A New Lead Brings Fresh Hope
Jerry had a good feeling about the guy who owned a barn up in the valley. Though he didn’t know him too well, the man’s family had deep roots in the area. With their mash finally ready, the team—Mark, Digger, and Jerry—knew it was time to find a place to set up their next still. After putting the word out, they finally got a call that could change everything.
First Impressions: A Promising Barn
As they pulled onto the property, they were immediately impressed. The barn looked solid and spacious—just what they needed. But the deal wasn’t done yet. They had to meet the owner and see if he was open to their unusual request.
“What do you want to do with my building?” the owner asked.
“Well, the occupation I’d say we’re in… is the making of bootleg liquor,” Jerry admitted.
The man was honest—he liked a good sip of shine but wasn’t sure he wanted to risk his farm. Still, he gave them permission to look around and promised to think about it.
The Perfect Setup
Inside, the barn exceeded all expectations. It was roomy, secure, and had a loft that was ideal for hiding their equipment. Excitement buzzed through the air—but they couldn’t let it show. They had to play it cool to strike the right deal.
When they came back outside, the barn owner asked the big question:
“What’s it going to be worth to y’all to make this deal happen?”
The team offered a gallon per run. Some weeks would bring one run, others maybe two—but they couldn’t guarantee consistency. After a moment’s thought, the owner agreed.
“All right guys, I think I’m going to do business with you.”
The deal was done—with one condition: silence.
Setting Up the Still
It was go-time. They carefully moved their still—transporting it separately from the mash to avoid legal trouble. In North Carolina, owning a still is legal, but running mash through it is not.
Back at the barn, the setup went smoothly. The still was in place, the coils were tightened, and the team felt a renewed sense of hope. This was their first time firing it up since it had been stolen, and emotions ran high.
The Mash Moves In
Next, they needed to get their precious apple pomace mash safely to the site. They loaded it up, strapped it down, and disguised it well. When they arrived at the barn and began pumping it over, everything looked perfect.
“That mash is ready. Smells like money.”
A Make-or-Break Run
This run wasn’t just another batch—it was a lifeline. After losing time and equipment, they needed a win. This new apple pie recipe could be a game-changer.
Once the still was fired up, they monitored every valve and pressure point. The still had been damaged when stolen, and they had fixed what they could—but there was no telling what might still go wrong.
Now, safely under lock and key, the team felt more secure. A portion of the shine would go to the barn owner as agreed. The rest? Straight into their pockets.
The Taste of Success
As the shine began to flow, the air filled with the scent of sweet spices—clove, nutmeg, brown sugar, and a hint of cinnamon.
“It smells like a dang pie,” one of them said.
The taste? Perfect. The apple flavor shone through, balanced with warm spices but not overpowered. It was the kind of shine that could make real money.
“That ain’t nothing but good old clear apple pie right there, fellas.”
Back in Business
For the first time this season, things were looking up. With a solid location, a fresh mash, and their still back in action, Mark, Digger, and Jerry were finally on the path to putting money in their pockets again.
This new barn might just be the hidden gem that saves their season.
