BUFFALO, N.Y. — Kevin Ford, 26, from Buffalo, New York, has officially claimed the title of Master Distiller after impressing legendary moonshiners Mark Ramsey, Digger Manes, and Tim Smith with his ingenuity, balance of flavor, and old-school grit in the final round of the hit reality series.
Ford, a professional distiller by trade, started experimenting with alcohol at just 16 years old — first with beer, then quickly moving on to building a homemade moonshine still on his dad’s patio.
“I wasn’t great in school,” Ford said during the episode. “But I fell in love with this the first time I tried it.”
Now heading up a whiskey innovation program, Ford spends his days crafting experimental spirits — sometimes only a few barrels a month — pushing boundaries in flavor and process.
On the show, contestants were thrown into a high-stakes challenge with limited ingredients and no access to their usual mash recipes. Kevin thrived in the chaos, creating a complex liquor from white grapes, citrus zest, local honey with strong buckwheat character, and a splash of sweet wine to layer in flavor without boosting the proof.
“I thrive in chaos,” Kevin told the judges. “This is exactly how I work in real life.”
During the final taste, Digger praised the result:
“I would buy a jar — and go back when it’s empty to get another one.”
Tim Smith added,
“You balanced it out. That little honey just gave it a sweet finish. Outstanding job.”
The proof hovered near 90, with plenty of body and no overpowering sweetness — a tough balance to strike with post-distillation flavoring.
A Victory for the Homegrown Craftsman
When Digger finally announced the winner, he turned to Kevin and said:
“Congratulations. You’re the next Master Distiller, young man.”
“Hearing those words meant a lot,” Kevin said, holding back emotion. “I came here for my family, and all the hurdles I’ve faced in my distilling career — it was all worth it.”
From a backyard still in Buffalo to national recognition, Kevin Ford proves that true passion, bold flavor, and a little chaos can lead to greatness.
