Mark Ramsey, one of the most recognizable faces from the Discovery Channel’s hit series Moonshiners, is stepping away—temporarily—from his distilling ventures after a brush with law enforcement threatened to put a stop to his decades-old moonshining career.
Since its 2011 debut, Moonshiners has offered viewers an inside look at the risky, tradition-rich world of unlicensed liquor production in Appalachia. The show’s blend of danger, culture, and character-driven storytelling has made it a long-standing success, with Ramsey and his longtime partner Eric “Digger” Manes becoming central figures.
But as the pair revealed during the show’s 12th season, their distilling days may be numbered—at least for now.
Legal Pressures and a Tough Decision
In a tense moment aired during season 12, a local Tennessee law enforcement officer warned Ramsey that an investigation into his moonshining activities was underway. While Ramsey has faced similar brushes with the law in the past, this warning was serious enough to make him consider stepping away from the business. Rather than risk arrest or prosecution, Ramsey and Manes handed over operations of their Tennessee-based distillery to their friend “Killer Beaz,” while taking time to train him in the art of whiskey making.
“We’re not in handcuffs at the second, but honestly, we don’t know at this point what our future holds,” Mark stated in an earlier episode titled Peak Season Summit.
Coping With Setbacks, Copper, and COVID
Season 12 also documented another hardship for the duo: the loss of a vital limestone water source on their mountain property, which was disrupted by trespassers. Their valuable copper stills—hidden for years to avoid theft—were recovered, but the setback was a blow to their traditional methods.
Even as distilling operations slowed, Ramsey and Manes found themselves busy. They remain closely involved with Sugarlands Distilling Company and Adventure Distilling Company, both legal distilleries in Tennessee. Sugarlands, in particular, partnered with Moonshiners cast members to launch the Legends Collection—a tribute to traditional recipes and Appalachian heritage.
In fact, the pandemic years proved unexpectedly profitable for the moonshine trade. “It seems like the hard times were the better liquor sales times,” Ramsey told Fox News in 2020. “It was good for us, but horrible for most people.”
Beyond Moonshine: NASCAR, Innovation, and Family Ties
Ramsey’s passion extends beyond liquor. He and Digger endorsed an innovative allergy mask product called Mowing With a Breeze, blending their rugged outdoors image with entrepreneurial efforts. They’ve also embraced the world of NASCAR through their partnership with Sugarlands, now the official moonshine of the sport. The duo call Talladega their “home track” and frequently engage with racing fans.
Meanwhile, Mark’s wife, Sally Jane Clark, runs her own moonshine label “Sin-a-Shine”—a cinnamon-infused spirit produced with South Mountain Distilling Company—and helps manage Adventure Distilling, ensuring the family legacy remains intact.
Television Legacy and Cultural Advocacy
While his immediate future in illegal distilling remains uncertain, Mark Ramsey continues to be a fixture on television. Beyond Moonshiners, he’s appeared in the spin-off Shiners on Shine, Master Distiller, and even an episode of Expedition X. As a judge on Master Distiller, Ramsey emphasizes the importance of learning: “There hasn’t been one episode where we didn’t walk away learning something.”
Mark and Digger also use their platform to educate viewers about the cultural roots of moonshining. “The old-timers weren’t criminals,” Ramsey once said. “They were doing what they had to do to survive.”
Despite doubts about how authentic Moonshiners is—especially regarding the legality of what’s shown—Ramsey insists, “It’s authentic what we do. We can permit ourselves to be found by the law because it’s very much against the law.”
What’s Next for Mark Ramsey?
Though Ramsey and Digger are temporarily stepping back from illegal moonshining, there’s no indication they’re leaving the industry—or the show—permanently. With legal ventures thriving and public support unwavering, it’s clear that Mark Ramsey’s legacy is far from over.
Whether it’s through televised competitions, licensed distilleries, or preserving family traditions, Ramsey continues to champion the time-honored craft of moonshining. For now, fans can only wait to see when—and how—he’ll make his return to the backwoods still.
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