Tim Smith and Tickle, two stars of the Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners, have a long history of battling the odds to keep their moonshine operation alive and thriving. These two men face everything from rugged terrain to the risk of law enforcement to ensure their shine reaches the market. Their journey reflects the ingenuity and resilience that are essential to this unconventional trade.
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Tim, a third-generation moonshiner from Climax, Virginia, has a family history of making moonshine, and he has built a career around it. In recent years, he successfully launched his own legal brand, Tim Smith’s Climax Moonshine, which remains rooted in his family's tradition while navigating the challenges of the legal market. For Tickle, his journey has been equally unconventional. Known for his rebellious spirit, Tickle has had brushes with the law multiple times but continues to stay dedicated to the art of distilling. Together, Tim and Tickle make a formidable team as they blend old-school moonshine traditions with modern strategies to outwit competitors and avoid law enforcement.
One of the key challenges Tim and Tickle face is finding and maintaining hidden still sites to keep their operations concealed from prying eyes, especially in heavily wooded and mountainous areas. This requires considerable “redneck engineering,” as they often have to modify their stills or build makeshift structures to remain hidden and functional. The areas they choose are not just isolated but often risky, requiring them to haul heavy equipment through dense woods and across rough terrain. Despite these physical challenges, they stay committed to preserving the authenticity of their craft, making their transportation process both physically grueling and potentially dangerous.
Source: X
Security is another constant concern. Tickle’s brushes with the law and Tim’s history of run-ins with local authorities mean they have to be constantly on guard against surveillance. At one point, Tim and Tickle had to devise clever strategies to evade detection, even going so far as to switch routes or create decoys to avoid drones or hidden surveillance devices that might catch them mid-operation. In one instance, they encountered a drone while transporting their product, leading them to hastily find cover and evade potential capture.
Moreover, the journey to market is also filled with financial challenges. Tim and Tickle compete with other moonshiners and legal distilleries, which adds pressure to make their product both high-quality and unique. This has led to innovations such as experimenting with different grain mixtures and aging techniques to develop distinct flavors. While some of these ideas come with higher costs and risks of failure, they provide Tim and Tickle with unique selling points to attract loyal customers and differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market.
Even with these obstacles, Tim and Tickle have developed a strong, loyal following, both on television and within their local communities. Their passion for moonshine is evident, and it keeps them pushing through hardships that many would find too daunting. Their journey is not just about transporting moonshine; it's about preserving a piece of American heritage and showing audiences the lengths they’ll go to in order to keep that tradition alive. Whether it's scaling mountains, outwitting the law, or dealing with unpredictable market conditions, Tim and Tickle exemplify the enduring spirit of moonshining in the modern era.
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