for hundreds
and hundreds of years.
158
00:06:58,862 --> 00:07:02,897
And I'm just carrying on
what was started
a long time ago.
159
00:07:02,899 --> 00:07:06,468
This is, uh, watermelon.
Number 1 sellers
in the summertime.
160
00:07:06,470 --> 00:07:09,103
Everything is
all kept upstairs.
161
00:07:09,105 --> 00:07:14,309
I don't write anything down.
I don't measure anything out,
other than rough measurements.
162
00:07:14,778 --> 00:07:17,812
Keep it simple and it works.
163
00:07:17,814 --> 00:07:21,683
Going legal is
kind of a retirement thought.
164
00:07:21,685 --> 00:07:23,985
Winning the title
could be a stepping stone
165
00:07:23,987 --> 00:07:26,120
to that, to help out,
you know.
166
00:07:26,122 --> 00:07:28,022
Looks pretty good on a resume.
167
00:07:28,925 --> 00:07:29,891
Hey, aaron.
168
00:07:29,893 --> 00:07:31,659
Tell me about that corn,
there.
169
00:07:31,661 --> 00:07:35,263
[aaron] that's fresh,
sweet corn,
cut off the cob yesterday.
170
00:07:35,265 --> 00:07:37,799
That all you're gonna do
is fresh corn?
171
00:07:37,801 --> 00:07:39,334
No. Fresh corn and rice.
172
00:07:39,703 --> 00:07:41,102
-Rice?
-[aaron] rice.
173
00:07:41,104 --> 00:07:43,872
-Really?
-That comes
from a japanese buddy.
174
00:07:43,874 --> 00:07:46,174
It gives it just a little
sweeter taste.
175
00:07:46,176 --> 00:07:47,675
-Yeah.
-Well, that'll be
a first for me.
176
00:07:47,677 --> 00:07:49,344
I'm looking forward to that.
177
00:07:49,779 --> 00:07:51,079
Tell me a little bit
of something
178
00:07:51,081 --> 00:07:52,580
about your ingredients
you're using here, today.
179
00:07:52,582 --> 00:07:55,149
Well, my grandpa used to use,
uh, malted corn.
180
00:07:55,151 --> 00:07:56,518
He'd malt in the creek himself
in pillowcases.
181
00:07:56,520 --> 00:07:57,619
Oh, yeah. That's right.
182
00:07:57,621 --> 00:08:00,488
And trying to get close
to his recipe, as possible,
183
00:08:00,490 --> 00:08:03,224
but I add a little kick
to mine with some smoked
wheat in there.
184
00:08:03,226 --> 00:08:05,393
Ohio-grown wheat,
ohio-grown barley.
185
00:08:05,395 --> 00:08:06,861
That's interesting.
186
00:08:06,863 --> 00:08:10,498
Never had any corn liquor
that's had anything
smoked in it.
187
00:08:10,500 --> 00:08:13,735
-Uh-huh.
-So, I'm looking forward
to trying it.
188
00:08:13,737 --> 00:08:15,803
-Who knows?
-That's right.
189
00:08:15,805 --> 00:08:17,472
I'm not afraid
of change at all.
190
00:08:17,474 --> 00:08:19,741
[digger] we've got three
different recipes.
191
00:08:19,743 --> 00:08:21,509
[mark ramsey] they all
in the appalachia, though.
192
00:08:21,511 --> 00:08:23,912
All of them's got corn
and all of them's got sugar.
193
00:08:23,914 --> 00:08:24,746
[digger] right.
194
00:08:24,748 --> 00:08:26,548
Five minutes, boys.
195
00:08:26,550 --> 00:08:28,349
Hope you all are
where you need to be.
196
00:08:32,689 --> 00:08:34,689
[aaron] I ain't ever had
no rules for making moonshine.
197
00:08:34,691 --> 00:08:37,091
-No.
-Just one. Don't get caught.
198
00:08:40,230 --> 00:08:42,430
Done. Boys, step away
from your barrels.
199
00:08:42,432 --> 00:08:46,200
-[aaron exhales]
-we'll get your mash moved
to the mash room.
200
00:08:46,202 --> 00:08:50,071
After that, we'll see you
in five days,
when your mash is done.
201
00:08:56,379 --> 00:08:57,779
All right, boys.
202
00:08:57,814 --> 00:09:02,784
Time to bring the best
appalachian corn liquor
we've seen to date.
203
00:09:02,786 --> 00:09:04,786
[mark ramsey] you all are
on equal ground here.
204
00:09:04,788 --> 00:09:06,821
No thumper, no frills.
205
00:09:06,823 --> 00:09:10,925
The winner of this challenge
gets first pick
of steel parts.
206
00:09:10,927 --> 00:09:15,029
You got four hours
to get us a perfect jar
on the table.
207
00:09:15,031 --> 00:09:17,065
Your time starts now.
208
00:09:17,067 --> 00:09:18,466
Good luck, boys.
209
00:09:20,170 --> 00:09:23,338
-[digger] boys' party's
just getting started.
-[mark ramsey] oh, yeah.
210
00:09:25,075 --> 00:09:25,907
[tim johnson] oh, [bleep].
211
00:09:25,942 --> 00:09:27,942
[digger] always check
your slop valve.
212
00:09:27,944 --> 00:09:30,411
Ain't trying to put
no pressure on you, boys.
213
00:09:30,413 --> 00:09:33,414
But, you know
they's 10,000 people
214
00:09:33,416 --> 00:09:37,852
making corn liquor
in their back shed,
backyard, their barns.
215
00:09:37,854 --> 00:09:38,953
We wanna see what separates
216
00:09:38,955 --> 00:09:40,888
you all's liquor
from the rest.
217
00:09:40,890 --> 00:09:42,991
All together
a different mash, boys.
218
00:09:42,993 --> 00:09:45,293
We're gonna get
some good paste.
219
00:09:45,295 --> 00:09:46,928
Well, everybody's lit up.
220
00:09:46,930 --> 00:09:49,864
What's your mash
feel like, aaron?
You like how it turned out?
221
00:09:49,866 --> 00:09:51,933
[aaron] yeah.
I think it's pretty good.
222
00:09:51,935 --> 00:09:54,702
Corn flavor came through,
it was a little sweet,
223
00:09:54,704 --> 00:09:57,005
so it did exactly
what I hoped it was gonna do.
224
00:09:57,007 --> 00:10:00,141
Guys, two hours left
in your run.
225
00:10:00,143 --> 00:10:02,443
[aaron] I don't like
this stopwatch stuff, boys.
226
00:10:02,445 --> 00:10:04,779
Yeah, you ain't kidding...
[laughs]
227
00:10:04,781 --> 00:10:10,318
these are three rough-looking,
outlaw, corn-cooking-making
moonshiners right here.
228
00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:12,020
I don't know if I wanna
make one of them mad.
229
00:10:12,022 --> 00:10:15,056
I don't give a [bleep],
I ain't scared of hell
or what's in it.
230
00:10:16,159 --> 00:10:16,958
[jon] getting warm up there?
231
00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:18,693
Yeah, it's warm.
232
00:10:18,695 --> 00:10:20,094
[jon] thought I smelled
a little bit of alcohol.
233
00:10:20,096 --> 00:10:22,296
Oh, yeah.
It's coming from over here,
234
00:10:22,966 --> 00:10:24,399
which ain't gonna
be long at all.
235
00:10:24,668 --> 00:10:26,768
Yeah. I went slow, man.
236
00:10:26,770 --> 00:10:29,504
Yeah. I'm going slow too.
You're up a little more
than I am.
237
00:10:29,506 --> 00:10:31,472
-[jon] yeah.
-I'm, like, at 120 right now.
238
00:10:31,775 --> 00:10:32,874
177.
239
00:10:32,876 --> 00:10:35,143
-[jon] you dripping now.
-[aaron] yeah.
240
00:10:35,145 --> 00:10:37,412
I've always heard
what temperature
it starts running at,
241
00:10:37,414 --> 00:10:40,248
but I've never
actually known that.
242
00:10:40,250 --> 00:10:45,119
My version of a thermometer
is if it says 98.6, I'm good,
so...
243
00:10:45,622 --> 00:10:46,854
You can taste this.
244
00:10:47,190 --> 00:10:49,290
It's like taking a bite
of corn off the cob,
right there.
245
00:10:50,894 --> 00:10:52,160
It's pretty good.
246
00:10:52,495 --> 00:10:53,528
[jon] there she blows.
247
00:10:53,563 --> 00:10:56,197
-[tim johnson] getting
dripping?
-[jon] oh, yeah.
248
00:10:56,199 --> 00:10:58,966
-They taste a lot alike,
mine and yours does.
-[aaron] yeah.
249
00:10:58,968 --> 00:11:00,001
It's corn, baby.
250
00:11:00,003 --> 00:11:01,169
-Good try.
-[aaron laughs]
251
00:11:02,272 --> 00:11:04,072
there's gotta be
some coming soon.
252
00:11:04,074 --> 00:11:05,473
There we go.
253
00:11:05,475 --> 00:11:06,774
[man] ohio stepping up.
254
00:11:06,776 --> 00:11:09,277
This is gonna be
the different taste,
I think.
255
00:11:14,050 --> 00:11:15,850
I taste a little bit
of that smoke.
256
00:11:15,852 --> 00:11:17,018
You can, can't you?
257
00:11:17,020 --> 00:11:18,720
That's what gonna
make the difference.
258
00:11:18,722 --> 00:11:20,054
That's what's gonna
set you apart.
259
00:11:20,056 --> 00:11:21,789
[tim johnson] I just hope
it comes through.
260
00:11:21,791 --> 00:11:22,990
You ain't gonna have to worry
about your flavor
261
00:11:22,992 --> 00:11:25,827
coming through there,
with no thumper.
262
00:11:25,829 --> 00:11:28,096
I haven't run a whole lot
without a thumper.
263
00:11:28,364 --> 00:11:30,498
Just a couple times.
264
00:11:30,500 --> 00:11:32,934
Now that I remember,
it does have more flavor
when it's like that, you know.
265
00:11:32,936 --> 00:11:34,368
Yeah.
266
00:11:34,370 --> 00:11:36,003
[tim johnson] when I was
walking around,
267
00:11:36,005 --> 00:11:38,706
checking my other competitor's
flavors out,
I was, like, [sighs]
268
00:11:38,708 --> 00:11:40,908
I taste more corn
in theirs than mine.
269
00:11:40,910 --> 00:11:44,779
When I did a run at home,
with the wheat,
it didn't come out as much.
270
00:11:44,781 --> 00:11:46,948
And I used a thumper,
so I think, maybe,
271
00:11:46,950 --> 00:11:48,883
that could have been
a little bit of it.
272
00:11:48,885 --> 00:11:50,985
The thumper'll strip it.
273
00:11:50,987 --> 00:11:53,054
But, I'm tasting that wheat
and I'm, like...
274
00:11:53,356 --> 00:11:54,188
Oh, no.
275
00:11:54,224 --> 00:11:57,158
I think his corn
got lost in the wheat.
276
00:12:00,663 --> 00:12:01,896
You can taste this.
277
00:12:02,165 --> 00:12:03,397
It's like taking a bite
of corn off the cob,
right there.
278
00:12:04,601 --> 00:12:05,633
It's pretty good.
279
00:12:05,668 --> 00:12:07,168
When I was walking around,
checking my other, uh,
280
00:12:07,170 --> 00:12:09,570
competitor's flavors out,
I was, like, [sighs]
281
00:12:09,572 --> 00:12:12,106
I taste more corn
in theirs than mine.
282
00:12:12,108 --> 00:12:15,409
Sat around all week
worried about this,
wondering, "is it gonna work?"
283
00:12:16,012 --> 00:12:17,211
[digger] you never know.
284
00:12:17,247 --> 00:12:20,114
A lot of pressure will
make you make mistakes,
sometimes.
285
00:12:20,116 --> 00:12:21,549
[tim johnson] I just wanna
keep this going.
286
00:12:21,551 --> 00:12:24,385
Take a deep breath
and just bear with it.
287
00:12:26,556 --> 00:12:29,624
[smacks lips] oh, yeah.
Think I got more corn
coming through now.
288
00:12:29,626 --> 00:12:32,660
-Slow and steady
wins the race.
-[jon] that's right.
289
00:12:32,662 --> 00:12:34,629
[aaron] you're awful
quiet over there, jonathan.
290
00:12:34,631 --> 00:12:37,498
[smith] gotta watch it,
silent majority.
291
00:12:37,500 --> 00:12:40,601
Just out of curiosity,
did uncle jimbo
give you any tips?
292
00:12:40,603 --> 00:12:43,805
Yeah, we may have practiced
a few times or 100.
293
00:12:43,807 --> 00:12:45,706
-May have practiced
a few times or 100?
-Yeah.
294
00:12:45,708 --> 00:12:47,475
We'll see how it works.
295
00:12:47,477 --> 00:12:50,745
Well, boys, you got
one hour left to build us
the perfect jar.
296
00:12:50,747 --> 00:12:52,880
It's still looking
pretty good.
297
00:12:52,882 --> 00:12:56,150
Aaron, you're tempering
over there. You feel like
you're where you need to be?
298
00:12:56,152 --> 00:13:01,189
I'm exactly where I need
to be. Just trying to get
one perfect jar.
299
00:13:01,191 --> 00:13:02,623
That's all we need.
300
00:13:02,625 --> 00:13:06,594
Jon? When you just picked
you one out of your run,
you didn't temper one.
301
00:13:06,596 --> 00:13:09,564
-[jon] no, sir.
-You think you're gonna
do any tempering or just--
302
00:13:09,566 --> 00:13:11,899
sometimes, you know,
you have something good,
303
00:13:11,901 --> 00:13:14,602
-you mess it up
trying to make it better.
-[jon] yes, sir.
304
00:13:14,604 --> 00:13:17,171
I don't think...
I don't believe
I'm gonna temper yet.
305
00:13:17,173 --> 00:13:19,073
There you go, mark.
It's gonna be difficult.
306
00:13:19,075 --> 00:13:21,776
-[ramsey] well, aaron's
shut his still off.
-[aaron] it's done.
307
00:13:21,778 --> 00:13:24,912
-It's done, done.
-I think I'm done too.
308
00:13:24,914 --> 00:13:26,781
You're gonna have
a hell of a time picking
out one, ain't you?
309
00:13:26,783 --> 00:13:28,482
[johnson] I already
am. [chuckles]
310
00:13:28,484 --> 00:13:30,818
I've got two of them
sitting right here
I'm looking at.
311
00:13:30,820 --> 00:13:33,855
[aaron] yeah, I did
the same thing. There is
a pro and con to both of them.
312
00:13:33,857 --> 00:13:35,756
Oh, it's a little cool.
313
00:13:35,758 --> 00:13:39,527
-All right, fellas. I think
I got the jar here.
-[digger] that the one?
314
00:13:39,529 --> 00:13:42,396
-That's the one
I'm turning in.
-[digger] all right.
315
00:13:46,135 --> 00:13:49,837
-All right, judges.
Here it is.
-[ramsey] all right, aaron.
316
00:13:49,839 --> 00:13:52,907
-[bangs on crate]
-[digger] hmm.
317
00:13:52,909 --> 00:13:56,277
-Not cocky, just confident.
-[ramsey] looks pretty good.
318
00:13:57,647 --> 00:13:59,013
-[ramsey] that it, brother?
-That's it.
319
00:13:59,015 --> 00:14:00,948
-All right.
-You asked for corn liquor.
320
00:14:00,950 --> 00:14:02,250
That's corn wheat.
321
00:14:02,252 --> 00:14:03,784
-[digger] yeah.
-[jon] nothing less.
322
00:14:03,786 --> 00:14:07,622
All right, tim.
We ain't gonna finish drinking
if we don't get started.
323
00:14:07,624 --> 00:14:10,024
All right. Looks like
this is tim's jar.
324
00:14:10,026 --> 00:14:12,827
I think it went pretty good
for all of us, really.
325
00:14:12,829 --> 00:14:16,664
-I think we all represented
our states well.
-Yup.
326
00:14:16,666 --> 00:14:18,966
[smith] ain't a lot of proof.
327
00:14:18,968 --> 00:14:21,435
-[digger and ramsey exclaim]
-at least 80, 85 range.
328
00:14:21,771 --> 00:14:23,571
Hmm.
329
00:14:23,573 --> 00:14:27,108
Yeah, ohio had a lot
of different grains
over there,
330
00:14:27,110 --> 00:14:29,944
and most of it was malted.
It had some smoky wheat
in there.
331
00:14:29,946 --> 00:14:32,813
-Oh, I can smell
that smoky wheat too.
-[digger] yeah.
332
00:14:32,815 --> 00:14:34,982
-There's a lot of that wheat
in there.
-[digger] yeah.
333
00:14:34,984 --> 00:14:36,183
But it ain't unpleasant.
334
00:14:36,185 --> 00:14:39,153
No, but it's not
what you're looking for
in corn liquor.
335
00:14:39,155 --> 00:14:41,489
I did the malted corn,
but I just wanted to have
a little twist to it.
336
00:14:41,491 --> 00:14:43,624
-I didn't wanna do what
everybody else was doing.
-[jon] that's right.
337
00:14:43,626 --> 00:14:46,894
I was surprised the, uh,
smoke come out of that
like it did.
338
00:14:46,896 --> 00:14:53,167
-His grain build got heavy.
It's a scotch, now.
-It... Yeah. I--
339
00:14:53,169 --> 00:14:55,236
-yeah, I hate to say it:
It's a wheated scotch.
-[digger] yup.
340
00:14:55,238 --> 00:14:57,738
Well, moving along.
341
00:14:57,740 --> 00:15:01,208
-[digger] we've got aaron.
-Another pretty jar.
342
00:15:02,512 --> 00:15:04,745
-[smith] oh, boy.
-[ramsey] that's 100% liquor.
343
00:15:04,747 --> 00:15:06,580
-[digger] mmm, that
jumped to that.
-[smith exclaims]
344
00:15:06,582 --> 00:15:10,117
yeah, he said he wasn't cocky,
but he is confident.
345
00:15:10,119 --> 00:15:12,153
-Not harsh at all.
-Ain't... It ain't harsh
at all, no.
346
00:15:12,155 --> 00:15:13,421
Total different news,
ain't it.
347
00:15:13,423 --> 00:15:14,722
-[digger] yeah.
-Totally different news.
348
00:15:14,724 --> 00:15:17,825
-I like that
sweet finish on it.
-Apparently, it's that rice.
349
00:15:17,827 --> 00:15:20,962
I threw in a little bit
of rice. I played around
with it a lot
350
00:15:20,964 --> 00:15:24,765
and got that happy medium
where it doesn't overpower
the corn.
351
00:15:24,767 --> 00:15:26,734
Just a little hint
of sweetness.
352
00:15:26,736 --> 00:15:29,937
That's a pretty good
drink right there,
and the proof is dead-on.
353
00:15:29,939 --> 00:15:32,640
Yup. We move on
to the next one.
354
00:15:32,642 --> 00:15:35,910
-All right. We got--
-[smith] alabama. Jon.
355
00:15:35,912 --> 00:15:40,514
Oh, that is so clear.
Yeah. I can see the moon...
356
00:15:40,516 --> 00:15:42,750
-...Shine.
-[laughs]
357
00:15:42,752 --> 00:15:44,919
-[ramsey] that's
a decent proof.
-[smith] pretty nice proof.
358
00:15:44,921 --> 00:15:47,021
-Yeah, I'd say mid-90s.
-And clear.
359
00:15:47,023 --> 00:15:49,023
[ramsey] it's simple
as it got.
360
00:15:49,025 --> 00:15:49,824
-Yeah.
-Coarse-ground corn.
361
00:15:49,826 --> 00:15:51,158
-I mean--
-sugar and water.
362
00:15:51,160 --> 00:15:53,828
He really expressed
this is alabama corn liquor.
363
00:15:53,830 --> 00:15:56,397
Pretty good smell. Sweet corn.
364
00:15:58,534 --> 00:16:01,502
-And a good taste.
-[digger] it is a pretty
good taste.
365
00:16:01,504 --> 00:16:03,804
-And the proof
is pretty spot-on.
-Yeah, it's--
366
00:16:03,806 --> 00:16:06,140
[digger] about where
you'd want, sipping whiskey.
367
00:16:06,142 --> 00:16:09,744
Smell like corn liquor.
Look like corn liquor.
Must be corn liquor.
368
00:16:09,746 --> 00:16:10,911
I know where I'm at.
369
00:16:10,913 --> 00:16:13,014
-That's where we're at.
Right there too.
-Yeah.
370
00:16:13,016 --> 00:16:14,749
-I wish you well, brother.
-Yes, sir.
371
00:16:14,751 --> 00:16:17,385
-I wish you well.
-[laughing]
372
00:16:20,757 --> 00:16:24,658
boys, get your jars
and go back to your stations.
373
00:16:24,660 --> 00:16:27,495
There's a little bit at stake,
but nobody's going home.
374
00:16:27,497 --> 00:16:29,964
It's just pigs pecking over
which of you all will go
375
00:16:29,966 --> 00:16:31,732
to the still house
and pick your parts.
376
00:16:31,734 --> 00:16:34,668
You all got good jars
from your region.
377
00:16:34,670 --> 00:16:38,172
You know, west virginia,
ohio, alabama.
378
00:16:38,174 --> 00:16:42,643
Taste in your product...
It reflects back
to your mash bill.
379
00:16:42,645 --> 00:16:47,081
Tim, you said you wanted
some of that smoky,
malty flavor in there.
380
00:16:47,083 --> 00:16:49,917
And, uh, you damn sure
got your wish.
381
00:16:49,919 --> 00:16:52,453
You successfully made
a hillbilly scotch.
382
00:16:53,689 --> 00:16:55,623
So there's your downside.
383
00:16:55,625 --> 00:17:00,461
The smokiness
of that red wheat
was the predominant flavor.
384
00:17:00,463 --> 00:17:04,265
But, that being said,
there's plenty of time
to clean that up.
385
00:17:05,435 --> 00:17:09,870
Now aaron, you used
that whole kernel corn
and a little bit of rice.
386
00:17:09,872 --> 00:17:13,641
And you were corn
front to back,
and a good sweet finish.
387
00:17:13,643 --> 00:17:15,676
-Excellent job.
-Thank you.
388
00:17:15,678 --> 00:17:19,680
[digger] jon laid a damn fine
jar of liquor right there.
389
00:17:19,682 --> 00:17:21,916
Corn liquor straight
through and through.
390
00:17:21,918 --> 00:17:23,851
-[smith] good job
to all three of you.
-Thank you.
391
00:17:23,853 --> 00:17:26,320
So, aaron, you're number 1.
392
00:17:27,323 --> 00:17:30,291
Jon, number 2.
Tim, you're number 3.
393
00:17:31,127 --> 00:17:32,259
Tickle!
394
00:17:33,663 --> 00:17:34,995
How's it going?
395
00:17:34,997 --> 00:17:36,864
-They was doing all right.
-Yeah?
396
00:17:36,866 --> 00:17:38,899
-They got over, though.
-Yeah? That right?
397
00:17:38,901 --> 00:17:40,601
They need some
more still parts.
398
00:17:40,603 --> 00:17:44,672
-They need to go ahead
and get a little bit advanced.
-All right. Sounds good to me.
399
00:17:44,674 --> 00:17:47,241
-You all come on.
-[ramsey] see you later, guys.
400
00:17:47,243 --> 00:17:49,710
-[johnson] thank you.
-[ramsey] good luck.
401
00:17:49,712 --> 00:17:52,646
-So, you know why ducks
have feathers, right?
-Why is that?
402
00:17:52,648 --> 00:17:53,814
Just to cover
their butt quack.
403
00:17:53,816 --> 00:17:55,983
-[johnson and aaron laugh]
-[jon scoffs]
404
00:17:55,985 --> 00:18:00,087
all right, fellas.
You all are here
to pick your still parts.
405
00:18:00,089 --> 00:18:04,358
Aaron, you've got
five minutes. Starting now.
406
00:18:04,360 --> 00:18:07,294
Feel free to set some
of your big stuff out,
if you want to.
407
00:18:08,764 --> 00:18:13,834
Ah, well, you know what?
Wasting zero time there.
Oh, yeah.
408
00:18:13,836 --> 00:18:17,104
[aaron] uh, just gonna
keep it simple. A pot
and a thumper.
409
00:18:17,106 --> 00:18:20,708
You know, and a worm.
Don't need anything elaborate.
410
00:18:20,710 --> 00:18:23,844
Keep in mind, you gotta
have everything.
411
00:18:23,846 --> 00:18:25,513
I don't see
no kitchen sink in here.
412
00:18:25,515 --> 00:18:26,747
You don't see no kitchen sink?
413
00:18:26,749 --> 00:18:28,949
-Hell, no.
-Well, how the hell
you gonna make liquor?
414
00:18:28,951 --> 00:18:31,519
-[both laugh]
-I can't make it
without my kitchen sink.
415
00:18:31,521 --> 00:18:32,853
-[laughing]
-[laughs] all right.
416
00:18:32,855 --> 00:18:33,954
Have you got
everything you need, aaron?
417
00:18:33,956 --> 00:18:36,490
-I've got everything I need.
-All right.
418
00:18:36,492 --> 00:18:39,760
Now, jon. You got
five minutes, starting now.
419
00:18:39,762 --> 00:18:42,630
Don't forget your box.
You might need it
for small parts.
420
00:18:42,632 --> 00:18:45,132
-Yeah.
-Yeah. 'cause they all
won't fit in your pocket.
421
00:18:45,134 --> 00:18:46,133
-That's for darn sure.
-[smith laughs]
422
00:18:46,135 --> 00:18:47,401
[jon] the still pick,
I'm not too nervous,
423
00:18:47,403 --> 00:18:50,905
'cause I have, probably,
four or five different
setups at home
424
00:18:50,907 --> 00:18:54,508
that I can mix and match.
So I'm pretty confident
at what I do.
425
00:18:54,510 --> 00:18:56,777
All right, well,
he's well on his way.
426
00:18:56,779 --> 00:18:58,512
You've got almost enough stuff
here to make liquor.
427
00:18:58,514 --> 00:19:02,917
You just gotta be able
to put all this together.
Good job. Checking fittings.
428
00:19:02,919 --> 00:19:05,920
-All right. That'll work.
-[jon] maybe.
429
00:19:05,922 --> 00:19:08,956
Um, okay.
You've got three minutes
to figure it out.
430
00:19:08,958 --> 00:19:10,558
-All right.
-All right?
431
00:19:10,593 --> 00:19:13,827
I promise you, there is
a part in there that fits.
You just gotta find it.
432
00:19:13,829 --> 00:19:16,897
-All right. Right, do you
think you got what you need?
-I think so.
433
00:19:16,899 --> 00:19:18,666
-You think so?
-Think so.
434
00:19:18,668 --> 00:19:22,503
All right. Well, that brings
us down to tim.
435
00:19:22,505 --> 00:19:26,106
-You got five minutes.
Starting now, tim.
-All righty.
436
00:19:26,108 --> 00:19:28,976
The judges said that I had
a real good hillbilly scotch.
437
00:19:28,978 --> 00:19:32,012
But hopefully I can strip
that wheat flavor
out of there.
438
00:19:32,014 --> 00:19:34,682
So I'm hoping
there's something in there
439
00:19:34,684 --> 00:19:36,483
I could find
that's gonna work for me.
440
00:19:36,485 --> 00:19:38,219
-Oh, lord.
-[tickle] all right.
441
00:19:38,221 --> 00:19:40,921
Okay, tim. Are you
finding anything
other than a pot?
442
00:19:40,923 --> 00:19:46,260
-Uh, not yet.
-Not yet. Okay, well,
that is not good.
443
00:19:46,262 --> 00:19:48,462
-[clanging]
-well, I was hoping
to get a thumper,
444
00:19:48,464 --> 00:19:50,664
but it's probably
not looking that way.
445
00:19:50,666 --> 00:19:52,700
So I'm gonna have to figure
something else out.
446
00:19:52,702 --> 00:19:55,803
If those parts are still
in there when the time's up,
they're mine.
447
00:19:55,805 --> 00:19:57,838
-Open her up.
-All right.
You got 15 seconds.
448
00:19:57,840 --> 00:20:00,975
15 seconds. All right,
you know what?
449
00:20:00,977 --> 00:20:03,477
-[johnson laughing]
-he did not disappoint.
450
00:20:03,479 --> 00:20:05,646
-I don't disappoint. [laughs]
-tim did not disappoint.
451
00:20:05,648 --> 00:20:09,750
-[johnson] you all
need anything?
-[all laughing]
452
00:20:09,752 --> 00:20:13,053
-[johnson] I'll make something
out of it.
-[tickle] yeah.
453
00:20:15,658 --> 00:20:19,693
Welcome back, man.
Gonna see them
still building skills.
454
00:20:19,695 --> 00:20:22,029
Looks like you're gonna
have to have a bucket
full of skills.
455
00:20:22,031 --> 00:20:24,632
-[laughing]
-damn it, man. [laughing]
456
00:20:24,634 --> 00:20:28,002
[laughing]
457
00:20:28,004 --> 00:20:30,771
think I got a little bit
of everything in the box.
458
00:20:30,773 --> 00:20:34,975
You got one hour
starting now.
Good luck, fellas.
459
00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:39,413
[jon] hope I got one
that'll fit that.
460
00:20:40,750 --> 00:20:43,917
Aaron, I see
you're playing it
pretty simple.
461
00:20:43,919 --> 00:20:46,720
You got any
other tricks up your sleeve
you're gonna play?
462
00:20:46,722 --> 00:20:48,656
-Keep it simple, stupid.
-I'm with you.
463
00:20:48,658 --> 00:20:50,691
-[laughs]
-he knows you too.
464
00:20:50,693 --> 00:20:54,128
-[laughing]
-hell, I'm world-renowned
for being stupid.
465
00:20:56,232 --> 00:20:57,498
Well, I had a crazy still
I had to build
466
00:20:57,500 --> 00:21:00,301
and I wasn't sure
if it was gonna work at first.
467
00:21:00,303 --> 00:21:02,936
I just came up
one gasket short.
468
00:21:02,938 --> 00:21:04,738
You ain't got
a 2-inch gasket, do you?
469
00:21:04,740 --> 00:21:06,840
[aaron] 2-inch gasket? No.
470
00:21:06,842 --> 00:21:09,943
Now you know,
being a mechanic,
471
00:21:09,945 --> 00:21:12,846
if you're gonna join
something together,
you gotta have a gasket.
472
00:21:12,848 --> 00:21:15,683
-I know. [laughs]
-[laughing]
473
00:21:15,685 --> 00:21:17,418
that don't end up good
on the racetrack.
474
00:21:21,524 --> 00:21:24,925
Well, I had a crazy still
I had to build
and I wasn't sure
475
00:21:24,927 --> 00:21:28,862
if it was gonna work
at first. I just came up
one gasket short.
476
00:21:28,864 --> 00:21:30,764
You ain't got
a 2-inch gasket, do you?
477
00:21:30,766 --> 00:21:33,400
-[aaron] 2-inch gasket?
-[jon] hey, I got one.
478
00:21:33,903 --> 00:21:36,036
-Oh, sweet. Thank you.
-[jon] yup.
479
00:21:36,038 --> 00:21:37,471
-You got something
figured out?
-Yup.
480
00:21:37,473 --> 00:21:39,506
[aaron] oh, [laughs] wow.
481
00:21:39,508 --> 00:21:43,844
Kind of look like something
you'd put on the back
of a rocket. [laughs]
482
00:21:43,846 --> 00:21:46,780
we've never saw this before.
But it will work.
483
00:21:46,782 --> 00:21:49,917
-How about it, jonathan?
-I'm about good.
484
00:21:49,919 --> 00:21:53,320
-Steel's not level.
-[digger] yeah, you're sitting
a little cocked.
485
00:21:53,322 --> 00:21:55,522
[jon] oh. Good deal.
486
00:21:55,524 --> 00:21:57,758
-Anybody not done?
-I think we got it.
487
00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:00,561
Record time. Nine minutes.
488
00:22:00,563 --> 00:22:04,465
But, sad fact is,
you don't get to tack
that on to your runtime, so...
489
00:22:04,467 --> 00:22:07,568
-[laughing]
-you should have took
the whole hour.
490
00:22:07,570 --> 00:22:10,571
All right, this round is all
about your regional recipe.
491
00:22:10,573 --> 00:22:13,907
What sells best
in your little slice
of appalachian.
492
00:22:13,909 --> 00:22:18,011
You've had some time
to modify your stills,
make some changes.
493
00:22:18,013 --> 00:22:22,483
Bring us your best seller.
Clear jar on this table
in four hours.
494
00:22:22,485 --> 00:22:25,919
Look around,
one of you won't be here
after this round.
495
00:22:25,921 --> 00:22:28,956
-Good luck.
-Your time starts now.
Good luck, boys.
496
00:22:28,958 --> 00:22:33,060
Ooh. [whistles]
thank goodness.
497
00:22:33,062 --> 00:22:35,396
-[smith] you got some
ninja moves over there.
-Yeah.
498
00:22:39,702 --> 00:22:40,901
[digger] aaron?
499
00:22:40,936 --> 00:22:43,070
-Yes, sir.
-Tell us what you're doing
over there, buddy.
500
00:22:43,072 --> 00:22:47,474
I am getting some
fresh strawberries
ready to hand-juice
501
00:22:47,476 --> 00:22:49,676
in great-grandma's
hand-juicer.
502
00:22:49,678 --> 00:22:50,778
Is that going
into your thumper...
503
00:22:50,780 --> 00:22:52,646
-I'm sure?
-It's going
in my thumper. Yup.
504
00:22:52,648 --> 00:22:54,882
-[ramsey] okay.
-That looks like pretty much
all you're working with.
505
00:22:54,884 --> 00:22:56,550
-Is that right?
-[aaron] nope. [sighs]
506
00:22:56,552 --> 00:22:58,952
oh, okay. He got
a dinosaur egg.
507
00:22:58,954 --> 00:23:01,855
[aaron] got a dinosaur egg.
I'm doing
a strawberry-watermelon.
508
00:23:01,857 --> 00:23:03,524
[jon] hey, don't bribe
the judges with watermelon
now, aaron.
509
00:23:03,526 --> 00:23:05,159
[aaron laughs]
510
00:23:05,828 --> 00:23:09,596
tim, I noticed
you gave your cap
a suppository there.
511
00:23:09,598 --> 00:23:12,466
[laughs] yeah. There's some,
uh, peaches I wound up
in a copper mesh.
512
00:23:12,468 --> 00:23:14,802
-You stuff them up in there.
-[digger] mmm-hmm.
513
00:23:14,804 --> 00:23:17,037
Hopefully, it'll help carry
the flavor through there
a little bit better.
514
00:23:17,039 --> 00:23:19,840
-I put a gallon of peach cider
in there from back home.
-[digger] mmm-hmm.
515
00:23:19,842 --> 00:23:21,842
And, uh,
put a vanilla bean in there.
516
00:23:21,844 --> 00:23:24,445
-I know how you are
about peaches.
-Mmm. Yeah.
517
00:23:24,447 --> 00:23:26,580
-Could be my favorite.
-I like them too. I love them.
518
00:23:26,582 --> 00:23:29,983
I also thought I saw you pour
a quart of fermented corn?
519
00:23:29,985 --> 00:23:31,752
-Yeah. It wasn't fermented...
-Wasn't fermented?
520
00:23:31,754 --> 00:23:33,520
-But it was, uh, cream-style.
-Oh, all right.
521
00:23:33,522 --> 00:23:36,023
So I'm trying to get some
of that, uh, wheat taste
out of there.
522
00:23:36,025 --> 00:23:38,425
-Put a little corn
back into it. [laughs]
-[laughs] okay.
523
00:23:38,828 --> 00:23:40,093
-[digger] jon?
-Yes, sir.
524
00:23:40,095 --> 00:23:42,463
What are you
bringing to the table
over there, buddy?
525
00:23:42,465 --> 00:23:44,965
Right now,
I'm making cranberry.
526
00:23:44,967 --> 00:23:46,967
I make it to the next round,
I'm gonna make it
a butter-cran.
527
00:23:46,969 --> 00:23:48,302
-Okay.
-Uh-huh.
528
00:23:48,304 --> 00:23:52,072
I got a... About 2 gallons
of cranberry juice in here.
529
00:23:52,074 --> 00:23:56,477
And then I've got a half
a gallon of cranberry juice
and some cranberries in here.
530
00:23:56,479 --> 00:23:58,178
-All right, sure.
-Sounds like plan to me.
531
00:23:58,180 --> 00:24:01,482
-[smith] all three of them
sounds really tasty.
-They do.
532
00:24:02,751 --> 00:24:04,518
[ramsey] everybody's lit.
533
00:24:05,888 --> 00:24:08,388
-[aaron] hurry up
and wait, now then.
-[johnson] yup.
534
00:24:08,390 --> 00:24:10,691
This should help.
Liquor coming out real soon.
535
00:24:10,693 --> 00:24:15,195
-Smells good.
-[johnson] yeah, it's starting
to come up my parrot now.
536
00:24:15,197 --> 00:24:19,132
-[aaron] here we go.
-Yeah, you smell
the heads in that.
537
00:24:19,802 --> 00:24:23,103
-[exclaims] yeah.
-[laughing]
538
00:24:23,105 --> 00:24:25,906
-[aaron] jet fuel.
-It's coming out of my rocket
engine, so, you know---
539
00:24:25,908 --> 00:24:27,741
[aaron] yeah. [laughs]
540
00:24:27,743 --> 00:24:30,844
-[ramsey] you running yet
over there?
-[jon] oh, yeah.
541
00:24:30,846 --> 00:24:33,747
-What you think about it
so far, you happy with it?
-Yeah.
542
00:24:33,749 --> 00:24:35,482
Yeah, I mean,
she's coming out pretty good.
543
00:24:35,484 --> 00:24:37,417
I think she's a little
high-proof right now, but...
544
00:24:37,419 --> 00:24:40,053
Hey, you can always do
something about high-proof.
545
00:24:40,055 --> 00:24:42,556
-You can't do nothing
about low-proof.
-[jon] that's right.
546
00:24:42,558 --> 00:24:44,424
[aaron] should have
some liquor before long.
547
00:24:45,461 --> 00:24:48,896
There she goes. We're making
some liquor, guys.
548
00:24:48,898 --> 00:24:52,566
45 minutes, folks.
Times are drawing near.
549
00:24:52,568 --> 00:24:54,635
I don't know if I'm tasting
the vanilla up my fingers
550
00:24:54,637 --> 00:24:56,904
or if I'm tasting the vanilla
from the liquor. [laughs]
551
00:24:56,906 --> 00:24:59,072
I don't taste
no more wheat in that,
that's for sure.
552
00:24:59,074 --> 00:25:02,309
[aaron] no, I think
you cleaned that
smokiness out of there.
553
00:25:02,311 --> 00:25:04,011
How you like it
over there, aaron?
554
00:25:04,046 --> 00:25:04,945
[aaron] good.
555
00:25:04,947 --> 00:25:06,713
-[jon] coming out high?
-Yup.
556
00:25:06,715 --> 00:25:10,651
You know, aaron...
He's running strawberry
watermelon. You know.
557
00:25:10,653 --> 00:25:14,454
Strawberries had a tendency
to put fire in your liquor.
558
00:25:14,456 --> 00:25:17,024
I'd like to get one
I don't have to add
much water to.
559
00:25:17,026 --> 00:25:19,459
-[jon] yeah, good luck.
-[johnson] you taste
that melon though.
560
00:25:20,029 --> 00:25:22,095
-Yeah.
-I don't taste strawberry.
561
00:25:22,097 --> 00:25:23,630
I can't... I can't hardly
taste the strawberry,
562
00:25:23,632 --> 00:25:25,899
strawberries fall apart
so damn quick, you know.
563
00:25:25,901 --> 00:25:27,401
[jon] here's to
a real high-proof,
just like mine...
564
00:25:27,403 --> 00:25:28,936
-[aaron] yeah.
-...Is right now.
565
00:25:28,938 --> 00:25:30,904
I done went through
so many jars, I don't know
what to do.
566
00:25:30,906 --> 00:25:32,906
They all wanna win.
567
00:25:32,908 --> 00:25:37,411
West virginia, ohio, alabama.
They all wanna win bad.
568
00:25:38,047 --> 00:25:40,013
[chuckling] money.
569
00:25:40,015 --> 00:25:41,815
-Money?
-Money.
570
00:25:41,817 --> 00:25:43,884
It's a competition.
Everybody wants to win.
571
00:25:43,886 --> 00:25:45,852
[ramsey] hands
are bringing it in.
572
00:25:45,854 --> 00:25:48,622
[aaron] but I am confident.
I know I make good liquor.
573
00:25:48,624 --> 00:25:49,957
-Thank you.
-[digger] get on
out, brother.
574
00:25:49,959 --> 00:25:51,425
-[ramsey] good luck, aaron.
-[aaron] thank you.
575
00:25:51,427 --> 00:25:53,460
I think I've got
what it takes to win.
576
00:25:55,097 --> 00:25:57,798
I had a good jar of liquor.
Just got rid of the spoke-y
taste I had in it.
577
00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:02,436
-Well, fellas. About as good
as it's gonna get. [chuckling]
-[ramsey] all right.
578
00:26:03,706 --> 00:26:07,207
I was nervous.
I don't usually run cranberry
in the liquor.
579
00:26:07,209 --> 00:26:08,909
I usually flavor
with straight liquor.
580
00:26:08,911 --> 00:26:11,311
-Believe this is all I got.
-[ramsey] is that it, jon?
581
00:26:11,313 --> 00:26:12,846
-That's my best.
-[digger] that's all we need.
582
00:26:12,848 --> 00:26:15,148
-[ramsey] all right, buddy.
-[jon] but I think I did
a really good job,
583
00:26:15,150 --> 00:26:16,917
and I'm pretty happy with
where I'm at.
584
00:26:16,919 --> 00:26:18,051
-[digger] good luck.
-Thank you, sir.
585
00:26:18,053 --> 00:26:18,885
[jon] thank you.
586
00:26:18,887 --> 00:26:20,053
[smith] pretty jar.
587
00:26:20,055 --> 00:26:21,054
-There's one of them.
-Good-looking
jars of liquor.
588
00:26:21,056 --> 00:26:22,556
[johnson] well,
what do you all think?
589
00:26:22,558 --> 00:26:24,958
-Got a clear jar
on the table, so.
-[laughing]
590
00:26:24,960 --> 00:26:28,161
-[laughs] it's always
a plus, right?
-It's always a plus.
591
00:26:28,964 --> 00:26:30,864
I feel like I'm going
to the wedding.
592
00:26:30,866 --> 00:26:32,599
What's that a-following you?
593
00:26:32,601 --> 00:26:34,835
-Where'd you find him now?
-I got mark rogers
standing outside.
594
00:26:34,837 --> 00:26:36,670
I looking for tickle,
I couldn't find him.
595
00:26:36,672 --> 00:26:37,871
Marky, I'm glad
you're here, buddy.
596
00:26:37,873 --> 00:26:40,641
Well, I am too.
I believe I'll sit down
a minute.
597
00:26:40,643 --> 00:26:44,044
We need
a little help tasting here.
Reckon you got it in you?
598
00:26:44,046 --> 00:26:46,780
Well, I know a lot
about corn liquor
and appalachian mountains.
599
00:26:46,782 --> 00:26:50,751
How it's supposed
to be made, how it's supposed
to be tasty, you know.
600
00:26:50,753 --> 00:26:53,687
[narrator] born and raised
in the appalachian mountains,
601
00:26:53,689 --> 00:26:56,590
mark rogers
is an infamous moonshiner.
602
00:26:56,592 --> 00:26:58,725
Known for
his backwoods corn liquor,
603
00:26:58,727 --> 00:27:01,795
he's mastered
the age-old techniques
604
00:27:01,797 --> 00:27:06,199
to produce high-quality shine
with a sweet corn flavor.
605
00:27:06,201 --> 00:27:08,835
-Whiskey-pusher,
get busy here.
-Okay.
606
00:27:08,837 --> 00:27:11,304
Jon here, from alabama.
607
00:27:11,306 --> 00:27:13,774
[smith exclaims] look at that,
how clear that is. Nice b.
608
00:27:13,809 --> 00:27:16,109
High.
609
00:27:16,111 --> 00:27:19,246
-[ramsey] you don't mind it
a little high, do you, mark?
-I love high liquor.
610
00:27:19,248 --> 00:27:21,114
[both laughing]
611
00:27:21,149 --> 00:27:22,549
oh, that smells good!
612
00:27:22,918 --> 00:27:25,619
Cranberries on the nose,
ain't it? Boy, it smoothed it
out right nice.
613
00:27:25,621 --> 00:27:26,186
But it is giving me
614
00:27:26,188 --> 00:27:27,154
-a dryness taste
-yeah.
615
00:27:27,156 --> 00:27:28,989
At the end like a good wine.
616
00:27:28,991 --> 00:27:29,856
-Yeah, good.
-[mark] it's good.
617
00:27:29,858 --> 00:27:31,158
That's that cranberry
comin' through.
618
00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:33,994
Nothin' wrong
with any drink of that liquor.
It's good liquor.
619
00:27:33,996 --> 00:27:35,996
-[digger] yep.
-I agree on that.
620
00:27:35,998 --> 00:27:38,765
-Well, let's try
ohio here, tim.
-[tim] fine.
621
00:27:38,767 --> 00:27:40,734
[digger] that's a nice,
clear jar.
622
00:27:40,736 --> 00:27:42,602
What's that, 105 or 110?
623
00:27:42,604 --> 00:27:44,504
[mark] that's a high proof
right there now.
624
00:27:44,506 --> 00:27:46,273
There's a little
teeny-tiny bit
of that wheat left,
625
00:27:46,275 --> 00:27:47,040
but now, he's...
626
00:27:47,042 --> 00:27:48,809
He's polished it off
pretty good.
627
00:27:48,811 --> 00:27:50,177
-He's polished it off
really well.
-Yeah.
628
00:27:50,179 --> 00:27:51,545
There's vanilla.
It's a good drink.
629
00:27:51,547 --> 00:27:52,779
It's a good drink.
630
00:27:52,781 --> 00:27:55,115
I was worried
about that smoky,
wheat flavor.
631
00:27:55,117 --> 00:27:56,550
That's why I added
a little more corn to it.
632
00:27:56,552 --> 00:27:58,085
Mm-hmm.
633
00:27:58,087 --> 00:28:01,088
Mean, it ain't bad liquor,
but it's a little fiery
on the backend,
634
00:28:01,090 --> 00:28:02,923
which is typical
of wheat liquor.
635
00:28:02,925 --> 00:28:06,093
I taste wheat.
That's all I taste, wheat.
636
00:28:06,095 --> 00:28:09,496
Hey, you know, tim did
an outstanding job
of cleaning it up.
637
00:28:09,498 --> 00:28:12,265
And he only added
the peach and vanilla to it.
638
00:28:12,267 --> 00:28:14,367
Hey, ya can't beat that.
639
00:28:14,369 --> 00:28:15,736
Not in my world.
640
00:28:15,738 --> 00:28:17,804
Let's go to west virginia.
641
00:28:17,806 --> 00:28:20,941
[tim] where's y'all.
I can't see nothin' in it.
Looks like jar of water.
642
00:28:20,943 --> 00:28:22,542
[mark] high proof right there.
643
00:28:22,544 --> 00:28:24,144
[tim] that's a nice bead.
644
00:28:24,146 --> 00:28:27,080
Mark rogers taught me
that strawberries will make
hot liquor.
645
00:28:27,082 --> 00:28:28,548
It will, buddy.
646
00:28:28,550 --> 00:28:30,183
I was beginning to worry.
647
00:28:30,185 --> 00:28:34,187
It was comin' off so hot
that I did not wanna use
water to cut it.
648
00:28:34,189 --> 00:28:36,923
-I think it could've been
about 10 proof.
-[tim] a little bit--
649
00:28:36,925 --> 00:28:38,024
-[digger] lower.
-Lower.
650
00:28:38,026 --> 00:28:39,926
[ramsey] but it's
a good drink.
651
00:28:39,928 --> 00:28:41,762
Can ya taste any corn
in that liquor?
652
00:28:41,764 --> 00:28:42,496
[tim] little bit.
653
00:28:42,498 --> 00:28:44,064
Take a big drink
and swallow it.
654
00:28:44,066 --> 00:28:46,500
-And belch real big.
-[ramsey chuckles]
655
00:28:46,502 --> 00:28:49,870
and I guarantee ya
you'll taste the corn.
656
00:28:49,872 --> 00:28:52,873
You know what, guys,
win, lose, or draw, our states
are going to be proud of us.
657
00:28:52,875 --> 00:28:55,308
You know, we represent
who we are,
658
00:28:55,310 --> 00:28:56,710
but we also represent
where we're from.
659
00:28:56,712 --> 00:28:57,911
-That's more like it.
-For sure.
660
00:28:57,913 --> 00:29:00,547
I think I'm gonna hide
my still when I get home.
661
00:29:00,549 --> 00:29:02,783
-[aaron laughs] yeah.
-[jon] yeah,
that makes two of us.
662
00:29:02,785 --> 00:29:04,951
We know
all three of these guys
are good distillers.
663
00:29:04,953 --> 00:29:07,354
-[tim] they're at top
of their region!
-Right.
664
00:29:07,356 --> 00:29:11,291
But we are
in an outlaw, corn, liquor
competition here.
665
00:29:11,293 --> 00:29:13,760
Yeah, if you do
somethin' here,
you better get it right.
666
00:29:13,762 --> 00:29:15,162
Fair enough.
667
00:29:15,164 --> 00:29:17,030
Well, boys,
if we're locked in,
I'm gonna go get 'em.
668
00:29:17,032 --> 00:29:18,298
[tim] yeah, go fetch them.
669
00:29:22,604 --> 00:29:24,004
[digger] welcome back, boys.
670
00:29:24,006 --> 00:29:26,206
We tasted right smart
of your liquor.
671
00:29:26,208 --> 00:29:30,477
But, you know,
sadly, one of you
just gotta go.
672
00:29:33,015 --> 00:29:34,414
Welcome back, boys.
673
00:29:34,817 --> 00:29:39,986
We've brought in our
appalachian-corn-liquor guru
right here mark rogers.
674
00:29:39,988 --> 00:29:41,154
How you doin', bud?
675
00:29:41,156 --> 00:29:42,589
How ya doin'?
676
00:29:42,591 --> 00:29:45,659
We're gonna tell ya
our pros and cons
from each one of ya.
677
00:29:45,661 --> 00:29:48,495
Startin' right down here
with my buddy mark rogers.
678
00:29:48,497 --> 00:29:51,798
I'll tell ya what.
Right there's
some good liquor.
679
00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:54,467
Yep, 'bout as good of liquor
as I've ever drunk
right there.
680
00:29:54,469 --> 00:29:55,635
Thank you, sir.
681
00:29:55,637 --> 00:29:58,605
You lost some
of that sweetness
from you first run.
682
00:29:58,607 --> 00:30:01,308
Ya had that corn and rice
in it in the beginnin'.
683
00:30:01,310 --> 00:30:03,577
But now, I think you went up
on your proof again.
684
00:30:03,579 --> 00:30:07,480
I think you went up 115,
possibly, maybe higher.
685
00:30:07,482 --> 00:30:09,883
It's mark roger's take
'cause he was reminding
us again.
686
00:30:09,885 --> 00:30:12,686
When you use strawberries,
it gives your liquor
a fiery nature.
687
00:30:12,688 --> 00:30:16,690
And if... I think maybe
if you proofed it down,
688
00:30:16,692 --> 00:30:18,758
you might've got more
of that flavor to pop out.
689
00:30:18,760 --> 00:30:20,694
But all in all damn fine job.
690
00:30:20,696 --> 00:30:24,831
Tim, I gotta pat ya
on the back, boss.
691
00:30:24,833 --> 00:30:28,602
I would of never have believed
that you would've taken
that smoke
692
00:30:28,604 --> 00:30:30,303
out of that red wheat.
693
00:30:30,305 --> 00:30:34,407
I mean, in your first run,
it was the dominant flavor.
694
00:30:34,409 --> 00:30:35,542
Kudos for what ya did.
695
00:30:35,544 --> 00:30:37,944
Ya did somethin'
with the flavor
696
00:30:37,946 --> 00:30:41,948
that I know you put peaches
or somethin' in it that
I'm tastin' a little vanilla.
697
00:30:41,950 --> 00:30:42,716
Real good jar.
698
00:30:42,718 --> 00:30:45,886
But, uh, I'm still tastin'
wheat.
699
00:30:45,888 --> 00:30:50,423
I think in the beginnin'
you need a little bit
more corn in your mash peel.
700
00:30:52,060 --> 00:30:54,861
Jon, did a fine job
all the way around.
701
00:30:54,863 --> 00:30:56,296
You know, you proof's spot on.
702
00:30:56,298 --> 00:31:00,901
Um, I think ya might of went
a little bit overboard
on you cranberries.
703
00:31:00,903 --> 00:31:03,069
They were too prominent
in there.
704
00:31:03,071 --> 00:31:03,904
And they just finish better.
705
00:31:03,906 --> 00:31:05,872
But all in all,
your corn's still there.
706
00:31:05,874 --> 00:31:09,776
I tasted more corn in yours
than I tasted in all of them.
707
00:31:09,778 --> 00:31:11,645
Guys, I'll have to say
across the board
708
00:31:11,647 --> 00:31:15,048
some of the clearest,
cleanest jars we've saw.
709
00:31:15,050 --> 00:31:19,019
You know, I think
y'all will probably should get
calluses on your hands
710
00:31:19,021 --> 00:31:20,954
for pattin' yourselves
on the back.
711
00:31:20,956 --> 00:31:25,525
But, you know,
sadly, one of ya
just got go.
712
00:31:27,129 --> 00:31:30,730
[digger] tim, that jar bought
you a ticket home, buddy.
713
00:31:30,732 --> 00:31:33,033
It's not a bad drink.
Just ain't got no corn
in it,
714
00:31:33,035 --> 00:31:34,601
and your flavor didn't come
through.
715
00:31:34,603 --> 00:31:36,736
-[digger] I'm awful sorry.
-All right.
716
00:31:36,738 --> 00:31:39,105
Well, I didn't have
the winning jar,
717
00:31:39,107 --> 00:31:42,342
but I still...
I think I represented
ohio very well, and...
718
00:31:42,344 --> 00:31:44,010
-Good job, buddy.
-Good job.
719
00:31:44,012 --> 00:31:48,114
...I think my grandpa
and my great grandpa's lookin'
down on me and thinkin',
720
00:31:48,116 --> 00:31:50,417
"well, he makes
some good liquor."
721
00:31:50,419 --> 00:31:52,419
-[tim] good job. Good job.
-All right, thank you.
722
00:31:52,421 --> 00:31:55,755
I had a blast
while I was here.
Met a lot of great people.
723
00:31:55,757 --> 00:31:59,492
And if someone's in a market
with some good scotch,
come see me.
724
00:32:05,734 --> 00:32:07,734
We got ya ready
to do your flavor.
725
00:32:07,736 --> 00:32:12,005
This your regional recipe
from where you come from.
726
00:32:12,007 --> 00:32:15,709
During this run,
you can flavor it
as you see fit.
727
00:32:15,711 --> 00:32:17,077
[digger] you brought
your best sellers your region.
728
00:32:17,079 --> 00:32:19,846
It's up to us to see
it'll sell elsewhere.
729
00:32:19,848 --> 00:32:21,881
We have to separate 'em
in some manner.
730
00:32:21,883 --> 00:32:24,084
And usually
it's the marketability factor.
731
00:32:24,086 --> 00:32:25,819
Could you build
a cocktail with that?
732
00:32:25,821 --> 00:32:27,988
Could you do anything
other than just drink it
out of a jar?
733
00:32:27,990 --> 00:32:30,090
There's lot of criteria
we look at.
734
00:32:30,092 --> 00:32:33,460
Ya time starts now.
Good luck, men.
735
00:32:37,199 --> 00:32:38,999
Hattie boy,
I'm gonna tell ya what.
736
00:32:39,001 --> 00:32:41,801
I never thought
about butterscotch,
cranberry liquor.
737
00:32:41,803 --> 00:32:42,902
Sounds good.
738
00:32:42,904 --> 00:32:45,472
I've had watermelon before,
739
00:32:45,474 --> 00:32:47,707
but I don't know
that I've ever had
watermelon and strawberry.
740
00:32:47,709 --> 00:32:49,976
But a good thing
on aaron I see.
741
00:32:49,978 --> 00:32:52,946
If he adds that stuff there,
that's gonna make his proof
go down.
742
00:32:52,948 --> 00:32:54,681
Yes, sir!
743
00:32:54,683 --> 00:32:57,817
[aaron] this watermelon juice
and a little bit of sugar
744
00:32:57,819 --> 00:32:59,652
just to sweeten
it up just a touch.
745
00:32:59,654 --> 00:33:00,720
Take a little bite out of it.
746
00:33:00,722 --> 00:33:03,456
Judges said
my jar had good flavor,
747
00:33:03,458 --> 00:33:06,493
but just a little higher
than what they wanted
to see it.
748
00:33:06,495 --> 00:33:10,030
So my strategy is to lower
my proof a little bit.
749
00:33:10,032 --> 00:33:12,098
[ramsey] aaron's tastin'
the crap out of his.
750
00:33:12,100 --> 00:33:15,502
He'll be liquored up.
Forget to bring his jar
to the table.
751
00:33:15,504 --> 00:33:18,238
-Good way to be, boy.
-[aaron chuckles]
752
00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:19,606
so doggone good.
753
00:33:22,577 --> 00:33:26,346
Jon, what's you workin'
with here? Look like you
gotta lot goin' on.
754
00:33:26,348 --> 00:33:28,848
-I went
from a red cranberry juice.
-[tim] yep.
755
00:33:28,850 --> 00:33:31,718
And now,
I'm in a white cranberry juice
here cookin'
756
00:33:31,720 --> 00:33:33,853
with some butterscotch flavor.
757
00:33:33,855 --> 00:33:34,854
I wanna taste
more of the butterscotch
758
00:33:34,856 --> 00:33:37,590
in this flavorin'
than I do the cranberry.
759
00:33:37,592 --> 00:33:39,893
How'd you do that?
Out of candy?
Or how'd you do it?
760
00:33:39,895 --> 00:33:42,796
Yes, sir, it's just
butterscotch candy,
and I went and grounded it up.
761
00:33:42,798 --> 00:33:45,565
It's the easiest way
to melt it within an hour.
762
00:33:45,567 --> 00:33:49,069
The judges said
that my proof was really well
on my flavorin' run jar,
763
00:33:49,071 --> 00:33:51,638
so I need to go in there
with some good flavor
764
00:33:51,640 --> 00:33:53,473
and try to keep
the proof the same.
765
00:33:53,475 --> 00:33:55,275
If I could do that,
I believe I got a good chance.
766
00:33:55,277 --> 00:33:58,111
Do ya think ya
uncle jimbo's rootin'
for ya, jon?
767
00:33:58,113 --> 00:33:59,646
I believe he is.
768
00:33:59,648 --> 00:34:01,247
I'd say you're right.
769
00:34:05,053 --> 00:34:07,821
-[ramsey] looky here.
-[digger] he gonna make
ice cream.
770
00:34:07,823 --> 00:34:08,988
[ramsey] he's gonna make
it get cold quick.
771
00:34:08,990 --> 00:34:10,623
[digger] yep.
772
00:34:10,625 --> 00:34:12,926
I want it so cold
your lips stick to the jar.
773
00:34:12,928 --> 00:34:17,163
I'd rather have my liquor cold
as room temperature any time.
774
00:34:19,935 --> 00:34:22,702
-Butterscotch and cranberry.
-That's right.
775
00:34:22,704 --> 00:34:23,970
I ain't never heard of that.
776
00:34:23,972 --> 00:34:26,639
-That's, uh, somethin' way
down south I guess.
-Yes, sir.
777
00:34:26,641 --> 00:34:28,808
Yes, that's how we like
to call it.
778
00:34:28,810 --> 00:34:30,977
I ain't never fooled
with that, but, uh,
lookin' good.
779
00:34:30,979 --> 00:34:33,680
Thank you. Thank you, sir.
780
00:34:33,682 --> 00:34:37,750
Have you ever fooled
with strawberries and
the seeds and all that before?
781
00:34:37,752 --> 00:34:40,153
Well, I've never actually put
'em in the thump.
782
00:34:40,155 --> 00:34:41,554
That was
a little trial and error.
783
00:34:41,556 --> 00:34:44,991
[aaron] strawberry's
not real predominant in this
784
00:34:44,993 --> 00:34:47,961
-'cause I just used
the strawberries in the thump.
-Yeah.
785
00:34:47,963 --> 00:34:50,029
Both you boys
got a good lookin' drink.
786
00:34:50,031 --> 00:34:52,132
And I wish y'all luck.
787
00:34:52,134 --> 00:34:53,133
-Thank you, sir.
-Eye on the kids.
788
00:34:53,135 --> 00:34:54,634
Ya down to 20 minutes.
789
00:34:54,636 --> 00:34:58,505
This ain't gonna cool quick
if I don't get some kinda top
on this thing.
790
00:34:58,507 --> 00:35:01,741
But, jon, I noticed
you just got three jars
in your bucket there.
791
00:35:01,743 --> 00:35:03,776
Now, are you
gonna blend those?
792
00:35:03,778 --> 00:35:07,147
No, sir, no, I'm gonna put
different amounts of alcohol
793
00:35:07,149 --> 00:35:08,815
and see which one turns out.
794
00:35:08,817 --> 00:35:10,183
The alcohol sittin'
there ready,
795
00:35:10,185 --> 00:35:12,152
so all I know
I've got load her
and shake her
796
00:35:12,154 --> 00:35:13,653
and put her on the table.
797
00:35:13,655 --> 00:35:15,955
[tim] aaron's may be frozen.
798
00:35:15,957 --> 00:35:17,824
We might have to warm it up
to get to lay it off.
799
00:35:17,826 --> 00:35:18,658
[aaron chuckles]
800
00:35:18,660 --> 00:35:21,561
[digger] like tom cruise
in cocktail.
801
00:35:21,563 --> 00:35:23,963
Throw it up there and
catch it, and then pour
a drink out of it.
802
00:35:23,965 --> 00:35:26,766
-Woo. I don't want to take
that kind of risk.
-[aaron chuckling]
803
00:35:26,768 --> 00:35:29,035
1 minute, fellers.
804
00:35:29,871 --> 00:35:32,405
Ain't either one
of these fellers
rattle too easy.
805
00:35:33,642 --> 00:35:36,943
I had two jars
mixed up and ready to go.
806
00:35:36,945 --> 00:35:39,979
One's a little bit
lower proof,
a little bit sweeter.
807
00:35:39,981 --> 00:35:43,850
The judges said
I was a little bit too high
in the beginning.
808
00:35:43,852 --> 00:35:45,852
Uh, they said marketability.
809
00:35:45,854 --> 00:35:47,620
-All right, aaron.
-There it is.
810
00:35:47,622 --> 00:35:50,023
So I'm goin'
with the lower proof,
a little bit sweeter
811
00:35:50,025 --> 00:35:51,724
in hopes that it doesn't bite
me in the butt.
812
00:35:51,726 --> 00:35:53,159
-Thank ya, aaron, good luck.
-Good luck, aaron.
813
00:35:53,161 --> 00:35:54,894
-[aaron] thank you.
-[tim] good luck, boss.
814
00:35:54,896 --> 00:35:56,563
People like butterscotch
or ya don't.
815
00:35:56,565 --> 00:35:58,198
Ya know, it's just like
any other thing.
816
00:35:58,200 --> 00:36:00,567
But if you taste mine,
I think you'll acquire
a taste for it.
817
00:36:00,569 --> 00:36:02,068
I like it.
818
00:36:02,070 --> 00:36:05,004
The tartness from my cranberry
kinda counteracts
the sweetness
819
00:36:05,006 --> 00:36:06,172
from the butterscotch
in the jar.
820
00:36:06,174 --> 00:36:07,740
So it's the best
of both worlds.
821
00:36:07,742 --> 00:36:10,176
-Just in the nick of time.
-Thank you, sir.
822
00:36:10,178 --> 00:36:11,578
-[tim] good luck, brother.
-[jon] thank you, guys.
823
00:36:11,580 --> 00:36:14,113
I mean, this is a bonafide
grudge match.
824
00:36:14,849 --> 00:36:17,951
I wish we didn't have to cut
somebody loose,
825
00:36:17,953 --> 00:36:20,386
but there can't be
two master distillers.
826
00:36:22,824 --> 00:36:23,690
Ya gotta good drink?
827
00:36:23,692 --> 00:36:25,391
-Of course we do.
-We hope we have.
828
00:36:25,393 --> 00:36:27,193
I've got three jars
of good corn liquor over here.
829
00:36:27,195 --> 00:36:30,997
We got a little bit too deep
in that tastin'
on that last challenge.
830
00:36:30,999 --> 00:36:32,565
Yeah, felt pretty good.
831
00:36:32,567 --> 00:36:35,168
-Mm-hmm.
-[all laughs]
832
00:36:35,170 --> 00:36:37,971
I talk fake matters.
Just have fun and feel good.
833
00:36:37,973 --> 00:36:39,205
Exactly!
834
00:36:39,207 --> 00:36:40,573
That's what I think.
835
00:36:40,575 --> 00:36:42,141
That's why we brought...
We need you in here
to help us.
836
00:36:43,078 --> 00:36:45,712
We 'bout to burn
our taste buds
up a little bit.
837
00:36:45,714 --> 00:36:46,512
[all laughing]
838
00:36:47,716 --> 00:36:49,249
[tim] mark, I sure am glad
you came.
839
00:36:49,251 --> 00:36:52,051
I'm glad I'm here too.
I think. [laughing]
840
00:36:54,756 --> 00:36:55,822
all right, tim.
841
00:36:55,824 --> 00:36:57,890
-Mm-hmm.
-We gotta get to drinkin',
842
00:36:57,892 --> 00:36:59,058
or we ain't gonna figure
this one out.
843
00:36:59,060 --> 00:37:00,593
How do you think
it went, old buddy?
844
00:37:00,595 --> 00:37:02,228
Pretty good.
845
00:37:02,230 --> 00:37:04,063
Seems like we was both
pretty satisfied up there.
846
00:37:04,065 --> 00:37:07,500
[tim] all right,
we've got alabama, jon.
847
00:37:07,502 --> 00:37:10,003
We kinda look
in these mixed drinks
848
00:37:10,005 --> 00:37:12,905
as I count 'em
for 60 or 70 proof.
849
00:37:12,907 --> 00:37:14,774
Oh, man!
850
00:37:14,776 --> 00:37:16,142
-[whistles]
-[ramsey] that's good.
851
00:37:16,144 --> 00:37:18,011
I like it. I like it a lot.
852
00:37:18,013 --> 00:37:19,178
It tastes really good.
853
00:37:19,180 --> 00:37:21,848
If I bought one jar of this,
I'd buy me another.
854
00:37:21,850 --> 00:37:23,049
It is sweet.
855
00:37:23,051 --> 00:37:24,684
It is sweet,
and I'm not a sweet drinker.
856
00:37:24,686 --> 00:37:25,952
But the flavor I dig.
857
00:37:25,954 --> 00:37:27,287
You can taste
the butterscotch.
858
00:37:27,289 --> 00:37:28,921
-I'll tell ya that.
-[tim] mm-hmm.
859
00:37:28,923 --> 00:37:31,991
I mean, there's
a little tartness in there,
but it doesn't say cranberry.
860
00:37:31,993 --> 00:37:33,993
I'd say
it's between
60-70 proof.
861
00:37:33,995 --> 00:37:35,762
Yeah.
862
00:37:35,764 --> 00:37:38,231
Take ya about two more drinks.
You know exactly what it is.
863
00:37:38,233 --> 00:37:39,999
-[ramsey chuckles]
-all right.
864
00:37:40,001 --> 00:37:41,734
[mark laughing]
865
00:37:41,736 --> 00:37:44,003
I know one thing
I come here to do,
866
00:37:44,005 --> 00:37:47,640
and that's to represent
who I am and my family
and where I'm from.
867
00:37:47,642 --> 00:37:49,475
And I represent the tide.
868
00:37:49,477 --> 00:37:51,577
I've done everything
I can do to represent us well.
869
00:37:51,579 --> 00:37:53,646
All right, aaron.
870
00:37:53,648 --> 00:37:56,115
[tim] well, I think
we got a little bit
more proof in there.
871
00:37:56,885 --> 00:37:58,885
Definitely a watermelon
on the nose,
872
00:37:58,887 --> 00:38:00,687
but it's a candy watermelon.
873
00:38:00,689 --> 00:38:03,022
That is really sweet.
874
00:38:03,024 --> 00:38:04,891
And ya can't taste the liquor
in that one
875
00:38:04,893 --> 00:38:06,893
'cause it's got
too much syrup.
876
00:38:06,895 --> 00:38:08,094
But it is cold!
877
00:38:08,096 --> 00:38:08,828
[both laughing]
878
00:38:11,866 --> 00:38:13,199
all right, give me
another one.
879
00:38:13,201 --> 00:38:16,736
I mean, honestly, I can see
why this sells good
in west virginia.
880
00:38:16,738 --> 00:38:17,970
Yeah, you could go
worldwide with it.
881
00:38:17,972 --> 00:38:20,740
Oh, yeah, it's watermelon
through and through.
882
00:38:20,742 --> 00:38:22,041
I think he would have been
a whole lot better off
883
00:38:22,043 --> 00:38:24,477
if he just put
more of the juice,
884
00:38:24,479 --> 00:38:27,080
put a higher proof jar
of his liquor in there.
885
00:38:27,082 --> 00:38:29,382
And let the juice stand
on its own merits
886
00:38:29,384 --> 00:38:31,718
without puttin'
all that sugar in it.
887
00:38:31,720 --> 00:38:35,788
Liquor's been in our heritage
in those mountains
for a lot of years.
888
00:38:35,790 --> 00:38:38,091
And I just hope
I make 'em proud.
889
00:38:38,093 --> 00:38:40,226
-I'll give a cheers
to that, buddy.
-Cheers.
890
00:38:40,228 --> 00:38:41,627
-Good luck to ya.
-You too.
891
00:38:41,629 --> 00:38:44,030
Marky, where you at?
You yeller or pink?
892
00:38:44,032 --> 00:38:46,199
-I'm good.
-All right, he's good with it.
893
00:38:46,201 --> 00:38:49,102
-Now, you go get 'em.
I'll sit right here.
-All right.
894
00:38:49,104 --> 00:38:50,136
[tim chuckles]
895
00:38:52,040 --> 00:38:53,239
[mark] looky there.
896
00:38:53,241 --> 00:38:55,341
-[digger] here we are, marky.
-There ya are.
897
00:38:58,079 --> 00:38:59,645
Welcome back, men.
898
00:38:59,647 --> 00:39:01,647
You brought
your best sellers
your region.
899
00:39:01,649 --> 00:39:05,118
It's up to us
to roll the dice and see
if it'll sell elsewhere.
900
00:39:05,120 --> 00:39:09,222
Aaron, watermelon. Bam.
Hits you right in the mouth.
901
00:39:09,224 --> 00:39:10,790
Good drink, front to back.
902
00:39:10,792 --> 00:39:13,459
I didn't get
a whole lot of alcohol
on the nose,
903
00:39:13,461 --> 00:39:15,561
but it's still
a fine, fine drink.
904
00:39:15,563 --> 00:39:18,498
Looks like watermelon,
smells like watermelon,
tastes like watermelon.
905
00:39:18,500 --> 00:39:21,067
But, you know,
maybe that's so much flavor
you put in it
906
00:39:21,069 --> 00:39:22,802
kinda masks that alcohol.
907
00:39:22,804 --> 00:39:27,507
I'll tell ya.
It's 'bout the coldest drink
ever tasted. I ain't kidding.
908
00:39:27,509 --> 00:39:32,178
Cold, cold, cold.
But it is a little
on the sweet side.
909
00:39:33,114 --> 00:39:36,883
-Now, jon, good drink,
great flavor.
-Thank you.
910
00:39:36,885 --> 00:39:37,950
You've done it real good.
911
00:39:37,952 --> 00:39:40,086
You've got a good
butterscotch flavor.
912
00:39:40,088 --> 00:39:42,855
I didn't get any more
of the cranberries in there,
913
00:39:42,857 --> 00:39:45,992
but the butterscotch taste
was spot on.
914
00:39:45,994 --> 00:39:47,960
It too was just
a little bit sweet,
915
00:39:47,962 --> 00:39:52,098
but I could pick up alcohol
on the nose
as well as the tongue.
916
00:39:52,100 --> 00:39:54,267
The proof was right where
it needs to be.
917
00:39:54,269 --> 00:39:56,636
[tim] I do have to say
hats off.
918
00:39:56,638 --> 00:39:58,538
You took a candy
and ground it up
919
00:39:58,540 --> 00:40:00,940
and made a concentrate powder
out of it
920
00:40:00,942 --> 00:40:03,743
instead of maybe puttin'
in liquid concentrate in it.
921
00:40:03,745 --> 00:40:05,044
And that's outstanding.
922
00:40:05,046 --> 00:40:06,846
There's really not a whole lot
of negative to ya
923
00:40:06,848 --> 00:40:08,815
'cause none of ya
have messed up
924
00:40:08,817 --> 00:40:12,618
from the time ya mashed in
to the time you got
your finished last jar.
925
00:40:12,620 --> 00:40:15,988
Ya just tweaked it
to your likin',
to your region.
926
00:40:15,990 --> 00:40:18,825
I know they're marketable
in your respective areas
927
00:40:18,827 --> 00:40:21,928
'cause, I mean, obviously
you already sell 'em.
928
00:40:21,930 --> 00:40:27,033
But I think there's a market
out there nationwide for both
of these products.
929
00:40:27,035 --> 00:40:30,236
I wish we didn't have to cut
somebody loose.
930
00:40:30,238 --> 00:40:33,005
But there can't be
two master distillers.
931
00:40:37,779 --> 00:40:38,978
Jon...
932
00:40:39,714 --> 00:40:41,848
...You're the next
master distiller, buddy.
933
00:40:41,850 --> 00:40:43,416
-[digger] congratulations.
-Thank you.
934
00:40:43,418 --> 00:40:45,017
-Thanks.
-Good job, man. Good job.
935
00:40:45,019 --> 00:40:47,220
-Thank you.
-Good job to you, man.
936
00:40:47,222 --> 00:40:48,888
I'm super happy.
I brought my a game.
937
00:40:48,890 --> 00:40:50,923
But I got to learn on the top.
938
00:40:50,925 --> 00:40:52,492
So, you know,
this is a double win.
939
00:40:52,494 --> 00:40:54,760
I think jimbo's gonna be
super proud of me.
940
00:40:54,762 --> 00:40:56,896
We've replayed this moment
in our heads for years now.
941
00:40:56,898 --> 00:40:59,065
So I think he's gonna be
super excited.
942
00:40:59,067 --> 00:41:02,568
It's been an honor
to get to taste your spirits.
943
00:41:02,570 --> 00:41:06,072
And I look forward
to seeing big things
from both of you guys.
944
00:41:06,074 --> 00:41:08,875
I think I represented
west virginia really well.
945
00:41:08,877 --> 00:41:10,443
I turned in the best jar
I could
946
00:41:10,445 --> 00:41:13,679
turned out [chuckles]
it wasn't the best jar.
947
00:41:13,681 --> 00:41:18,150
But I'm happy. Goin' home back
to my mountains and go back
to makin' moonshine.
948
00:41:18,152 --> 00:41:20,520
Thank ya, boys.
Y'all been great competitors.
949
00:41:20,522 --> 00:41:21,921
Thank you. Thank you, guys.
950
00:41:21,923 --> 00:41:23,923
It's definitely
a family tradition.
951
00:41:23,925 --> 00:41:27,460
Roll tide. Alabama represent!
[chuckles]
952
00:41:27,462 --> 00:41:29,462
-let's go get us a drink.
-[chuckles] yeah.