Tim Smith found himself at a pivotal moment as Moonshiners Season 15 began. After more than a decade operating legally, the third-generation distiller admitted the financial realities of the regulated liquor business have become increasingly difficult. Between taxes, distribution fees and multiple layers of middlemen, Smith says the profit margin for the person actually making the product has steadily shrunk. When rising tariffs began driving prices even higher, particularly in Canada, he saw what moonshiners have always watched for: opportunity.
Smith explained that moonshining has always been about both heritage and survival. While he takes pride in producing quality spirits, he is equally candid that the business must make financial sense. In his view, when legal markets become too expensive for consumers, demand naturally shifts elsewhere. That shift led him to step back into outlaw production — a move he describes not as reckless, but strategic.
Standing beside him are longtime allies Steven Ray Tickle and Henry Law. Smith and Henry go back decades, long before television entered the picture. Their shared history creates trust — something Smith says is essential when operating outside the law. If he is pursuing a big opportunity, they want in. And for Smith, having partners who know the risks and understand the culture makes all the difference.
However, the season begins with immediate obstacles. While setting up stills in the Virginia backwoods, the group encounters a local preacher who appears unhappy with their presence. Shortly afterward, they discover bullet holes in one of their stills. A batch of fermented mash is ruined, sending a clear message that they may not be alone in the woods. Smith believes the damage was not law enforcement, noting that authorities typically wait to catch distillers in active production rather than sabotage equipment. Instead, he suspects someone may have been issuing a warning.
The pressure intensifies as the crew faces a daunting order: 1,000 gallons in just four weeks. Producing that volume requires constant fermentation, multiple still runs and flawless coordination. As setbacks mount, including location changes and the need to bring in additional help, tensions rise. Smith hints that accidents occur and tempers flare. At times, the only option is to move quickly and disappear. “Sometimes you have to run,” he says plainly.
Despite the danger, Smith maintains that adapting to economic shifts is part of the moonshiner mindset. When tariffs restrict legal sales and raise prices, underground markets historically expand. In his view, consumer demand will always find a supply chain, regardless of regulations. “When people need something, they’ll go get it,” he explains, suggesting cooperation between American and Canadian operators may become inevitable if pricing pressures continue.
Beyond the outlaw storyline, Smith continues to serve as a central figure on Moonshiners: Master Distiller, returning January 27. He describes the competition series as both a proving ground and a learning experience. Distillers from across the country bring new techniques, regional traditions and modern innovations that even surprise him. While contestants view him as an expert judge, Smith says he continues learning from the new generation, who blend old-school craft with advanced research and technology.
For Smith, whether working within the law or outside it, the craft remains rooted in family tradition and resilience. Season 15, he suggests, is one of the most intense yet — shaped by economic pressure, territorial conflict and the constant balancing act between risk and reward.
