Under the constant surveillance of Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents, veteran moonshiner Tim Smith finds himself at a crossroads. With law enforcement closing in, Tim has made the difficult decision to transition into the legal distilling industry. However, like any seasoned moonshiner, he has a backup plan in place.
“I’ve got to protect my family, and I’ve got to protect Tickle,” Tim explained as he secured his hidden stash of moonshine worth over $10,000. Taking advantage of an old Virginia-style tobacco barn, Tim created a secret underground cellar to safeguard his product. The double-layered protection, which includes a hidden trap door and a dirt-covered wall, ensures that no prying eyes can easily locate his valuable inventory.
“This is the best stuff I ever made. This is high-dollar shine,” he said, highlighting the financial importance of his hidden reserve.
Distillery Project at Risk Due to Dry Well
As Tim moves forward with his legal distillery, he encounters a major setback—his well is completely dry. Water is a crucial ingredient in moonshine production, and without it, the entire operation is in jeopardy.
Tim and his right-hand man, Tickle, discuss potential solutions. Tim suggests digging a new well closer to a nearby creek, where underground water may be more accessible. However, with limited financial resources, they are forced to dig it themselves.
Tickle, frustrated with the manual labor, expresses his discontent. “If we were making moonshine, we could have that money to spend easily,” he said, lamenting their lack of funds. “But we’re not, because Tim doesn’t want to take the risk.”
Secret Stash Hidden in a Tobacco Field
While Tickle toils under the sweltering Virginia sun, Tim continues securing his backup plan. He relocates a portion of his moonshine stash to a nearby tobacco field, strategically placing it in between rows of crops to avoid detection.
“You want to be able to get to it fast and easy. You don’t want to go through gates, open doors, or risk people seeing you,” Tim explained. “If someone finds it, I can always say, ‘I didn’t know it was there.’”
With aerial surveillance a constant threat, the hidden barrels remain camouflaged among the tobacco plants, at least until the late summer harvest. This location serves as a temporary solution until Tim can establish a more permanent hiding place.
Tensions Rise Between Tim and Tickle
Back at the well site, Tickle grows increasingly frustrated. Alone and exhausted from digging, he voices his dissatisfaction with Tim’s priorities.
“Tim’s been good to me, but this ain’t making me no money,” he complained. “It’d be different if he was out here helping, but he’s off running around somewhere else.”
When Tim finally returns, the tension boils over.
“I thought you were going to help me,” Tickle said.
“I am helping,” Tim retorted. “I’m trying to get some investors.”
But Tickle isn’t convinced. “You keep trying, but it ain’t happened yet.”
Tickle, who has learned the art of moonshining under Tim’s guidance, begins to wonder if it’s time to go out on his own. “I like Tim. He’s shown me a lot about this business, but I’m wondering if people might want to drink my moonshine instead of his.”
With financial strain mounting and tensions rising, it remains to be seen whether Tim’s legal ambitions will pay off or if he and Tickle will be forced back into the shadows of the moonshining world once more.
