Tim Smith entered Season 15 of Moonshiners facing one of the toughest decisions of his career. In the January 6 premiere of the Discovery Channel series, the longtime cast member said he felt pushed back toward the illegal side of moonshining after years of trying to make a living through legal production.
Smith, a third-generation moonshiner, explained that although going legal 14 years ago gave him a legitimate business path, it also came with heavy costs. Taxes, distribution fees, shelf placement, and other expenses left little profit for the person actually making the product.
For Smith, rising tariffs and growing demand in Canada opened a new opportunity. He described Canada as a potential dry market where customers priced out of legal products may look elsewhere. To meet that demand, Smith turned to two trusted partners: Steven Ray Tickle and Henry Law.
The trio headed into the backwoods of Virginia, hoping to stay quiet while building their operation. But trouble arrived quickly. After a tense run-in with a preacher, the crew later found bullet holes in their still and discovered their fermented mash had been lost.
Smith said the damage made it clear they were not dealing with law enforcement. In his view, officers would likely have waited and watched in hopes of catching them with a finished product. Instead, the attack suggested someone nearby was trying to send a warning.
The preacher became an obvious concern, though Smith admitted the bigger problem would come if word began spreading. A quiet local conflict could quickly turn into something much harder to control.
Despite that early setback, Smith remained focused on the job ahead. The crew had an order for 1,000 gallons in just four weeks, a target he said could be reached if they managed to get the mash fermented and keep the stills running.
However, the season would not be simple. Smith said more people would have to be brought in, locations would change, accidents would happen, and tensions would rise. At times, the crew would have no choice but to run.
For Smith, the reason to continue the show is bigger than visibility or fame. He said Moonshiners began as a way to show how an illegal product could become legal, while also telling the stories of people who grew up inside the tradition.
He believes the series is educational, entertaining, and useful even to law enforcement because it shows where moonshiners come from and why the culture remains strong.
Smith also sees Master Distiller as another important platform. He said the competition introduces talented distillers from different regions and allows him to keep learning, even as a judge. In his view, the new generation brings serious knowledge, fresh techniques, and high-quality products to the craft.
As Season 15 begins, Smith’s return to the illegal side is framed as both a business decision and a return to his roots. With Canada creating a new opening, trusted allies by his side, and trouble already closing in, the season appears set to test how far he is willing to go to keep the tradition alive.
