Ep 17. The Marvelous Mrs. Tickle

The Marvelous Mrs. Tickle is the seventeenth episode of the ninth season of Moonshiners, a reality television series that first premiered on the Discovery Channel in December 2011. This episode follows the show's ragtag group of moonshiners as they continue their quest to produce the best, most profitable illicit spirits in the backwoods of Appalachia.

The episode begins with veteran moonshiner Tim Smith, who is facing a unique challenge: he must figure out how to make a high-quality gin that can compete with the premium spirits already on the market. To tackle this challenge, he enlists the help of a new partner, a woman named Jeanette Tickle. Jeanette is a relative newcomer to the moonshining game, but she has quickly made a name for herself with her signature "Tickle Juice" recipe, which has become a hit with moonshine enthusiasts across the region.

As Tim and Jeanette work to perfect their gin recipe, they face a number of obstacles, including a difficult distillation process and the need to source high-quality botanicals like juniper and coriander. But despite these challenges, the two are determined to create a gin that will be a game-changer in the market.

Elsewhere in the episode, we see veteran moonshiner Mark Ramsey working on a new project of his own. Mark has always been known for his high-quality whiskey, but he's looking to branch out and create a new type of moonshine that incorporates his deep knowledge of chemistry and science. With the help of his son Digger, Mark sets out to create a unique, high-proof moonshine that will stand out from the crowd.

As Mark and Digger experiment with different ingredients and techniques, they also face some unexpected challenges. The weather is unseasonably hot, which makes it difficult to keep the stills cool and the alcohol flowing smoothly. And when a thunderstorm threatens to hit the distillery, Mark and Digger must quickly scramble to protect their equipment and their product.

Finally, we catch up with moonshiner Josh Owens, who is facing a challenge of a different sort. Recently, Josh has noticed that his crew has been slacking off and not putting in the same level of effort that they used to. Determined to whip them back into shape, Josh sets up a series of challenges that will test their skills and their mettle.

The challenges include everything from physical tasks like chopping wood and hauling heavy barrels to more mental challenges like solving puzzles and answering trivia questions. And as the crew competes against each other to see who will come out on top, Josh hopes to spark a renewed sense of pride and determination in his team.

Overall, The Marvelous Mrs. Tickle is a fast-paced and action-packed episode of Moonshiners that showcases the determination, creativity, and ingenuity of some of the finest moonshiners in the business. From Tim and Jeanette's quest to create a one-of-a-kind gin to Mark and Digger's high-tech moonshine experiments to Josh's efforts to motivate his crew, this episode is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.