1
00:00:01,235 --> 00:00:02,801
You can make vodka
out of about anything.
2
00:00:02,837 --> 00:00:05,337
[jeremy] this time
on master distiller.
3
00:00:05,373 --> 00:00:07,840
Lots of different kinds
with lots of personalities.
4
00:00:07,875 --> 00:00:10,509
-[jeremy] vodka.
-That smelled like home.
5
00:00:10,544 --> 00:00:12,044
[jeremy]
the secret to surviving
6
00:00:12,079 --> 00:00:13,579
icy russian winters...
7
00:00:13,614 --> 00:00:14,947
[tim]
it's like moonshining,
8
00:00:14,982 --> 00:00:17,016
except they got potatoes
and we got a lot of corn.
9
00:00:17,051 --> 00:00:19,818
[jeremy] ...Is now america's
most popular spirit.
10
00:00:19,854 --> 00:00:21,687
That is what
I expect out of a bottle.
11
00:00:21,722 --> 00:00:23,889
[jeremy] and making
the best jar of a liquor
12
00:00:23,924 --> 00:00:26,125
that's famous
for having no flavor...
13
00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:27,926
I'd say that's about
vodka status right there.
14
00:00:27,962 --> 00:00:30,863
[jeremy] ... Could be
the holy grail
of high-proof distilling.
15
00:00:30,898 --> 00:00:32,364
You knocked that out the park.
16
00:00:33,634 --> 00:00:35,067
[jeremy]
across the country,
17
00:00:35,102 --> 00:00:37,169
a handful
of amateur distillers
18
00:00:37,204 --> 00:00:40,539
are heirs to
a centuries-old tradition.
19
00:00:41,809 --> 00:00:44,043
Some operate
on the legal side,
20
00:00:44,078 --> 00:00:45,944
others practice their craft
21
00:00:45,980 --> 00:00:48,347
beyond the reach of the law.
22
00:00:48,382 --> 00:00:50,749
Now, they'll face off
to earn their place
23
00:00:50,785 --> 00:00:52,951
in america's
liquor-making legacy.
24
00:00:52,987 --> 00:00:54,586
[scott] think you're gonna
get enough out of it?
25
00:00:54,622 --> 00:00:56,088
[thomas] I just need enough
of the good stuff.
26
00:00:56,123 --> 00:00:58,857
[jeremy] judged by three
legendary moonshiners...
27
00:00:58,893 --> 00:01:00,359
Three different things
going on.
28
00:01:00,394 --> 00:01:01,727
[jeremy]
...They'll go head-to-head
29
00:01:01,762 --> 00:01:03,562
in a series of challenges...
30
00:01:03,597 --> 00:01:06,198
-Honestly...
That's good liquor.
-Yeah.
31
00:01:06,233 --> 00:01:09,068
[jeremy] ...To determine
who has what it takes...
32
00:01:09,103 --> 00:01:10,736
You gotta risk it
to get the biscuits.
33
00:01:10,771 --> 00:01:12,171
[jeremy] ...To be named...
34
00:01:12,206 --> 00:01:14,440
-He may be the one
to watch in this, right?
-He may be.
35
00:01:14,475 --> 00:01:16,442
[jeremy] ...Master distiller.
36
00:01:16,477 --> 00:01:18,677
It'll be
an interesting contest, tim.
37
00:01:23,884 --> 00:01:25,384
[melancholy music playing]
38
00:01:27,988 --> 00:01:30,155
[digger] hey, guys.
Welcome to master distiller.
39
00:01:30,191 --> 00:01:33,092
I'm digger manes,
tim smith,
40
00:01:33,127 --> 00:01:34,359
and my best buddy
right down there,
41
00:01:34,395 --> 00:01:35,994
mark wayne ramsey.
42
00:01:36,030 --> 00:01:38,530
You all are here today
to make us some vodka,
43
00:01:38,566 --> 00:01:40,132
tater squeezings.
44
00:01:40,167 --> 00:01:41,266
We're looking forward to it.
45
00:01:41,302 --> 00:01:44,103
[jeremy]
vodka, a spirit so neutral,
46
00:01:44,138 --> 00:01:47,473
its name derives
from the russian word
for water.
47
00:01:47,508 --> 00:01:49,241
First used as a medicine
48
00:01:49,276 --> 00:01:51,543
in eastern europe
during the middle ages,
49
00:01:51,579 --> 00:01:54,713
vodka became a favorite
of 16th-century
50
00:01:54,715 --> 00:01:56,849
home distillers,
who made it
51
00:01:56,884 --> 00:02:00,185
from anything fermentable,
from wheat to potatoes,
52
00:02:00,221 --> 00:02:03,722
to keep warm
in freezing winters.
53
00:02:03,757 --> 00:02:06,358
It wasn't until the end
of the 18th century
54
00:02:06,393 --> 00:02:08,293
that advancements
in distillation
55
00:02:08,329 --> 00:02:11,330
increased the purity
and brew,
56
00:02:11,365 --> 00:02:14,533
creating the spirit
we know today.
57
00:02:14,568 --> 00:02:16,468
In 1917,
58
00:02:16,504 --> 00:02:18,971
immigrants fleeing
the russian revolution
59
00:02:19,006 --> 00:02:22,374
brought their staple
spirit to america.
60
00:02:22,409 --> 00:02:24,543
After exploding
in popularity
61
00:02:24,578 --> 00:02:26,411
in the 1970s,
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00:02:26,447 --> 00:02:29,915
vodka finally surpassed
whiskey in 2003
63
00:02:29,950 --> 00:02:31,850
as the most-consumed
liquor
64
00:02:31,886 --> 00:02:34,153
in the united states.
65
00:02:34,188 --> 00:02:36,889
Its neutral flavor
makes it a popular base
66
00:02:36,924 --> 00:02:38,290
for cocktails.
67
00:02:38,325 --> 00:02:40,459
But any vodka drinker
will tell you,
68
00:02:40,494 --> 00:02:43,195
no two brands
taste the same.
69
00:02:43,230 --> 00:02:45,330
That's because
vodka's clean,
70
00:02:45,366 --> 00:02:47,866
subtle taste profile
is honed
71
00:02:47,935 --> 00:02:50,202
through multiple
distillations.
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00:02:50,237 --> 00:02:52,404
The true test
of a distiller's skill
73
00:02:52,439 --> 00:02:53,906
on a still.
74
00:02:53,941 --> 00:02:56,241
If we name you
master distiller,
75
00:02:56,277 --> 00:02:58,577
you're gonna win
your bragging rights
76
00:02:58,612 --> 00:03:00,445
and a limited run
of your liquor
77
00:03:00,481 --> 00:03:02,314
at sugarlands
distilling company.
78
00:03:02,349 --> 00:03:04,316
I spent some time in poland.
79
00:03:04,351 --> 00:03:06,785
Vodka is their number one
product, really.
80
00:03:06,820 --> 00:03:08,954
It's like moonshining,
except they got potatoes,
81
00:03:08,989 --> 00:03:10,055
and we got a lot of corn.
82
00:03:10,090 --> 00:03:11,323
Depending on how you work it,
83
00:03:11,358 --> 00:03:13,058
you can make vodka
out of about anything.
84
00:03:13,093 --> 00:03:15,727
We're looking for that
homemade,
85
00:03:15,763 --> 00:03:18,697
polish-style vodka that rolls
right off of your tongue.
86
00:03:18,732 --> 00:03:20,032
It'll be a challenge
to you,
87
00:03:20,067 --> 00:03:22,301
there's thousands of them
out there.
88
00:03:22,336 --> 00:03:24,603
But we're excited
about seeing the skills
89
00:03:24,638 --> 00:03:26,505
that you bring
to display here.
90
00:03:26,540 --> 00:03:28,140
You got one hour
to mash in.
91
00:03:28,175 --> 00:03:31,343
After that time,
we'll ask you to step away
from your kettles.
92
00:03:31,378 --> 00:03:36,215
And it's time to go.
One hour, starting now.
93
00:03:37,885 --> 00:03:39,585
[jeremy]
while most commercial vodkas
94
00:03:39,620 --> 00:03:41,453
use a grain-based mash,
95
00:03:41,488 --> 00:03:44,356
vodka can be made
from any base.
96
00:03:44,391 --> 00:03:47,859
Distillers will mash in
their original vodka recipes
97
00:03:47,895 --> 00:03:50,062
to create a mash
that can ferment
98
00:03:50,097 --> 00:03:51,797
in only five days,
99
00:03:51,832 --> 00:03:53,265
and yield enough alcohol
100
00:03:53,334 --> 00:03:56,168
to last through
the entire competition.
101
00:03:56,203 --> 00:03:57,736
Three different things
going on.
102
00:03:57,771 --> 00:03:59,972
That just shows up
what happens
103
00:04:00,007 --> 00:04:01,340
in different parts
of the country.
104
00:04:01,375 --> 00:04:03,008
Yup. The way they learned
to do things.
105
00:04:03,043 --> 00:04:05,877
And that's gonna be neat
if they come out of the gate,
106
00:04:05,913 --> 00:04:08,080
and all three of them
have that neutral taste.
107
00:04:08,115 --> 00:04:09,881
Yeah. You really want vodka
108
00:04:09,883 --> 00:04:11,683
to taste like
whatever you put in it.
109
00:04:11,719 --> 00:04:13,252
-[digger] yeah.
-[tim] right.
110
00:04:13,287 --> 00:04:14,453
Not what it's made from,
111
00:04:14,488 --> 00:04:16,188
-not like moonshine.
-Right.
112
00:04:16,223 --> 00:04:17,689
So if we need
to borrow sugar, shawn,
113
00:04:17,725 --> 00:04:19,091
-we can get it from you?
-We can come to you?
114
00:04:19,126 --> 00:04:20,592
Yes, sir.
You got it, man.
115
00:04:20,628 --> 00:04:23,328
Hey, I'd rather have it
and not need it
than need it and not have it.
116
00:04:23,364 --> 00:04:24,596
I got extra corn
if you need it.
117
00:04:24,632 --> 00:04:26,598
-I appreciate that.
-You know, shawn,
118
00:04:26,634 --> 00:04:29,635
he's kind of...
Stays to
his self over there.
119
00:04:29,670 --> 00:04:31,603
He may be the one
to watch in this, right?
120
00:04:31,639 --> 00:04:33,272
He may be.
He may have a little trickery
121
00:04:33,307 --> 00:04:35,173
-going on over there.
-[chuckles]
122
00:04:36,110 --> 00:04:37,342
my name's shawn rigsby.
123
00:04:37,378 --> 00:04:38,944
I'm from springfield, ohio.
124
00:04:38,979 --> 00:04:41,913
I'm a mechanic by trade,
but I do a little distilling.
125
00:04:41,949 --> 00:04:45,050
I stay busy.
I just do what I love,
and that's part of it.
126
00:04:45,085 --> 00:04:46,418
Let's do like a circle here.
127
00:04:46,453 --> 00:04:48,153
And this is my thumper
that takes all the beating.
128
00:04:48,188 --> 00:04:49,454
People see me,
they just assume
129
00:04:49,490 --> 00:04:51,923
I'm some dumb hillbilly
that don't know much,
you know.
130
00:04:51,959 --> 00:04:53,125
But I know more than I should.
131
00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:55,160
And I know I make
a damn good jar of liquor.
132
00:04:55,195 --> 00:04:57,062
Clear as a bell, son.
133
00:04:57,097 --> 00:05:00,032
In my family,
there's bootleggers
and distillers.
134
00:05:00,067 --> 00:05:02,467
My grandfather,
in eastern kentucky,
he would make liquor,
135
00:05:02,503 --> 00:05:03,602
and he would turn
his porch light on
136
00:05:03,637 --> 00:05:05,337
when he had liquor,
and people would come down.
137
00:05:05,372 --> 00:05:07,472
When he was out,
he'd flick the light off.
138
00:05:07,508 --> 00:05:09,608
And then there's me.
I've been doing it
139
00:05:09,643 --> 00:05:11,543
off and on for probably
10 years or better.
140
00:05:11,578 --> 00:05:12,911
I don't run
a big distillery
141
00:05:12,946 --> 00:05:15,247
like some of these guys,
so winning master distiller
142
00:05:15,282 --> 00:05:17,883
would, you know,
open up a lot of
opportunities for me.
143
00:05:17,918 --> 00:05:20,052
We'll give it hell
and see what happens.
144
00:05:20,087 --> 00:05:22,220
Well, I went with the normal,
with wheat,
145
00:05:22,256 --> 00:05:24,089
uh, corn,
and distiller's malt.
146
00:05:24,124 --> 00:05:25,824
And I did a little bit
of a different corn,
147
00:05:25,859 --> 00:05:28,293
it's not your normal
sweet corn.
148
00:05:28,329 --> 00:05:30,729
It's bloody butcher corn
from pennsylvania.
149
00:05:30,764 --> 00:05:31,630
With bloody butcher corn,
150
00:05:31,665 --> 00:05:32,931
it gives it just
a little bit different--
151
00:05:32,966 --> 00:05:35,901
like a spice flavor to it,
not like a rye,
152
00:05:35,936 --> 00:05:36,902
not that dominant,
153
00:05:36,937 --> 00:05:38,170
but just a little
bit different.
154
00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:40,339
All grain, uh, no potatoes?
155
00:05:40,374 --> 00:05:42,708
-No potatoes.
-Now, this is a contest,
156
00:05:42,743 --> 00:05:44,176
not time to be experimenting.
157
00:05:44,211 --> 00:05:46,278
-Oh, I know.
-Oh, don't burn your water.
158
00:05:46,313 --> 00:05:47,346
Well, I don't plan on it.
159
00:05:47,381 --> 00:05:49,848
[laughs]
160
00:05:49,883 --> 00:05:52,651
thomas,
he's a young kid,
161
00:05:52,686 --> 00:05:55,420
works in a legal distillery.
162
00:05:55,456 --> 00:05:57,756
Not used to running
this type of equipment.
163
00:05:57,791 --> 00:06:00,926
-He's confident in himself
in a real quiet way.
-Yeah.
164
00:06:01,895 --> 00:06:03,095
My name is thomas williams.
165
00:06:03,130 --> 00:06:04,763
I'm a distiller
in helena, arkansas.
166
00:06:04,798 --> 00:06:07,065
I've been distilling
for about two years now,
167
00:06:07,134 --> 00:06:09,401
and my father asked me
to help him run
168
00:06:09,436 --> 00:06:10,469
the new business
he was starting.
169
00:06:12,272 --> 00:06:14,873
It is a craft distillery
in the delta
170
00:06:14,908 --> 00:06:18,110
using all locally
farm-grown grains,
171
00:06:18,145 --> 00:06:20,145
mostly from our own
family farm.
172
00:06:20,180 --> 00:06:22,681
Turning homegrown grains
into something
173
00:06:22,716 --> 00:06:24,316
completely different
is definitely
174
00:06:24,351 --> 00:06:26,351
one of the rewarding
parts of it.
175
00:06:26,387 --> 00:06:27,619
My dream
for the distillery
176
00:06:27,654 --> 00:06:30,122
is to open
a second location
177
00:06:30,157 --> 00:06:31,757
all by myself,
and having a bunch
178
00:06:31,792 --> 00:06:34,359
of my signature recipes
be the landmark of that.
179
00:06:34,395 --> 00:06:36,328
[upbeat music playing]
180
00:06:36,363 --> 00:06:39,631
winning master distiller
would be a great
head start on that dream.
181
00:06:40,467 --> 00:06:42,401
-Mr. Thomas.
-Yes, sir.
182
00:06:42,436 --> 00:06:44,469
What you cooking, sir?
From arkansas.
183
00:06:44,505 --> 00:06:46,538
Got some sweet potatoes
and corn,
184
00:06:46,573 --> 00:06:48,206
-both grown in the delta.
-Sweet potatoes and corn?
185
00:06:48,242 --> 00:06:49,374
I got my corn over here.
186
00:06:49,410 --> 00:06:51,877
[tim] oh. So you got it
ground up pretty fine.
187
00:06:51,912 --> 00:06:53,345
-Yup.
-I like that.
188
00:06:53,380 --> 00:06:54,713
You brought all this
from home?
189
00:06:54,748 --> 00:06:56,948
-I did. Family farm.
-Yeah?
190
00:06:56,984 --> 00:06:58,817
The combination
of sweet potatoes and corn
191
00:06:58,852 --> 00:07:01,553
has proven to be
a very unique combination
192
00:07:01,588 --> 00:07:03,188
that I've gotten
some great feedback on,
193
00:07:03,223 --> 00:07:05,223
and it has a very smooth
flavor to it.
194
00:07:05,259 --> 00:07:07,759
Gotta have marshmallows,
or prawns on top of it.
You'll be good.
195
00:07:07,795 --> 00:07:09,227
Okay.
196
00:07:09,263 --> 00:07:11,363
[mark]
I think scott fancies himself
197
00:07:11,398 --> 00:07:13,131
more a backwoods distiller.
198
00:07:13,167 --> 00:07:14,766
But, you know,
he's a school teacher.
199
00:07:14,802 --> 00:07:16,868
Well, in his day job,
you know.
200
00:07:16,904 --> 00:07:18,303
[tim]
when I was going to school,
201
00:07:18,305 --> 00:07:20,038
I didn't think about
my school teacher
being a moonshiner.
202
00:07:20,073 --> 00:07:23,041
You never know what they do
when they
leave the books behind.
203
00:07:23,076 --> 00:07:25,811
We are what we are
only when no one is watching.
204
00:07:26,647 --> 00:07:27,712
My name is scott moore.
205
00:07:27,748 --> 00:07:29,214
I live in chattanooga,
tennessee.
206
00:07:29,249 --> 00:07:31,516
For a living,
I'm an educator
and a football coach.
207
00:07:31,552 --> 00:07:33,318
I've been distilling
about three years.
208
00:07:33,353 --> 00:07:35,821
What got me started
was watching mark,
tim, and digger.
209
00:07:35,856 --> 00:07:37,656
Just wanted to see
if I could do what they do.
210
00:07:37,691 --> 00:07:39,558
In my family, there were
people that made it,
211
00:07:39,593 --> 00:07:42,060
so, you know,
being able to continue on
212
00:07:42,095 --> 00:07:44,196
and do that
is a big deal to me.
213
00:07:44,231 --> 00:07:45,730
I make vodka.
Most people say,
214
00:07:45,766 --> 00:07:47,632
"man, that's good.
That's some of the best
I've had."
215
00:07:47,668 --> 00:07:48,733
it's pretty tasty.
216
00:07:48,769 --> 00:07:49,868
I've got a bachelor
of science,
217
00:07:49,903 --> 00:07:52,604
so being able
to look at how
things are made
218
00:07:52,639 --> 00:07:55,006
and how the makeup
of chemicals and compounds
219
00:07:55,042 --> 00:07:58,176
is huge, to be able to
break things down and
look at how they work.
220
00:07:58,212 --> 00:08:01,446
Winning the master distiller
would really help me
have the confidence
221
00:08:01,482 --> 00:08:05,050
to move forward,
to look into opening
my own distillery.
222
00:08:05,085 --> 00:08:06,618
I didn't know if y'alls
were gonna
have paddles or not,
223
00:08:06,653 --> 00:08:08,220
I brought my lucky one.
224
00:08:08,255 --> 00:08:10,121
So if you lose,
you gonna throw it away?
225
00:08:10,157 --> 00:08:12,324
I might, or make another.
226
00:08:12,359 --> 00:08:13,158
[laughs]
227
00:08:13,927 --> 00:08:17,429
[suspenseful music playing]
228
00:08:17,464 --> 00:08:19,064
[scott] my signature
recipe for vodka
229
00:08:19,099 --> 00:08:21,032
is pretty traditional.
It's corn-based.
230
00:08:21,068 --> 00:08:22,300
It's got some wheat in it
231
00:08:22,336 --> 00:08:24,169
to kind of help soften it
a little bit.
232
00:08:24,204 --> 00:08:26,071
-Talk to me there, scott.
-Yes, sir.
233
00:08:26,106 --> 00:08:27,239
Tell me
what you're cooking, here.
234
00:08:27,274 --> 00:08:28,974
Uh, a little corn,
a little wheat.
235
00:08:29,009 --> 00:08:30,408
-Corn and wheat.
-Yes, sir.
236
00:08:30,444 --> 00:08:32,944
I got some malted wheat
and malted barley
237
00:08:32,980 --> 00:08:34,479
to help it out
a little bit.
238
00:08:34,515 --> 00:08:35,814
-No potatoes?
-No potatoes.
239
00:08:35,849 --> 00:08:37,015
Nothing else.
240
00:08:37,050 --> 00:08:38,884
And where did this corn
come from?
241
00:08:38,919 --> 00:08:39,784
A friend.
242
00:08:39,820 --> 00:08:40,785
Is this tennessee corn?
243
00:08:40,821 --> 00:08:41,786
I don't know where he got it.
244
00:08:41,822 --> 00:08:42,954
But you know how it is,
245
00:08:42,990 --> 00:08:44,055
you don't ask
a lot of questions
246
00:08:44,091 --> 00:08:45,790
about where stuff
come from. [laughs]
247
00:08:45,826 --> 00:08:47,192
okay.
248
00:08:47,227 --> 00:08:48,627
It'll be
an interesting contest.
249
00:08:51,298 --> 00:08:52,631
Your time's up, men.
250
00:08:52,666 --> 00:08:54,466
Step away
from your barrels.
251
00:08:54,501 --> 00:08:56,268
We'll see you boys
in five days,
252
00:08:56,303 --> 00:08:57,869
and we'll get that
first run out of the way.
253
00:08:57,905 --> 00:08:58,937
-Sounds good.
-[digger] thank you.
254
00:08:58,972 --> 00:09:00,205
-[mark] see you, guys.
-[tim] good job.
255
00:09:10,350 --> 00:09:12,484
All right, men.
Welcome back.
256
00:09:12,519 --> 00:09:13,852
You noticed
your mash barrels in here.
257
00:09:13,887 --> 00:09:16,288
We've checked it out,
it's ready to run.
258
00:09:16,323 --> 00:09:18,957
Your version of vodka,
that's what we wanna see.
259
00:09:18,992 --> 00:09:20,792
I'm a big fan of vodka,
260
00:09:20,827 --> 00:09:24,329
and there is
lots of different kinds
with lots of personalities.
261
00:09:24,364 --> 00:09:26,231
There's grain-based,
potato-based.
262
00:09:26,266 --> 00:09:28,567
Hopefully, you're gonna
make us something good,
263
00:09:28,602 --> 00:09:30,635
with some good
characteristic personality
264
00:09:30,671 --> 00:09:32,070
of where you are from.
265
00:09:32,105 --> 00:09:35,507
We're simply gonna
judge on taste alone today.
266
00:09:35,542 --> 00:09:39,878
The favorite will get
first pick of still parts
267
00:09:39,913 --> 00:09:41,079
at the stillhouse.
268
00:09:41,114 --> 00:09:44,015
But one jar in four hours.
269
00:09:44,051 --> 00:09:47,052
Your time starts now.
270
00:09:47,087 --> 00:09:48,320
[jeremy] for the first run,
271
00:09:48,355 --> 00:09:51,122
distillers will produce
a base for their vodka
272
00:09:51,158 --> 00:09:53,224
at a minimum of 90 proof,
273
00:09:53,260 --> 00:09:56,161
to showcase the flavors
in their signature mash.
274
00:09:56,196 --> 00:09:58,463
In the second distillation,
275
00:09:58,498 --> 00:10:00,198
they'll refine
the base spirit
276
00:10:00,233 --> 00:10:03,501
into a true vodka
for elimination.
277
00:10:03,537 --> 00:10:05,837
They're mash cleared out good,
278
00:10:05,872 --> 00:10:07,238
uh, every one of them.
279
00:10:07,274 --> 00:10:09,741
[tim] and thomas got
a totally different recipe
over there,
280
00:10:09,776 --> 00:10:11,142
so I'm really excited
about that.
281
00:10:11,178 --> 00:10:12,877
He reminds of the guys,
282
00:10:12,913 --> 00:10:14,546
you know, in poland.
283
00:10:14,581 --> 00:10:17,048
They got their own
unique thing from home,
284
00:10:17,084 --> 00:10:18,283
so I'm pretty sure
285
00:10:18,318 --> 00:10:19,651
it's gonna be
very different
286
00:10:19,686 --> 00:10:21,786
to any of these
two guys here.
287
00:10:21,822 --> 00:10:23,288
[thomas] finally seeing
and smelling my mash
288
00:10:23,323 --> 00:10:24,289
for the first time.
289
00:10:24,324 --> 00:10:26,391
I did get the flavors
290
00:10:26,426 --> 00:10:27,926
and characteristics
291
00:10:27,961 --> 00:10:30,228
that I'm used to
and what I was expecting.
292
00:10:30,263 --> 00:10:32,297
I was pleased.
It looked and smelled good.
293
00:10:33,767 --> 00:10:36,468
I think my mash was, uh, good.
294
00:10:36,503 --> 00:10:38,169
I would've liked to have
had a little bit more,
295
00:10:38,205 --> 00:10:40,338
um, alcohol in it.
296
00:10:40,374 --> 00:10:42,173
Uh, I try to be a little
bit more traditional
297
00:10:42,209 --> 00:10:44,643
with vodka
and not use lot of sugar,
so...
298
00:10:44,678 --> 00:10:46,611
I knew there wasn't gonna be
that much alcohol in it.
299
00:10:46,647 --> 00:10:49,080
But, we're gonna make
an adjustment there.
300
00:10:50,851 --> 00:10:53,752
Shawn's, he had a little
bit of grain on top
301
00:10:53,787 --> 00:10:55,220
but nothing to worry about.
302
00:10:55,255 --> 00:10:57,322
It tastes really good.
303
00:10:57,357 --> 00:10:58,790
[shawn] after seeing
and tasting my mash,
304
00:10:58,825 --> 00:11:00,291
yeah, it's ready to run.
305
00:11:00,327 --> 00:11:02,260
I feel very comfortable
running this still.
306
00:11:02,295 --> 00:11:04,262
It is exactly what
I would be doing at home.
307
00:11:06,066 --> 00:11:07,932
-We're good.
-[jeremy] coming up...
308
00:11:07,968 --> 00:11:09,167
That's a cadillac
right there.
309
00:11:09,202 --> 00:11:10,769
[jeremy]
it's backwoods techniques...
310
00:11:10,804 --> 00:11:13,638
Every time it passes through
one them sight glasses,
his proof goes up.
311
00:11:13,674 --> 00:11:15,473
[jeremy]
...Versus modern technology.
312
00:11:15,509 --> 00:11:18,043
So you're thinking the
blastoff to the moon.
313
00:11:19,346 --> 00:11:20,812
[jeremy] a midwestern shiner,
314
00:11:20,847 --> 00:11:22,580
a young legal distiller
315
00:11:22,616 --> 00:11:25,016
and a moonshining
school teacher
316
00:11:25,052 --> 00:11:26,551
are running a base spirit.
317
00:11:26,586 --> 00:11:30,655
The first distillation
of their own vodka recipe.
318
00:11:32,025 --> 00:11:33,425
[scott] here we go,
we're dripping.
319
00:11:33,460 --> 00:11:34,693
Oh, yeah.
320
00:11:34,728 --> 00:11:36,728
I got money coming out
of the pot now.
321
00:11:36,763 --> 00:11:38,363
[scott] think you're gonna
get enough out of it?
322
00:11:38,398 --> 00:11:39,364
[thomas] we'll see.
323
00:11:39,399 --> 00:11:40,799
[digger] two hours, men.
324
00:11:40,834 --> 00:11:42,200
You're halfway there.
325
00:11:42,235 --> 00:11:43,802
[thomas] I just need enough
of the good stuff.
326
00:11:48,175 --> 00:11:49,874
[shawn] looks like we're
heading the right direction,
boys.
327
00:11:49,910 --> 00:11:51,476
As far as tempering goes,
328
00:11:51,511 --> 00:11:53,311
I used a little bit
of spring water
329
00:11:53,346 --> 00:11:54,679
and I also mixed some jars.
330
00:11:54,715 --> 00:11:56,414
I need another
bottle of water.
331
00:11:56,450 --> 00:11:58,249
I am used
to using a hydrometer
332
00:11:58,285 --> 00:12:01,386
and some tech
to help me figure out
what proof I'm adding,
333
00:12:01,421 --> 00:12:02,754
kind of where I wanna be.
334
00:12:02,789 --> 00:12:04,956
This is a new
territory for me.
335
00:12:06,660 --> 00:12:07,959
Proof's still way up there.
336
00:12:07,994 --> 00:12:09,728
I do normally proof
with a hydrometer
337
00:12:09,763 --> 00:12:12,530
and, um, I think that
kind of threw me off
a little bit.
338
00:12:12,566 --> 00:12:14,165
I proofed earlier on
without one.
339
00:12:14,234 --> 00:12:16,167
Um, but it's been a while
since I have,
340
00:12:16,203 --> 00:12:18,236
so that kind of played
with it a little bit.
341
00:12:18,271 --> 00:12:21,239
I should tell you to
add water. I'm just
waiting on it to clear.
342
00:12:21,274 --> 00:12:22,640
Five minutes, fellers,
343
00:12:22,676 --> 00:12:24,375
we're getting to the end
pretty quick.
344
00:12:24,411 --> 00:12:25,877
[mark]
I believed that's it, boys.
345
00:12:25,912 --> 00:12:27,245
-That's it.
-Here comes shawn
346
00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:28,246
-bringing his in.
-All right.
347
00:12:28,281 --> 00:12:30,115
[tim] looking like
a clear jar.
348
00:12:30,150 --> 00:12:31,716
There you go.
349
00:12:31,752 --> 00:12:33,251
This is the one.
350
00:12:33,286 --> 00:12:34,552
-Is that the one, thomas?
-There you go.
351
00:12:34,588 --> 00:12:36,821
-It's the one.
-All right, buddy.
352
00:12:36,857 --> 00:12:38,556
All right.
There she is.
353
00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:42,060
That's the one.
354
00:12:42,095 --> 00:12:44,629
Oh, cloudy,
a little less cloudy...
355
00:12:44,664 --> 00:12:45,897
-And here--
-still a little less cloudy.
356
00:12:46,900 --> 00:12:48,533
-Shawn, from ohio.
-[digger] that's shawn.
357
00:12:48,568 --> 00:12:50,201
-I hope they look
past that...
-Yeah.
358
00:12:50,237 --> 00:12:51,169
-The cloudiness.
-No, yeah.
359
00:12:51,204 --> 00:12:53,004
You know what I mean?
360
00:12:53,039 --> 00:12:56,374
-Honestly...
That's good liquor.
-Yeah.
361
00:12:56,409 --> 00:12:59,344
Yeah. No doubt.
362
00:12:59,379 --> 00:13:01,112
Nice and crisp.
363
00:13:01,148 --> 00:13:02,413
-[digger] yup.
-Good proof.
364
00:13:02,449 --> 00:13:05,750
Clear. I mean, really
that one's got everything
365
00:13:05,786 --> 00:13:08,820
that we asked them
to bring, every time.
366
00:13:08,855 --> 00:13:10,588
All right, we got
mr. Scott here.
367
00:13:10,624 --> 00:13:12,824
Smell and taste of mine
was okay.
368
00:13:12,859 --> 00:13:15,093
I was a little concerned
about when I added
that spring water,
369
00:13:15,128 --> 00:13:16,995
the look of it.
But I was pleased with it.
370
00:13:17,030 --> 00:13:18,696
[tim] just a little bit
cloudy.
371
00:13:18,732 --> 00:13:21,032
I'm not sure how he got
that cloudiness in there,
372
00:13:21,067 --> 00:13:21,933
but I guess when you're--
373
00:13:21,968 --> 00:13:24,235
it ain't harsh on the nose.
374
00:13:24,271 --> 00:13:26,271
No, it ain't bad on the nose.
375
00:13:26,306 --> 00:13:28,773
[digger]
the taste isn't horrible,
there's just not a lot of it.
376
00:13:28,809 --> 00:13:30,708
-It's weak.
-It's just weak.
377
00:13:30,744 --> 00:13:31,843
-It falls apart.
-Weak.
378
00:13:31,878 --> 00:13:34,379
-But it is a first run.
-Right.
379
00:13:34,414 --> 00:13:36,381
So we can't call the dogs yet.
380
00:13:36,416 --> 00:13:40,084
So far, both of these guys
have something to work with.
381
00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:41,820
Yeah, we wanna move on
to mr. Thomas.
382
00:13:41,855 --> 00:13:43,655
[thomas]
I think the flavor profile
383
00:13:43,690 --> 00:13:44,989
could either be a hit
or a miss.
384
00:13:45,025 --> 00:13:46,825
They'll either like it
or they'll hate it.
385
00:13:46,860 --> 00:13:49,227
There's a definitely
a different smell in that.
386
00:13:49,262 --> 00:13:51,396
[tim] what is going on here?
387
00:13:51,431 --> 00:13:53,498
-[mark] thomas' is
not unpleasant.
-It don't smell horrible.
388
00:13:53,533 --> 00:13:55,934
It's just real light.
And I don't think
389
00:13:55,969 --> 00:13:58,236
it's very much proof
at all.
390
00:13:58,305 --> 00:14:00,438
Yeah, there's no doubt
right there.
391
00:14:00,473 --> 00:14:02,307
Because, I mean,
scott does have a little bit
392
00:14:02,342 --> 00:14:05,009
of character to it
but he just watered it down.
393
00:14:05,045 --> 00:14:07,579
That's why both of them
are so cloudy.
394
00:14:07,614 --> 00:14:09,314
Shawn used
just a splash of water
395
00:14:09,349 --> 00:14:11,182
-to even-tempered it all.
-[tim] yeah.
396
00:14:11,218 --> 00:14:12,550
And these other guys,
I think...
397
00:14:12,586 --> 00:14:13,718
I think they panicked.
398
00:14:13,753 --> 00:14:15,753
[mark] I think that
the majority of people
399
00:14:15,789 --> 00:14:18,590
has never ever tempered
400
00:14:18,625 --> 00:14:21,359
a jar without a hydrometer.
401
00:14:21,394 --> 00:14:23,862
They, you know,
they depend on the hydrometer
402
00:14:23,897 --> 00:14:25,496
-instead of what they know.
-Yeah.
403
00:14:25,532 --> 00:14:27,832
I think I'm good.
You good?
404
00:14:27,868 --> 00:14:29,534
I'm right there.
I'm riding with mark.
405
00:14:30,370 --> 00:14:32,604
[suspenseful music playing]
406
00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:34,973
[digger]
before we go any farther,
407
00:14:35,008 --> 00:14:38,643
I wanna...
I wanna ask a question,
and I want an honest answer.
408
00:14:38,678 --> 00:14:41,012
How many of y'all have ever
tempered a run of liquor
409
00:14:41,047 --> 00:14:43,781
without the assistance
of a hydrometer?
410
00:14:43,817 --> 00:14:45,116
No.
411
00:14:45,151 --> 00:14:46,417
Once or twice, early on.
412
00:14:46,453 --> 00:14:50,221
Uh, that's really what--
all we needed to know.
413
00:14:50,257 --> 00:14:53,858
Shawn, yours,
I taste a little earthy.
414
00:14:53,894 --> 00:14:55,026
I guess it's the wheat,
right?
415
00:14:55,061 --> 00:14:56,394
Is that what it was?
You had wheat in there?
416
00:14:56,429 --> 00:14:58,096
Yes, sir. Yeah, wheat
and a little bit of corn.
417
00:14:58,131 --> 00:15:00,932
Real good job, uh,
clearest jar on the table.
418
00:15:00,967 --> 00:15:02,734
I think you hit it good
on the proof,
419
00:15:02,769 --> 00:15:04,369
about 90, something like that.
420
00:15:04,404 --> 00:15:07,472
You got a tiny bit tinged
on your... On your tempering,
421
00:15:07,507 --> 00:15:09,140
but not bad.
422
00:15:09,175 --> 00:15:11,009
Thomas, I think you put
423
00:15:11,044 --> 00:15:12,777
a little bit
too much water in it.
424
00:15:12,812 --> 00:15:14,479
Your proof
fell well down.
425
00:15:14,514 --> 00:15:16,381
But then again,
it's a base.
426
00:15:16,416 --> 00:15:17,448
It's where you gonna with it.
427
00:15:17,484 --> 00:15:18,750
[mark] you've got plenty
to work with.
428
00:15:18,785 --> 00:15:21,152
Other than your proof
being where it is,
429
00:15:21,187 --> 00:15:22,420
it's a good drink.
430
00:15:22,455 --> 00:15:23,888
It hits the nose
real pleasant.
431
00:15:23,924 --> 00:15:25,857
You got your sweet potatoes
in there,
432
00:15:25,892 --> 00:15:28,026
so I think you're gonna
have a good flavor profile.
433
00:15:28,061 --> 00:15:29,227
At the end of day,
you're gonna put
434
00:15:29,262 --> 00:15:30,662
something on the table
that these guys
435
00:15:30,697 --> 00:15:31,963
are gonna have to be
worried about.
436
00:15:31,998 --> 00:15:35,833
Scott, yours has got
of a special, uh,
437
00:15:35,869 --> 00:15:37,101
special nose on it.
438
00:15:37,137 --> 00:15:39,504
Tangy on the nose,
I like that.
439
00:15:39,539 --> 00:15:40,972
Pleasant taste, again,
440
00:15:41,007 --> 00:15:43,708
just a little low
alcohol content.
441
00:15:43,743 --> 00:15:45,576
But somewhere along the line
when you made that cut,
442
00:15:45,612 --> 00:15:47,011
I think you should
have picked up
443
00:15:47,047 --> 00:15:49,047
a little higher a jar for us.
It would've been clearer
444
00:15:49,082 --> 00:15:50,248
and a little bit
higher proof.
445
00:15:50,283 --> 00:15:51,950
So your proof
fell short, too.
446
00:15:51,985 --> 00:15:55,053
But again, you know,
this is just step one.
447
00:15:55,088 --> 00:15:56,287
[digger] that being said,
448
00:15:56,323 --> 00:15:59,023
tim's got you lined up here
of who gets to go
449
00:15:59,059 --> 00:16:00,458
to the stillhouse,
one, two, three.
450
00:16:00,493 --> 00:16:02,460
It was pretty easy.
Pretty simple.
451
00:16:02,495 --> 00:16:04,228
Uh, shawn you're number one.
452
00:16:04,264 --> 00:16:05,730
Scott, you're number two,
453
00:16:05,765 --> 00:16:07,432
and then thomas
you're number three.
454
00:16:07,467 --> 00:16:08,967
Tickle?
455
00:16:10,570 --> 00:16:11,436
You call me?
456
00:16:11,471 --> 00:16:13,805
Well, my buddy tickle
here standing by.
457
00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:16,040
-He's got his truck ready.
-All right, y'all,
458
00:16:16,076 --> 00:16:17,709
y'all ready to go
get some still parts?
459
00:16:17,744 --> 00:16:18,776
Yes, sir.
460
00:16:20,246 --> 00:16:21,879
We're taking your alcohol
away from you
461
00:16:21,915 --> 00:16:24,282
just for your
environment's sake.
462
00:16:24,317 --> 00:16:26,584
[jeremy]
in the 19th century,
463
00:16:26,619 --> 00:16:29,687
vodka made the leap
from home distilled remedy
464
00:16:29,723 --> 00:16:31,189
to world-renowned liquor
465
00:16:31,224 --> 00:16:33,458
with the invention
of the column still.
466
00:16:34,661 --> 00:16:37,662
While column stills
use fractional distillation
467
00:16:37,697 --> 00:16:40,498
to produce the clean,
high-proof commercial vodka
468
00:16:40,533 --> 00:16:42,367
we know today.
469
00:16:42,402 --> 00:16:46,371
Backwoods shiners rely
on thump kegs or doublers
470
00:16:46,406 --> 00:16:50,108
to further refine
their distillate.
471
00:16:50,143 --> 00:16:51,843
Using parts
from the stillhouse,
472
00:16:51,878 --> 00:16:53,211
contestants must choose
473
00:16:53,246 --> 00:16:55,580
between the classic
or modern method
474
00:16:55,615 --> 00:16:59,317
to purify their base spirit
into a classic vodka.
475
00:16:59,352 --> 00:17:00,685
And that's when I learned,
476
00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:03,588
never crank up belt sander
while holding a cat.
477
00:17:03,623 --> 00:17:05,857
-[laughter]
-okay. Gentleman,
478
00:17:05,892 --> 00:17:08,493
there's some mighty
interesting parts in there.
479
00:17:08,528 --> 00:17:09,494
Shawn, you're up first, right?
480
00:17:09,529 --> 00:17:10,628
Yes, sir.
481
00:17:10,663 --> 00:17:12,663
You got five minutes.
Head on in there.
482
00:17:12,699 --> 00:17:15,900
[shawn] I'm just doing
the same thing I always have.
483
00:17:15,935 --> 00:17:18,236
-Just a pot, thumper
and a worm.
-[tickle] two minutes left.
484
00:17:18,271 --> 00:17:20,471
If it ain't broke,
don't fix it.
485
00:17:23,043 --> 00:17:24,976
-Are you good?
-We'll find out.
486
00:17:25,011 --> 00:17:27,045
[tickle] all right, scott.
Three minutes.
487
00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:28,479
I wanna probably run
with a similar system,
488
00:17:28,515 --> 00:17:29,614
something I'm familiar with.
489
00:17:29,649 --> 00:17:31,416
I feel more comfortable
doing that.
490
00:17:31,451 --> 00:17:33,518
Using the other stuff
that's traditional,
491
00:17:33,553 --> 00:17:36,120
vodka stuff is not something
I've used,
492
00:17:36,156 --> 00:17:37,488
so I'm not really
comfortable with it.
493
00:17:37,524 --> 00:17:39,690
I don't wanna get something
and mess everything up.
494
00:17:39,726 --> 00:17:42,460
-[tickle] are you good?
-I think so.
495
00:17:42,495 --> 00:17:44,695
And then
we'll send thomas in.
496
00:17:44,731 --> 00:17:47,165
Three minutes, thomas.
Three minutes.
497
00:17:48,501 --> 00:17:50,034
[thomas] this column
might look
498
00:17:50,070 --> 00:17:51,269
a little bit
more complicated,
499
00:17:51,304 --> 00:17:53,704
but to me, it's easier
and less complex
500
00:17:53,740 --> 00:17:55,106
than what these guys
are running.
501
00:17:55,141 --> 00:17:56,574
Thirty seconds, thomas.
502
00:17:56,609 --> 00:17:58,743
If it was me, I'd be bringing
the stuff out.
503
00:18:00,146 --> 00:18:02,780
Ten seconds. Okay.
504
00:18:02,816 --> 00:18:03,781
It looks like you grabbed
505
00:18:03,817 --> 00:18:05,750
everything
and the kitchen sink.
506
00:18:05,785 --> 00:18:07,118
Great strategy.
507
00:18:07,153 --> 00:18:09,887
I believe I would've done
the same thing.
508
00:18:13,860 --> 00:18:15,293
-That's a pretty apparatus.
-[tim] yeah.
509
00:18:15,328 --> 00:18:16,961
[digger] all right, men,
it looks like everybody's
510
00:18:16,996 --> 00:18:19,197
got their still ready to go.
511
00:18:19,232 --> 00:18:21,365
We'll go straight
in to making some vodka.
512
00:18:21,434 --> 00:18:25,169
We want a good jar
with palatable proof
513
00:18:25,205 --> 00:18:28,139
on our table
in less than four hours.
514
00:18:28,174 --> 00:18:30,308
Time starts now.
515
00:18:30,343 --> 00:18:32,610
[jeremy]
for the elimination round,
516
00:18:32,645 --> 00:18:35,113
distillers will rerun
their base spirit
517
00:18:35,148 --> 00:18:37,515
to produce a clean
high-proof vodka
518
00:18:37,550 --> 00:18:39,617
with only
the subtlest flavors
519
00:18:39,652 --> 00:18:42,186
of their original
mash ingredients.
520
00:18:42,222 --> 00:18:44,522
Thomas' is the one
I'm excited to see.
521
00:18:44,557 --> 00:18:46,891
This column
that thomas has put on,
522
00:18:46,926 --> 00:18:49,060
it's got some extra plates
in it where it's gonna put
523
00:18:49,129 --> 00:18:50,161
a little bit more resistance
524
00:18:50,196 --> 00:18:52,163
in that alcohol vapor
traveling up.
525
00:18:52,198 --> 00:18:55,366
Every time it passes through
one them sight glasses,
his proof goes up.
526
00:18:55,401 --> 00:18:56,968
[tim] that's what
we're looking for actually.
527
00:18:57,003 --> 00:18:58,569
[digger] and then,
by the time it comes out,
528
00:18:58,605 --> 00:19:00,638
you're getting some
of the finest
high-proof vodka
529
00:19:00,673 --> 00:19:01,706
you can get out of there.
530
00:19:01,741 --> 00:19:03,107
That's a cadillac
right there.
531
00:19:03,143 --> 00:19:05,676
[dramatic music playing]
532
00:19:07,380 --> 00:19:08,880
[digger]
they've got to remember,
533
00:19:08,915 --> 00:19:11,382
they brought low-proof liquor
to the table last time.
534
00:19:11,417 --> 00:19:13,384
They got to get that proof up,
they got to learn
535
00:19:13,419 --> 00:19:14,952
to train that eye
at that bead.
536
00:19:14,988 --> 00:19:17,955
[shawn] yeah, I like to get
a little more pure, you know.
537
00:19:17,991 --> 00:19:19,790
I wouldn't mind dropping
about five points
538
00:19:19,826 --> 00:19:21,159
less than where I was at.
539
00:19:21,194 --> 00:19:24,462
Maybe put it at 85,
somewhere around there maybe.
540
00:19:25,999 --> 00:19:27,732
[tim]
thomas is going in over here.
541
00:19:27,767 --> 00:19:29,267
Strategy going in is
542
00:19:29,302 --> 00:19:30,768
now that I know the taste
is there,
543
00:19:30,803 --> 00:19:33,070
I can find focus on the proof.
544
00:19:33,106 --> 00:19:34,739
Need some help, bud?
545
00:19:34,774 --> 00:19:37,775
Uh, if you don't mind.
546
00:19:37,810 --> 00:19:40,111
[tim] I'm really excited
to see thomas run that still.
547
00:19:40,146 --> 00:19:42,580
Running that still right
there compared to these
548
00:19:42,615 --> 00:19:45,082
is like having
a turbo booster.
549
00:19:45,118 --> 00:19:46,684
-There you go.
-[tim] that is a still
550
00:19:46,719 --> 00:19:47,818
right there
that's gonna produce
551
00:19:47,854 --> 00:19:50,121
some real fine...
[continues indistinctly]
552
00:19:50,156 --> 00:19:53,558
[mark] scott's got some
good-looking mash left over
up there.
553
00:19:53,593 --> 00:19:55,726
Kind of had to run
pretty similar to what I did.
554
00:19:55,762 --> 00:19:58,095
I just kind of messed it up
a little bit proofing it.
555
00:19:58,131 --> 00:19:59,463
Proofing is correct though.
556
00:20:00,500 --> 00:20:01,165
Fire in the hole.
557
00:20:03,570 --> 00:20:05,469
[thomas] I wanna get
as high as a proof that I can,
558
00:20:05,505 --> 00:20:08,673
so trying to keep it in that
column as long as I can.
559
00:20:08,708 --> 00:20:11,776
-I'm at 140 already. Yeah.
-140?
560
00:20:11,811 --> 00:20:13,811
If I didn't know
any different,
I'd say you're in a hurry.
561
00:20:13,846 --> 00:20:15,213
[laughs]
562
00:20:15,248 --> 00:20:16,847
I mean, I barely got a flame.
563
00:20:16,883 --> 00:20:17,982
-Yeah.
-[shawn] you and me both.
564
00:20:18,017 --> 00:20:19,717
Yeah.
I'm about 120, so.
565
00:20:21,221 --> 00:20:22,620
Getting some in there.
566
00:20:22,655 --> 00:20:24,555
-Getting somewhere?
-Getting some drops.
567
00:20:24,591 --> 00:20:25,623
Really?
568
00:20:25,658 --> 00:20:27,191
Not a lot,
just a little bit.
569
00:20:27,227 --> 00:20:28,392
Temperature shot up
pretty quick.
570
00:20:28,428 --> 00:20:31,596
-Where you at?
-175.
571
00:20:31,631 --> 00:20:34,065
One-seventy-five? Holy.
572
00:20:35,435 --> 00:20:36,767
-Real clear.
-[jeremy] coming up...
573
00:20:36,803 --> 00:20:38,102
It hits the tongue hard.
574
00:20:38,137 --> 00:20:39,570
[jeremy] the finished vodka
575
00:20:39,606 --> 00:20:41,672
puts one distiller on ice.
576
00:20:41,708 --> 00:20:44,575
Buddy, that bought you
a jar of "take it home."
577
00:20:47,247 --> 00:20:48,446
[jeremy] a midwestern shiner,
578
00:20:48,481 --> 00:20:50,514
a young craft distiller,
579
00:20:50,550 --> 00:20:52,550
and a moonshining
school teacher
580
00:20:52,585 --> 00:20:54,285
are running a base spirit,
581
00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:57,655
the first distillation
of their own vodka recipe.
582
00:20:57,690 --> 00:20:58,923
-Where are you at?
-175.
583
00:20:58,958 --> 00:20:59,957
Holy.
584
00:20:59,993 --> 00:21:01,459
[jeremy]
the two with the cleanest
585
00:21:01,494 --> 00:21:04,729
high-proof jars will move on
to the final round.
586
00:21:06,866 --> 00:21:09,833
Kind of the differences
between my own personal setup
587
00:21:09,836 --> 00:21:11,402
and what I worked with
today are
588
00:21:11,437 --> 00:21:13,437
I don't have
as much sheer cooling
589
00:21:13,473 --> 00:21:15,673
that I do back at home.
590
00:21:15,708 --> 00:21:18,676
And the heat source
is definitely different.
591
00:21:18,711 --> 00:21:20,411
[jeremy] the pot needs
to be hot up enough
592
00:21:20,446 --> 00:21:22,713
for the alcohol vapors
to rise
593
00:21:22,749 --> 00:21:25,249
through each bubbler plate
in the column,
594
00:21:25,285 --> 00:21:27,685
but not so hot
that the vapors push through
595
00:21:27,720 --> 00:21:29,287
without the water condensing
596
00:21:29,322 --> 00:21:31,689
and falling back
into the pot.
597
00:21:37,463 --> 00:21:39,730
[thomas] I'm thinking about
letting this flame go out
for a few minutes.
598
00:21:39,766 --> 00:21:42,600
I don't stick to the norm,
I do my own thing.
599
00:21:42,635 --> 00:21:43,834
I mean,
my whole thing is
600
00:21:43,870 --> 00:21:45,836
you gotta risk it
to get the biscuits.
601
00:21:45,872 --> 00:21:47,972
I jumped up way too high,
602
00:21:48,007 --> 00:21:49,240
I need a timeout.
603
00:21:50,643 --> 00:21:52,910
-[shawn] oh, we got...
-[thomas] it's dripping.
604
00:21:52,945 --> 00:21:53,911
Hey, we got a drip.
605
00:21:53,946 --> 00:21:55,146
Just gonna fill this one
about halfway up
606
00:21:55,181 --> 00:21:56,347
and see what happens.
607
00:21:56,382 --> 00:21:57,948
Boy, I tell you,
that's clear though. I'm...
608
00:21:57,984 --> 00:21:59,583
Yeah?
609
00:21:59,619 --> 00:22:01,852
I guess it's kind of hard
not to be with that, uh...
610
00:22:01,888 --> 00:22:03,387
[laughs] my alien contraption?
611
00:22:05,158 --> 00:22:06,123
Okay.
612
00:22:06,159 --> 00:22:08,993
I'd say that's about
vodka status right there.
613
00:22:09,028 --> 00:22:11,195
I don't know if it's the corn
or the wheat in there
614
00:22:11,264 --> 00:22:12,830
that's pulling it.
615
00:22:12,865 --> 00:22:15,066
[digger] shawn's
collecting jars over there.
616
00:22:15,101 --> 00:22:16,267
It's probably
not ideal for me to try
617
00:22:16,302 --> 00:22:18,069
to move this table
with all these jars on there.
618
00:22:18,104 --> 00:22:20,538
-Oh, probably not.
-[shawn laughs]
619
00:22:20,573 --> 00:22:21,839
find a real fast way home,
620
00:22:21,874 --> 00:22:24,542
-if you know what I'm saying.
-[scott] yup.
621
00:22:24,577 --> 00:22:26,410
If I figured out
what the hell to do.
622
00:22:26,446 --> 00:22:28,479
[tim] and scott's got plenty
of jars over there, too.
623
00:22:28,514 --> 00:22:30,815
He got, uh, a bunch of
water bottles and stuff too.
624
00:22:30,850 --> 00:22:32,817
I believe
he's drinking them.
625
00:22:32,852 --> 00:22:35,386
-Drinking the water bottles?
-I believe so.
626
00:22:35,421 --> 00:22:37,421
[scott] these last two
or three I like a lot.
627
00:22:37,457 --> 00:22:39,223
What I think I'm gonna do
is practice tempering
628
00:22:39,258 --> 00:22:42,426
those first two
and then temper
the rest of them.
629
00:22:42,462 --> 00:22:44,995
I hope proofing
without a hydrometer
is like riding a bike.
630
00:22:45,031 --> 00:22:46,297
Now, that the first one's
out of my system,
631
00:22:46,332 --> 00:22:47,932
it'll be easier
for me here on out.
632
00:22:47,967 --> 00:22:49,467
You already got
yours done up?
633
00:22:49,502 --> 00:22:51,535
[thomas] no. Oh, no.
634
00:22:51,571 --> 00:22:53,504
Oh, no.
635
00:22:53,539 --> 00:22:55,873
You're not gonna add
a whole lot of water
to yours, are you?
636
00:22:55,908 --> 00:22:56,974
No. I'm just seeing
how it does.
637
00:22:57,009 --> 00:23:00,711
I put a little bit...
And see how it does.
638
00:23:00,747 --> 00:23:03,314
Ten minutes, boys.
639
00:23:03,349 --> 00:23:05,750
Better be putting
the finishing touches on 'em.
640
00:23:06,786 --> 00:23:07,885
When I'm tempering,
I just wanna use
641
00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:10,054
a little bit of water
at a time.
642
00:23:10,089 --> 00:23:12,156
That way, I'll know whether
or not it changes the color.
643
00:23:12,191 --> 00:23:14,392
You can always put more water
and you can't take none out.
644
00:23:14,427 --> 00:23:17,261
It's a good bead
right there.
645
00:23:17,296 --> 00:23:19,330
So I'd say
it's about right there
where I want it.
646
00:23:19,365 --> 00:23:21,565
Unfortunately, just need
a little bit more in there.
647
00:23:21,634 --> 00:23:24,402
You know the thing
about it is,
648
00:23:24,437 --> 00:23:26,270
what we're looking for here,
649
00:23:26,305 --> 00:23:28,272
I guess the best way
of saying it,
650
00:23:28,307 --> 00:23:30,775
-the least tasty liquor...
-The least tasty liquor.
651
00:23:32,512 --> 00:23:34,311
Well, we got one
ready to come up.
652
00:23:34,347 --> 00:23:37,047
[mark] yeah, I think thomas
is bringing it on up.
653
00:23:38,518 --> 00:23:40,050
-Is that it, thomas?
-That's the one.
654
00:23:40,086 --> 00:23:41,218
All right, buddy.
655
00:23:41,254 --> 00:23:44,088
We're down to less than
a minute, boys.
656
00:23:44,123 --> 00:23:45,856
Forty seconds.
657
00:23:45,892 --> 00:23:47,191
[mark] bring it in here,
big man.
658
00:23:47,226 --> 00:23:49,226
Here you go.
659
00:23:49,262 --> 00:23:50,928
A lot clearer than last time.
660
00:23:50,963 --> 00:23:52,163
Good luck to you, scott.
661
00:23:52,198 --> 00:23:54,098
Uh, this ain't gonna do it,
nothing will.
662
00:23:55,435 --> 00:23:57,134
Youse are cutting it close.
663
00:23:57,170 --> 00:23:58,769
-There you go.
-Yeah, we got
664
00:23:58,805 --> 00:24:01,105
a whole lot clearer jars
than we had the last time.
665
00:24:01,140 --> 00:24:04,975
Oh, yeah. Come on,
let's start with shawn.
666
00:24:05,011 --> 00:24:07,178
-Shawn.
-All right.
667
00:24:07,213 --> 00:24:08,679
-Look pretty clear.
-Maybe a little low
668
00:24:08,714 --> 00:24:10,381
but at least
mine's still clear...
669
00:24:10,416 --> 00:24:11,582
-For the most part.
-Yeah.
670
00:24:11,617 --> 00:24:12,917
Good-looking bead, though.
671
00:24:12,952 --> 00:24:15,186
I'd say
it's probably around 105.
672
00:24:16,789 --> 00:24:18,889
That set the bar
pretty high.
673
00:24:18,925 --> 00:24:20,991
I still taste
just a little of
the grain in it.
674
00:24:21,027 --> 00:24:22,092
Little grain it.
675
00:24:22,128 --> 00:24:24,628
But it's got this sweet note
from the sugar.
676
00:24:24,664 --> 00:24:26,597
I'm tasting something else
in there other than corn.
677
00:24:26,632 --> 00:24:28,999
Shawn is the one that
he said 70%
678
00:24:29,035 --> 00:24:30,801
of his grain build was wheat.
679
00:24:30,837 --> 00:24:32,636
Yeah, it's wheat.
You taste it, smell it too.
680
00:24:32,672 --> 00:24:34,371
It's got that dry
earthy taste.
681
00:24:34,407 --> 00:24:35,940
It's just like
straight moonshine.
682
00:24:35,975 --> 00:24:37,741
It's not... It's not
nowhere even close to vodka
683
00:24:37,777 --> 00:24:39,276
on my nose.
684
00:24:39,312 --> 00:24:41,579
-Well?
-This is thomas'.
685
00:24:41,614 --> 00:24:43,113
See, I can't even put
a number on it.
686
00:24:43,149 --> 00:24:44,782
I just think it's probably
687
00:24:44,817 --> 00:24:46,450
on the higher end
of that scale.
688
00:24:46,486 --> 00:24:48,686
Thomas' is
a little bit weaker.
689
00:24:48,721 --> 00:24:49,954
Yeah, it just goes.
690
00:24:49,989 --> 00:24:51,355
I was hoping for 100.
691
00:24:51,390 --> 00:24:53,123
[tim] maybe 80, 85.
692
00:24:53,159 --> 00:24:54,492
That ain't real weak.
693
00:24:54,527 --> 00:24:56,694
That's store-bought
liquor proof.
694
00:24:56,729 --> 00:24:58,229
Weak,
but it ain't horrible.
695
00:24:58,264 --> 00:25:00,197
A little bit better
than he was the last time.
696
00:25:00,233 --> 00:25:02,433
-[mark] yeah.
-It was a little spicy.
697
00:25:02,468 --> 00:25:04,268
-It's very spicy.
-Yeah.
698
00:25:04,303 --> 00:25:06,103
Sure he isn't puttin'
any rye in there?
699
00:25:06,138 --> 00:25:08,539
It hits the tongue hard
though, don't it?
700
00:25:08,574 --> 00:25:10,140
Yeah, right off
the gate, it does.
701
00:25:10,176 --> 00:25:11,575
It's just different.
702
00:25:11,611 --> 00:25:14,111
Then you get that
pepper note.
703
00:25:14,146 --> 00:25:17,014
Then that little bit
of that sweet potato.
704
00:25:17,049 --> 00:25:19,083
But it spreads out nice.
705
00:25:19,118 --> 00:25:20,985
He's coloring outside the box.
706
00:25:21,020 --> 00:25:24,054
And it's got a nose like
you'd expect from a vodka,
707
00:25:24,090 --> 00:25:27,124
more than shawn's does.
708
00:25:27,159 --> 00:25:28,926
Get us another
liquor over there, tim.
709
00:25:28,961 --> 00:25:30,194
All right. Here we go.
710
00:25:30,229 --> 00:25:31,595
We got a nice clear jar.
711
00:25:31,631 --> 00:25:33,898
I feel that my clarity was
a lot better than last time.
712
00:25:33,933 --> 00:25:36,033
I was making sure
it was gonna be
better than last time.
713
00:25:36,068 --> 00:25:37,134
-[tim] huh?
-[digger] indeed.
714
00:25:37,169 --> 00:25:38,869
That's a nice clear jar
right there.
715
00:25:38,905 --> 00:25:40,538
I was aiming
for about 95,
716
00:25:40,573 --> 00:25:42,106
but I may have overshot it
a lite bit.
717
00:25:42,141 --> 00:25:44,642
-[tim] good.
-That's 100, ain't it?
718
00:25:44,677 --> 00:25:46,644
He's pretty close to 100.
719
00:25:46,679 --> 00:25:48,579
Now, if the taste
carried over,
we'll be good.
720
00:25:51,450 --> 00:25:53,851
That smelled like home.
721
00:25:53,886 --> 00:25:55,286
[tim] yeah.
Now we're talking right here.
722
00:25:55,321 --> 00:25:57,187
-[mark] man, that's...
-I know where I'm at now.
723
00:25:57,223 --> 00:25:58,389
-I believe... I believe,
-oh, yeah.
724
00:25:58,424 --> 00:26:00,357
I believe I'm right there
with you, tim.
725
00:26:00,393 --> 00:26:01,825
Yeah, I know
where I'm at now.
726
00:26:01,861 --> 00:26:05,362
I was right there
when I got me a nose hit.
727
00:26:05,398 --> 00:26:07,498
Honestly, I think
that one sets the bar.
728
00:26:07,533 --> 00:26:10,134
-Yeah.
-Yeah. It just raised the bar.
729
00:26:10,169 --> 00:26:12,536
-Yeah, maybe shawn--
-scott just raised the bar.
730
00:26:12,572 --> 00:26:14,204
Proof is on it.
Taste is on it.
731
00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:16,607
Well, I wouldn't care
to sell a truckload of liquor
732
00:26:16,642 --> 00:26:17,608
that tastes like that.
733
00:26:17,643 --> 00:26:19,743
It would mix
with anything else
734
00:26:19,779 --> 00:26:21,211
in the world that you like.
735
00:26:21,247 --> 00:26:24,248
And this right here
is gonna get complicated.
736
00:26:25,551 --> 00:26:27,685
Thomas and shawn's have
made things complicated.
737
00:26:29,589 --> 00:26:32,590
Honestly, shawn's hits
my taste profile
738
00:26:32,625 --> 00:26:35,392
more than thomas's does,
739
00:26:35,428 --> 00:26:36,493
but...
740
00:26:38,097 --> 00:26:40,497
That's not to say
that I won't like thomas'.
741
00:26:40,533 --> 00:26:43,167
I think it just has
a mean bite to it.
742
00:26:43,202 --> 00:26:44,435
For the proof that it is,
743
00:26:44,470 --> 00:26:46,337
-that it's too fiery.
-Yeah, that's right.
744
00:26:46,372 --> 00:26:48,405
It's been run too fast,
I believe.
745
00:26:48,441 --> 00:26:50,641
Too hard to get it to come
through those plates.
746
00:26:50,676 --> 00:26:53,677
But that's what
he was saying, that
he runs this kind of steel,
747
00:26:53,713 --> 00:26:54,979
so he was trying to replicate
748
00:26:55,014 --> 00:26:56,714
his steel that he had at home.
749
00:26:56,749 --> 00:26:58,449
Just where
he boiled it hard
750
00:26:58,484 --> 00:26:59,984
and then
that temperature spiked.
751
00:27:00,019 --> 00:27:02,052
And he...
He cut it down, I think,
752
00:27:02,088 --> 00:27:03,687
and playing around
with the pot too long
753
00:27:03,723 --> 00:27:07,257
before it released any spirit.
754
00:27:07,293 --> 00:27:09,460
I mean,
with the equipment he used,
755
00:27:09,495 --> 00:27:11,028
you'd think there'd be
a cleaner taste.
756
00:27:12,698 --> 00:27:15,532
[jeremy] coming up,
the final round.
757
00:27:15,568 --> 00:27:16,667
You put no pepper in there.
758
00:27:16,702 --> 00:27:19,370
[jeremy] infused
with a special sampler.
759
00:27:19,405 --> 00:27:21,071
Hey, I'm sitting in on this.
760
00:27:23,809 --> 00:27:26,110
[jeremy] a young shiner,
an up-and-coming distiller
761
00:27:26,145 --> 00:27:28,979
and a teacher moonlighting
as a moonshiner
762
00:27:29,015 --> 00:27:30,514
have turned
in their best jars
763
00:27:30,549 --> 00:27:33,517
of their own original
vodka recipe.
764
00:27:33,552 --> 00:27:34,618
Welcome back, men.
765
00:27:34,654 --> 00:27:37,655
We had a tough deliberation
here.
766
00:27:37,690 --> 00:27:38,889
Now, shawn,
767
00:27:38,958 --> 00:27:42,826
that's a good moonshine
right there.
768
00:27:42,862 --> 00:27:45,896
Unfortunately,
we're looking for vodka,
769
00:27:45,931 --> 00:27:47,831
but still a good drink.
770
00:27:47,867 --> 00:27:50,434
Shawn, I'm tasting that earth,
771
00:27:50,469 --> 00:27:53,604
I'm tasting that wheat,
and, uh, myself,
772
00:27:53,639 --> 00:27:56,540
I think you should have
cut back on the wheat.
773
00:27:56,575 --> 00:27:59,910
Now, thomas, you know,
when looking for a vodka,
774
00:27:59,945 --> 00:28:02,046
sweet tater's probably
the place to start.
775
00:28:02,081 --> 00:28:04,214
It ain't a bad option
776
00:28:04,250 --> 00:28:05,783
but, uh, cooling the column
777
00:28:05,818 --> 00:28:07,985
I think has working
against you.
778
00:28:08,020 --> 00:28:11,588
Now, yours is a little bit
lower-proof again
779
00:28:11,624 --> 00:28:13,290
compared to
the other two guys.
780
00:28:13,325 --> 00:28:15,659
You know, you're in
the 80-something range there.
781
00:28:15,695 --> 00:28:17,061
Where the other guys,
they're closer
782
00:28:17,096 --> 00:28:18,062
to the 100 range.
783
00:28:18,097 --> 00:28:21,732
It was fiery, but now,
784
00:28:21,767 --> 00:28:24,101
for my taste,
it's a excellent,
785
00:28:24,136 --> 00:28:25,903
excellent blending
of the grain
786
00:28:25,938 --> 00:28:27,504
and the sweet potato.
787
00:28:27,540 --> 00:28:29,239
And, uh, scott over here,
788
00:28:30,609 --> 00:28:32,743
there ain't a whole lot
I can say here, brother.
789
00:28:34,013 --> 00:28:35,679
You knocked that out the park.
790
00:28:35,715 --> 00:28:37,514
Now, unfortunately, you know,
791
00:28:37,550 --> 00:28:38,882
someone's gonna go home today.
792
00:28:38,918 --> 00:28:41,151
Shawn, you just...
793
00:28:41,187 --> 00:28:44,955
I believe you brought
too much grain to the...
To the game
794
00:28:44,990 --> 00:28:47,925
too early here,
and yet you got it out, yeah.
795
00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:49,093
That's what we're looking for.
796
00:28:49,128 --> 00:28:52,262
And thomas, um,
you know, just...
797
00:28:52,298 --> 00:28:55,099
I think that cooling
was your holdup here.
798
00:28:55,134 --> 00:28:57,367
I think it handicapped
you pretty decent.
799
00:28:57,403 --> 00:28:59,536
But I get
where you're coming from.
800
00:28:59,572 --> 00:29:01,238
When you say something
looks familiar, you...
801
00:29:01,273 --> 00:29:03,707
-Right.
-You gravitate right to it.
802
00:29:03,743 --> 00:29:06,076
And, uh, unfortunately, buddy,
803
00:29:06,112 --> 00:29:09,046
that bought you
a jar of "take it home."
804
00:29:09,081 --> 00:29:10,948
-all right.
-Sorry, old buddy.
805
00:29:11,650 --> 00:29:12,449
All right.
806
00:29:12,485 --> 00:29:13,450
[mark] thomas, before you go,
807
00:29:13,486 --> 00:29:14,785
can I ask you something,
please?
808
00:29:14,820 --> 00:29:15,919
-Yeah.
-Do me a favor,
809
00:29:15,955 --> 00:29:18,455
when you get back home
on your equipment,
810
00:29:18,491 --> 00:29:20,157
and you get
your chiller working,
811
00:29:20,192 --> 00:29:22,292
send me a damn drink
of your vodka
812
00:29:22,328 --> 00:29:23,761
because I'd be honored
to taste it.
813
00:29:23,796 --> 00:29:25,095
You got it.
814
00:29:25,131 --> 00:29:26,864
The encouraging
uplifting words
815
00:29:26,899 --> 00:29:32,803
definitely helped make me feel
not so disappointed.
816
00:29:32,838 --> 00:29:35,773
-Well, thank you all.
-It's been an honor
to meet you.
817
00:29:35,808 --> 00:29:38,108
[tim] now boys, y'all
got tighten up now.
818
00:29:38,144 --> 00:29:39,676
[digger] all right, boys,
you know what to do.
819
00:29:39,712 --> 00:29:41,145
You got to
button everything up
and get ready
820
00:29:41,180 --> 00:29:43,013
for that next run.
821
00:29:43,048 --> 00:29:44,481
You're gonna make us
some flavored vodka.
822
00:29:44,517 --> 00:29:46,683
[jeremy] in recent years,
823
00:29:46,719 --> 00:29:48,852
distillers have turned
traditional vodkas
824
00:29:48,888 --> 00:29:51,855
flavorless reputation
on its head,
825
00:29:51,891 --> 00:29:55,125
adding complex combinations
of fruits, vegetables,
826
00:29:55,161 --> 00:29:58,095
and spices
during distillation,
827
00:29:58,130 --> 00:29:59,997
and bringing
fresh takes on vodka
828
00:30:00,032 --> 00:30:02,866
to a saturated market.
829
00:30:02,902 --> 00:30:05,536
These versatile,
modern infusions can reduce
830
00:30:05,571 --> 00:30:08,372
the number of ingredients
needed for a mixed drink
831
00:30:08,407 --> 00:30:10,774
or be deluded
with tonic water
832
00:30:10,810 --> 00:30:14,044
to create a cocktail
on their own.
833
00:30:14,079 --> 00:30:15,979
Using their
traditional vodka
834
00:30:16,015 --> 00:30:17,614
and any distill
that collected
835
00:30:17,650 --> 00:30:19,416
from the first rounds,
836
00:30:19,451 --> 00:30:21,952
distillers will run
their own original
837
00:30:21,987 --> 00:30:24,988
infused vodka recipes
that must complement,
838
00:30:25,024 --> 00:30:28,091
not overwhelm
the base spirit.
839
00:30:28,127 --> 00:30:29,526
All right, boys.
840
00:30:29,562 --> 00:30:32,462
Infused vodka.
841
00:30:32,498 --> 00:30:34,832
Clear jars.
We don't want no mix drink.
842
00:30:34,867 --> 00:30:36,834
We wanted infused
in that still.
843
00:30:37,703 --> 00:30:39,837
Four hours is all you got.
844
00:30:39,872 --> 00:30:42,539
That's plenty of time
to bring us one good jar.
845
00:30:42,575 --> 00:30:44,208
[tim] I'm gonna give you
a little advice.
846
00:30:44,243 --> 00:30:47,177
Be careful because you can
have some fruits
847
00:30:47,213 --> 00:30:49,413
or vegetables
contradict each other
848
00:30:49,448 --> 00:30:50,480
and you come out
with something
849
00:30:50,516 --> 00:30:51,782
that doesn't taste good.
850
00:30:51,817 --> 00:30:54,551
And, uh,
at the end of the day,
851
00:30:54,587 --> 00:30:57,621
one of you guys is
gonna be a master distiller.
852
00:30:57,656 --> 00:30:59,723
Big-time right here.
853
00:30:59,758 --> 00:31:02,492
Shawn,
if scott brings that same jar,
854
00:31:02,528 --> 00:31:04,294
just improved its flavor,
855
00:31:04,330 --> 00:31:06,096
you better have your
big-kid britches on, buddy.
856
00:31:06,131 --> 00:31:07,164
Because I'm tellin' you,
we...
857
00:31:07,199 --> 00:31:08,265
We'll know
at the end of this day
858
00:31:08,334 --> 00:31:09,700
whether he meant to do that
859
00:31:09,735 --> 00:31:11,268
or if it was just a fluke.
860
00:31:12,104 --> 00:31:13,270
So here we go.
861
00:31:13,305 --> 00:31:15,105
Four hours, time starts now.
862
00:31:15,140 --> 00:31:16,540
Let's go, dude.
863
00:31:16,575 --> 00:31:17,507
Yes, sir.
864
00:31:20,246 --> 00:31:22,813
This is gonna be a really
interesting challenge.
865
00:31:22,848 --> 00:31:25,682
I would like to have
a little more mash though.
866
00:31:25,718 --> 00:31:27,084
Oh, I ain't touching
my mash today.
867
00:31:27,119 --> 00:31:28,752
You getting into yours?
868
00:31:28,787 --> 00:31:29,853
Just a little.
869
00:31:29,889 --> 00:31:30,988
I want no part of it.
870
00:31:31,023 --> 00:31:33,323
Scott brung a great jar
last round,
871
00:31:33,359 --> 00:31:35,592
but with infusing flavors
in the thumper,
872
00:31:35,628 --> 00:31:38,795
to carry over flavors,
that's my thing.
873
00:31:38,831 --> 00:31:40,664
There goes shawn's
distilling in.
874
00:31:42,134 --> 00:31:44,635
Shawn adding a little bit
of water, not too much.
875
00:31:44,703 --> 00:31:47,471
[tim] scott is using mash
in the distillant,
876
00:31:47,506 --> 00:31:49,339
and he's gonna infuse
with some kind of fruit.
877
00:31:49,375 --> 00:31:50,841
For an infusion run,
878
00:31:50,876 --> 00:31:53,777
I don't think I'd use
any more mash, but...
879
00:31:53,812 --> 00:31:55,445
-It might play out.
-[tim] I think he's just
880
00:31:55,481 --> 00:31:57,281
trying to get a little bit
more alcohol content,
881
00:31:57,316 --> 00:31:59,416
so he has something
to play with.
882
00:31:59,451 --> 00:32:01,251
What's scott pouring in there?
883
00:32:01,287 --> 00:32:02,452
[mark] oh, that's mash, yeah,
884
00:32:02,488 --> 00:32:04,721
-he's pouring in mash.
-Yeah.
885
00:32:04,757 --> 00:32:06,189
But he's just pouring in
on that.
886
00:32:06,225 --> 00:32:08,158
[digger] I'd put my fruit
in there with nothing
887
00:32:08,193 --> 00:32:09,126
but straight liquor.
888
00:32:11,196 --> 00:32:13,730
I don't know that they've
got enough to sacrifice.
889
00:32:15,534 --> 00:32:17,167
Well, it looks like
scott's chopping up
890
00:32:17,202 --> 00:32:19,136
some fresh pineapple.
891
00:32:19,171 --> 00:32:20,537
Yeah. I can smell it, boys.
892
00:32:20,572 --> 00:32:22,072
It's dead-ripe, too.
893
00:32:22,107 --> 00:32:23,807
[tim] why don't you
bring us a slice of that?
894
00:32:23,842 --> 00:32:26,043
[scott] oh, I have something
with a little bit of pepper
895
00:32:26,078 --> 00:32:28,512
on the back end,
so you get that sweetness,
896
00:32:28,547 --> 00:32:31,181
then a little bit of burn
on the back end.
897
00:32:31,216 --> 00:32:32,649
I like a little bit of spice
898
00:32:32,685 --> 00:32:35,385
but everybody does it,
so it's a big risk.
899
00:32:35,421 --> 00:32:37,621
[shawn]
I'm comfortable more so
900
00:32:37,656 --> 00:32:39,489
with artificial flavorings
901
00:32:39,525 --> 00:32:41,758
than I am actually
smashing up berries.
902
00:32:41,794 --> 00:32:43,727
You know, add a little sugar,
sweeten it up.
903
00:32:43,762 --> 00:32:45,095
But, I mean,
at the end of the day, man,
904
00:32:45,130 --> 00:32:47,097
it's a...
It's a ballgame.
905
00:32:47,132 --> 00:32:48,899
You know,
and I'm in it to win it.
906
00:32:48,934 --> 00:32:50,300
[tim] shawn,
what ya mixing up over there?
907
00:32:50,336 --> 00:32:52,369
It look like you're making
a bread or something.
908
00:32:52,404 --> 00:32:53,804
I'm just getting all the juice
909
00:32:53,839 --> 00:32:55,539
and everything
out of the fruit.
910
00:32:55,574 --> 00:32:57,174
Yeah. What kind of fruit
you got in there?
911
00:32:57,209 --> 00:32:58,375
Uh, strawberry,
912
00:32:58,444 --> 00:32:59,876
added a little bit
of raspberry to it.
913
00:32:59,912 --> 00:33:02,379
I don't know
how that's gonna come out.
914
00:33:04,683 --> 00:33:07,117
Now, did he drop that bag
down in there or hang it?
915
00:33:07,152 --> 00:33:09,252
-He just dropped it.
-[mark] he just dropped it
in there?
916
00:33:09,288 --> 00:33:12,456
And then tied it up
really good and dropped it.
917
00:33:12,491 --> 00:33:14,124
Pure honey right here.
918
00:33:14,159 --> 00:33:16,026
See how it compliments it,
and maybe...
919
00:33:16,061 --> 00:33:18,962
Sweetens up instead
of using actual sugar.
920
00:33:18,998 --> 00:33:20,230
[digger] here we go.
Watch this.
921
00:33:20,265 --> 00:33:22,099
There's that
reserve jar of liquor.
922
00:33:22,134 --> 00:33:23,467
Oh, lord.
923
00:33:23,502 --> 00:33:24,801
[digger] that's gonna bring
the flavor,
924
00:33:24,837 --> 00:33:26,436
I promise you.
925
00:33:26,472 --> 00:33:27,871
[scott] have you put your bag
in your thumper?
926
00:33:27,906 --> 00:33:29,106
I'm not.
927
00:33:29,141 --> 00:33:31,074
I'm fruiting in the bottom.
928
00:33:31,110 --> 00:33:32,776
I put it in...
I put one in each.
929
00:33:32,811 --> 00:33:34,678
-Did you?
-Yeah.
930
00:33:34,713 --> 00:33:39,216
Well...
I've ran a thumper before
and I put my mash in it.
931
00:33:39,251 --> 00:33:42,819
I don't...
I don't, uh, hang it.
932
00:33:42,855 --> 00:33:44,654
Whether or not that works...
933
00:33:46,925 --> 00:33:50,427
All right,
the waiting game begins.
934
00:33:50,462 --> 00:33:52,863
[mark] well, there goes all
of shawn's mix.
935
00:33:52,898 --> 00:33:55,432
[tim] shawn's putting all
the soup in his thumper.
936
00:33:55,467 --> 00:33:56,666
[mark] yeah.
937
00:33:56,702 --> 00:34:00,003
I don't think
that's a bad move.
938
00:34:00,039 --> 00:34:01,371
Hell, the way he mixed it up,
939
00:34:01,407 --> 00:34:03,140
he's wanting the juice
out of it anyway.
940
00:34:04,810 --> 00:34:06,143
Yeah, boy.
941
00:34:06,178 --> 00:34:08,245
I tell you, man.
I'm gonna run this thing
as slow as I possibly can.
942
00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:10,347
Yeah. Yeah, about 110.
943
00:34:10,382 --> 00:34:11,882
But I started it
before you, too.
944
00:34:11,917 --> 00:34:14,151
Well, I ain't got
nothin' but
liquor and water in there.
945
00:34:14,186 --> 00:34:16,086
[scott] oh, yeah.
946
00:34:16,121 --> 00:34:17,487
Preparing the captain's chair.
947
00:34:17,523 --> 00:34:19,456
-The captain's chair?
-Yeah.
948
00:34:19,491 --> 00:34:21,191
Well,
don't take this the wrong way,
949
00:34:21,226 --> 00:34:23,293
but I hope
it's the loser's chair.
950
00:34:25,030 --> 00:34:26,596
You're two hours
into your run.
951
00:34:26,632 --> 00:34:28,465
You're halfway there.
952
00:34:28,534 --> 00:34:30,801
[scott] I'm worried
about that vanilla though.
953
00:34:30,836 --> 00:34:32,069
What do you think?
It's gonna be too much?
954
00:34:32,104 --> 00:34:33,537
Yeah.
955
00:34:34,540 --> 00:34:35,806
Hey, man, you're dripping.
956
00:34:35,841 --> 00:34:37,207
Oh, [bleep].
957
00:34:39,778 --> 00:34:41,211
Little bit of
that carry over.
958
00:34:41,246 --> 00:34:42,546
I'm gonna buff it up
just a hair.
959
00:34:42,581 --> 00:34:44,448
Well, I think, you know,
between both of these guys
960
00:34:44,483 --> 00:34:45,949
we're gonna get something
totally different.
961
00:34:46,618 --> 00:34:47,818
[shawn] come on.
962
00:34:47,853 --> 00:34:49,386
The little still that could.
963
00:34:49,421 --> 00:34:50,554
The little still that could.
964
00:34:50,589 --> 00:34:52,489
[scott laughing]
965
00:34:52,524 --> 00:34:54,091
[tim] the unfortunate part
of this is
966
00:34:54,126 --> 00:34:55,425
one of them
is going home.
967
00:34:58,931 --> 00:35:00,464
[tim] moonshiners are about
the most knowledgeable
968
00:35:00,499 --> 00:35:02,065
-guys I know.
-They're predecessors.
969
00:35:02,101 --> 00:35:03,633
They were chemists
and didn't know it.
970
00:35:03,669 --> 00:35:07,337
Popcorn sutton told me
if I had
a stalled fermentation,
971
00:35:07,372 --> 00:35:09,639
go get me some fresh
horse turds
972
00:35:09,675 --> 00:35:11,741
and put them in a tow sack
and sink it
973
00:35:11,777 --> 00:35:13,443
to the bottom
of my mash barrel.
974
00:35:13,479 --> 00:35:14,778
And he said it will take off.
975
00:35:14,813 --> 00:35:16,179
[man] I learned from the best.
976
00:35:16,215 --> 00:35:18,515
I ain't into bragging
or nothin',
but you damn sure did.
977
00:35:18,550 --> 00:35:20,317
[digger] all that was good.
He was putting ammonia
978
00:35:20,352 --> 00:35:22,586
and nitrogenous waste
and feeding the yeast
979
00:35:22,621 --> 00:35:25,655
and making it take off,
but he didn't know that.
980
00:35:25,691 --> 00:35:29,392
Popcorn is as any
semi-intelligent person,
981
00:35:29,428 --> 00:35:30,727
"my mash has quit working,
982
00:35:30,762 --> 00:35:32,562
I think I'll put
horse crap in it."
983
00:35:35,734 --> 00:35:36,733
[digger] here we go.
984
00:35:36,768 --> 00:35:37,767
He got a little drip.
985
00:35:37,803 --> 00:35:39,369
[jeremy] a mid-western shiner
986
00:35:39,404 --> 00:35:41,071
and a moonshining teacher
987
00:35:41,106 --> 00:35:42,305
are going all in
988
00:35:42,374 --> 00:35:45,142
on a run of their signature
infused vodka...
989
00:35:45,177 --> 00:35:47,344
Fifteen minutes
left in your run.
990
00:35:47,379 --> 00:35:50,680
[jeremy] ...For the title
of master distiller.
991
00:35:50,716 --> 00:35:53,083
Their imagination
is the limit.
992
00:35:53,118 --> 00:35:55,652
[digger] but you're limited
to your market.
993
00:35:55,687 --> 00:35:57,387
-[scott] hot? I told you.
-Yeah.
994
00:35:57,422 --> 00:36:00,223
Besides the
150, 60 proof that still is.
995
00:36:03,695 --> 00:36:06,029
Yeah, I'm gonna dumb
that down a little bit,
see what happens.
996
00:36:06,064 --> 00:36:07,063
You think you'll have enough?
997
00:36:07,099 --> 00:36:08,798
Yeah, I think so.
I got...
998
00:36:08,834 --> 00:36:10,901
Once I pull this jar
right here,
I think I'll be good.
999
00:36:10,936 --> 00:36:12,202
[shawn] still get vanilla
and pineapple.
1000
00:36:12,237 --> 00:36:14,070
That pepper really got in.
1001
00:36:14,873 --> 00:36:16,173
My opinion,
what it boils down to,
1002
00:36:16,208 --> 00:36:17,407
is how they like the heat
1003
00:36:17,442 --> 00:36:19,275
when it hits the tongue
from the peppers.
1004
00:36:19,278 --> 00:36:21,211
Most people like berries.
1005
00:36:21,246 --> 00:36:24,381
You know, so I don't
wanna say I played it safe.
1006
00:36:24,416 --> 00:36:26,650
But I played it safe.
1007
00:36:26,685 --> 00:36:28,318
How do you feel about
the taste?
1008
00:36:28,353 --> 00:36:30,287
-Is it there?
-I think it is.
1009
00:36:33,125 --> 00:36:34,257
We'll see.
1010
00:36:34,293 --> 00:36:36,193
I'm afraid to add water to it.
1011
00:36:36,929 --> 00:36:38,895
Anxious over there...
1012
00:36:38,931 --> 00:36:41,198
And overconfident.
1013
00:36:41,233 --> 00:36:42,699
They're about right on.
1014
00:36:42,734 --> 00:36:43,934
[mark] uh, I mean,
they're getting down
1015
00:36:43,969 --> 00:36:45,502
to their
last few minutes here.
1016
00:36:45,537 --> 00:36:48,405
There she is, boys.
1017
00:36:48,440 --> 00:36:50,340
Here come big man.
1018
00:36:50,375 --> 00:36:51,608
-It's pretty and clear.
-There's one.
1019
00:36:51,643 --> 00:36:52,776
Good luck, scott.
1020
00:36:52,811 --> 00:36:54,511
-Good luck, buddy.
-Thank you, all.
1021
00:36:54,546 --> 00:36:56,112
-All right.
-Nice jar.
1022
00:36:56,147 --> 00:36:57,981
-We'll see.
-All right.
1023
00:36:58,016 --> 00:37:00,884
[tim] good, pretty jar.
Good luck.
1024
00:37:00,919 --> 00:37:03,386
-Ready?
-Get busy.
1025
00:37:03,422 --> 00:37:04,554
They looked pretty clear,
don't they?
1026
00:37:04,590 --> 00:37:05,855
That's really clear.
1027
00:37:05,891 --> 00:37:07,023
Hey, what are y'all doing?
1028
00:37:07,059 --> 00:37:08,124
Getting ready to take a drink.
1029
00:37:08,160 --> 00:37:09,459
I'm sitting in on this.
1030
00:37:09,494 --> 00:37:11,795
[tim] I'm glad
you was passing by.
1031
00:37:11,830 --> 00:37:13,930
You just kind of
invited yourself in, huh?
1032
00:37:13,966 --> 00:37:15,899
As long as we don't have
to drink after you,
1033
00:37:15,934 --> 00:37:18,001
-I'm good with it.
-[tim] uh, yeah.
1034
00:37:18,036 --> 00:37:20,070
All right. We're gonna
taste shawn's here.
1035
00:37:20,105 --> 00:37:21,838
I'm worried about
the flavor, you know.
1036
00:37:21,873 --> 00:37:23,640
[mark] it's light
on the nose.
1037
00:37:23,675 --> 00:37:25,141
It is light on the nose.
1038
00:37:25,177 --> 00:37:27,310
It is also a vodka run,
so it should be.
1039
00:37:27,346 --> 00:37:29,512
-Wow.
-I didn't use mash this round.
1040
00:37:29,548 --> 00:37:31,848
-Maybe I should have. I...
-Yeah.
1041
00:37:31,883 --> 00:37:33,116
Yeah. You don't ever know.
1042
00:37:33,151 --> 00:37:35,218
[digger] got a little
berry essence in there.
1043
00:37:35,254 --> 00:37:36,353
Got a little dryness taste.
1044
00:37:36,388 --> 00:37:39,189
You could build you
a fruit juice cocktail
on that.
1045
00:37:39,224 --> 00:37:40,991
-[tickle] yeah.
But it's smooth.
-All in all.
1046
00:37:41,026 --> 00:37:42,993
The heat I'm getting
is coming in afterwards.
1047
00:37:43,028 --> 00:37:45,128
Yeah.
This vodka right here
1048
00:37:45,163 --> 00:37:46,796
would mix well
with a lot of stuff.
1049
00:37:46,832 --> 00:37:48,465
[tim] oh, it's nothing wrong
with it.
1050
00:37:48,500 --> 00:37:49,733
-No.
-It's drinking
like a cocktail.
1051
00:37:49,768 --> 00:37:51,034
Very light.
1052
00:37:51,069 --> 00:37:52,369
It's light on the nose
1053
00:37:52,404 --> 00:37:54,137
and the berries are light
on the taste.
1054
00:37:54,172 --> 00:37:55,305
-Yeah.
-Yeah.
1055
00:37:55,340 --> 00:37:56,539
-It's a good drink.
-It's good.
1056
00:37:56,575 --> 00:37:58,308
It's just not really
what I expected.
1057
00:37:58,343 --> 00:38:01,144
You usually have to choose
one or the other.
1058
00:38:01,179 --> 00:38:03,980
The flavor profile
or the alcohol.
1059
00:38:04,016 --> 00:38:06,316
And I think he did
a good job of working
1060
00:38:06,351 --> 00:38:08,351
with something unfamiliar
1061
00:38:08,387 --> 00:38:11,154
and marrying it together
to make a pretty decent drink.
1062
00:38:11,189 --> 00:38:13,690
Yeah.
Let's move on to scott.
1063
00:38:13,725 --> 00:38:15,592
I turned in a clear jar
1064
00:38:15,627 --> 00:38:16,660
that had a good nose.
1065
00:38:16,695 --> 00:38:18,128
I think I'm close
to the proof.
1066
00:38:18,163 --> 00:38:19,929
Other than that,
I don't know about the taste.
1067
00:38:19,965 --> 00:38:21,431
It's got some pineapple.
1068
00:38:21,466 --> 00:38:23,566
It's got a real
pleasant nose on it.
1069
00:38:23,602 --> 00:38:25,568
[scott] definitely got
the pineapple smell
1070
00:38:25,604 --> 00:38:26,936
and the vanilla.
1071
00:38:26,972 --> 00:38:29,172
The pepper didn't really
come through, I don't think
on mine.
1072
00:38:29,207 --> 00:38:30,940
-Wow.
-[tim] oh, taste that...
1073
00:38:30,976 --> 00:38:32,042
It's in there.
1074
00:38:32,077 --> 00:38:35,278
That pineapple initially
is so good.
1075
00:38:35,314 --> 00:38:36,613
-It really is.
-Yeah.
1076
00:38:36,648 --> 00:38:38,548
I'm getting pineapple
on the front,
1077
00:38:38,583 --> 00:38:39,849
and then, like, the pepper
in the middle.
1078
00:38:39,885 --> 00:38:43,486
I think scott's jar
could be labeled as
1079
00:38:43,522 --> 00:38:45,488
a perfect bloody mary vodka.
1080
00:38:45,524 --> 00:38:48,725
Which is gonna limit
your target market.
1081
00:38:48,760 --> 00:38:51,027
He knows
what he's doing.
1082
00:38:51,063 --> 00:38:53,697
He could have complemented
this vodka
1083
00:38:53,732 --> 00:38:55,332
so many different ways.
1084
00:38:55,367 --> 00:38:57,267
All righty.
1085
00:38:57,302 --> 00:39:00,904
[dramatic music playing]
1086
00:39:03,642 --> 00:39:05,608
[digger] men, welcome back.
1087
00:39:05,644 --> 00:39:07,510
You know, we've got
to think about things
1088
00:39:07,546 --> 00:39:08,745
on the broad spectrum.
1089
00:39:08,780 --> 00:39:10,180
We got to look at
1090
00:39:10,215 --> 00:39:11,715
can we sell
a little bit of this,
1091
00:39:11,750 --> 00:39:14,951
or can we sell a lot of it,
or will it not sell at all?
1092
00:39:14,986 --> 00:39:17,387
That makes it
tough sometimes.
1093
00:39:17,422 --> 00:39:19,756
We had a really
tough decision on this.
1094
00:39:19,791 --> 00:39:21,791
These are kind of
two opposite ends
1095
00:39:21,827 --> 00:39:25,528
of the spectrum
and they're both good.
1096
00:39:25,564 --> 00:39:28,665
Well, shawn, it's a little
light on the nose.
1097
00:39:28,700 --> 00:39:32,035
But that is what I expect
out of a vodka.
1098
00:39:32,070 --> 00:39:35,171
Overall, it's a...
It's a good drink.
1099
00:39:35,207 --> 00:39:39,075
Well, shawn,
yours looks good, taste good,
1100
00:39:39,111 --> 00:39:41,378
proof-wise,
you did good on the proof.
1101
00:39:41,413 --> 00:39:42,512
Thank you.
1102
00:39:42,547 --> 00:39:44,948
Well, I don't wanna tell
either one it's nothing.
1103
00:39:44,983 --> 00:39:47,317
Both of you guys,
super clear job.
1104
00:39:47,352 --> 00:39:50,120
Your flavor profile...
1105
00:39:50,155 --> 00:39:53,523
Is more mixable
1106
00:39:53,558 --> 00:39:56,259
with different mixers.
1107
00:39:56,328 --> 00:40:00,330
Scott...
Clears you on the table.
1108
00:40:00,365 --> 00:40:03,099
The last challenge
was a perfect jar,
1109
00:40:03,135 --> 00:40:06,736
but those peppers.
It does taste good.
1110
00:40:06,772 --> 00:40:09,539
I just couldn't drink much
of it.
1111
00:40:09,574 --> 00:40:11,207
I love pepper.
1112
00:40:11,243 --> 00:40:13,676
Initially, that pineapple,
man, takes your head off,
1113
00:40:13,712 --> 00:40:15,412
it's so good.
1114
00:40:15,447 --> 00:40:18,982
But I think in the big
scheme of things,
1115
00:40:19,017 --> 00:40:22,819
yours, if it could be labeled,
it would be the finest
1116
00:40:22,854 --> 00:40:25,722
bloody mary vodka
in existence.
1117
00:40:25,757 --> 00:40:27,223
Honestly, I think it would.
1118
00:40:27,259 --> 00:40:29,459
But, and part of our job,
1119
00:40:29,494 --> 00:40:30,994
we have to consider
1120
00:40:31,029 --> 00:40:32,695
the marketability of it.
1121
00:40:34,065 --> 00:40:36,266
Now we got two
fine drinks right there,
1122
00:40:36,301 --> 00:40:39,202
but there can only be one
master distiller.
1123
00:40:40,405 --> 00:40:41,738
And, shawn,
1124
00:40:42,908 --> 00:40:44,874
you're the next
master distiller, buddy.
1125
00:40:44,910 --> 00:40:46,342
-Congratulations.
-Thank you.
1126
00:40:46,378 --> 00:40:47,377
Winning master distiller
1127
00:40:47,412 --> 00:40:48,945
is gonna change my life
dramatically.
1128
00:40:48,980 --> 00:40:50,413
I'd like to open
my own distillery someday.
1129
00:40:50,449 --> 00:40:51,748
People now know what I do.
1130
00:40:51,783 --> 00:40:54,717
And, well, I guess
they're gonna know
that I'm good at it.
1131
00:40:54,753 --> 00:40:55,952
I feel like my family had
a little bit
1132
00:40:55,987 --> 00:40:57,654
more confidence in me
than I did.
1133
00:40:57,689 --> 00:41:00,924
So they'll be happy to know
that I won. [laughs]
1134
00:41:00,959 --> 00:41:02,759
scott, you made a damn
fine showing.
1135
00:41:02,794 --> 00:41:05,028
[scott] I was taking a chance
on using peppers in there.
1136
00:41:05,063 --> 00:41:07,297
It was a big risk
and it just didn't pay off.
1137
00:41:07,332 --> 00:41:08,765
I learned a lot
through the process.
1138
00:41:08,800 --> 00:41:10,099
Pat yourselves
on the back,
1139
00:41:10,101 --> 00:41:11,334
y'all did a damn fine job.
1140
00:41:11,369 --> 00:41:13,736
-[tim] thank you, guys.
-Thanks.
1141
00:41:15,040 --> 00:41:17,006
[jeremy] next time
on master distiller.
1142
00:41:17,042 --> 00:41:18,775
You got anything that
look like that, digger?
1143
00:41:18,810 --> 00:41:20,109
No, we wanna make
good liquor.
1144
00:41:20,145 --> 00:41:21,911
[jeremy] the judges
are on the other side
1145
00:41:21,947 --> 00:41:24,113
-of the table...
-Tim's using a t-shirt.
1146
00:41:24,149 --> 00:41:26,349
[jeremy] ...In a rematch
to settle the score
1147
00:41:26,384 --> 00:41:28,918
for the ultimate
bragging rights.
1148
00:41:28,954 --> 00:41:31,421
I am 100% confident
in that jar.
1149
00:41:31,456 --> 00:41:33,890
Sound like a whole lot
of bull [bleep] to me.