Ep 15. Tennessee Royalty

In this episode of Moonshiners season 11, titled "Tennessee Royalty," viewers are taken to the heart of the Appalachian Mountains where men and women are hard at work producing some of the finest moonshine in the land. This episode focuses on two particular moonshiners - Roy - the self-proclaimed "Moonshine King of Appalachia" and his son-in-law, Nate.

Roy is a seasoned veteran in the moonshining world and has been making high-quality shine for over 40 years. In this episode, he takes us through his process of making his famous shine, which he says is the key to his success. He starts by taking us to the heart of his distillery and shows us all the equipment he has used over the years. From the still to the fermentation tanks to the barrels, Roy has it all.

As Roy works on his latest batch of shine, he talks about the challenges he has faced over the years. He admits that he has been arrested a few times, but he says that he has never stopped making moonshine. Despite the risks, Roy is determined to keep producing the finest moonshine he can.

Meanwhile, Nate is a relative newcomer to the moonshining world. He's only been making shine for five years, but he's already making a name for himself. In this episode, we get to see how Nate produces his signature moonshine, which he calls "Hillbilly Gold."

Nate takes us through his process from start to finish, starting with the selection of the corn - a crucial ingredient in any good moonshine. He then shows us how he grinds the corn and adds it to his fermentation tank along with sugar, yeast, and water. Nate says that the trick to making good moonshine is all in the fermentation process, so he makes sure to get that right before moving on.

Once the mash has fermented, Nate shows us how he distills the moonshine using his copper still. He says that the still is the most important part of the process because it determines the quality of the final product. Nate takes us through the process of heating the mash and collecting the alcohol as it evaporates.

As Roy and Nate work side by side, they discuss the heritage of moonshining in the Appalachians. They talk about how moonshining has been a part of their families for generations and how they're carrying on the tradition today. They also talk about the importance of the local community in the moonshining world. Because moonshining is illegal, it's important to have a network of people you can trust to keep the operation a secret.

The episode also touches on the dangers of moonshining. Producing homemade liquor can be hazardous, and accidents can and do happen. Roy and Nate talk about how they take precautions to keep themselves and others safe, but they also admit that there's always a risk involved.

Throughout the episode, we get a sense of the passion and dedication that Roy and Nate have for their craft. They talk about the joy they get from producing moonshine and the satisfaction they feel when they taste the finished product. They also talk about the importance of keeping the moonshining tradition alive and passing it down to future generations.

Overall, "Tennessee Royalty" is a fascinating look at the world of moonshining in the Appalachians. Viewers will come away with a new appreciation for the skill and dedication required to produce high-quality moonshine, as well as the risks and challenges involved in operating outside the law.