Moonshiners: Master Distiller Judges Reveal How Season 7 Became the Toughest Competition Yet
For years, Moonshiners: Master Distiller has served as a showcase for some of America’s most talented distillers, bringing together legal and outlaw spirit makers in a high stakes competition that tests creativity, technical sk1ll, and adaptability. What began as a spin off of the popular Discovery Channel series Moonshiners has evolved into a respected contest where even seasoned professionals can find themselves struggling to keep up.
Now, as Season 7 unfolds, longtime judges Tim Smith, Mark Ramsey, and Eric “Digger” Manes say the competition has reached a level they never imagined when the show first premiered. According to the trio, the latest group of contestants is stronger, smarter, and more prepared than any cast that has come before.
The judges recently opened up about the dr4matic evolution of the series, explaining how a competition once viewed by some as a novelty has transformed into a serious b4ttleground for elite distillers.
From Modest Beginnings to Serious Competition
When Moonshiners: Master Distiller first debuted, few expected it would become one of Discovery Channel’s most competitive reality contests.
Mark Ramsey admitted that during the early years, some people viewed the series as little more than entertainment. Over time, however, that perception changed dr4matically as increasingly accomplished contestants entered the competition. According to Ramsey, today’s particip4nts arrive with extensive knowledge, refined techniques, and years of hands on experience.
Eric “Digger” Manes echoed that sentiment, noting that in the beginning some potential competitors were hesitant to participate. As the show’s reputation grew, many of the industry’s most talented distillers became willing to test their sk1lls on a national stage. The result has been a steady increase in the quality of competition season after season.
Tim Smith believes previous seasons have also played a role in raising the standard. Contestants study earlier episodes, learn from past mistakes, and arrive better prepared than ever before. According to Smith, the educational value of the show has helped create a new generation of highly sk1lled competitors.
Challenges Designed to Push Limits
One reason the competition continues to evolve is the creativity of the challenges themselves.
The judges recognize that experienced distillers can often handle traditional a.ssignments with ease. To keep contestants on their toes, producers and judges have introduced increasingly unusual ingred1ents and situations.
This season features challenges that require particip4nts to create liquor from unexpected sources. Competitors have been asked to transform ingred1ents such as cookies, cereal, soda, and other unconventional items into high proof spirits. What sounds simple on paper often becomes an enormous technical challenge once the distillation process begins.
According to Ramsey, contestants must think quickly and adapt when confronted with unfamiliar obstacles. Success often depends not only on technical expertise but also on creativity and problem solving sk1lls.
Digger explained that even seemingly straightforw4rd challenges can become surprisingly difficult. One example involved turning beer into liquor. While beer already contains alcohol, factors such as hops and flavor profiles introduce complexities that many competitors underestimate.
Season 7’s Most Memorable Challenges
The new season has already delivered several standout episodes that have captured viewers’ attention.
The season premiere featured a “Prison Shine” challenge, where contestants were tasked with creating alcohol using ingred1ents commonly a.ssociated with pr1son commissaries. Judges Tim Smith, Steve Tickle, and Henry Law evaluated the competitors’ ability to transform limited resources into quality spirits.
Another memorable episode brought renowned chef Robert Irvine to the judging panel. The “Chef Distiller Showdown” challenged professional chefs to create high proof spirits that showcased both culinary expertise and distilling sk1ll. The combination of food and alcohol craftsmanship created one of the season’s most talked about competitions.
Other episodes have featured spicy pepper based liquors, sugarcane spirits inspired by Brazilian traditions, and creative baked goods distillation challenges. Each episode pushes contestants far beyond conventional moonshine making techniques.
Judging Has Become More Difficult Than Ever
While viewers enjoy watching competitors face difficult challenges, the judges face their own unique stru.ggles.
As contestant quality improves, selecting a winner becomes increasingly complicated.
Smith says one of the most rew4rding aspects of the show is learning from contestants. Particip4nts come from diverse backgrounds, including highly educated professionals and experienced backwoods distillers. Each brings different perspectives and techniques that often surprise the judges.
Ramsey explained that the judging process itself has evolved over the years. As the level of competition has risen, the judges have had to refine their evaluation criteria to account for increasingly sophisticated entries.
Digger perhaps summed it up best when he reflected on the early seasons compared to today. He noted that in the beginning, judges were often selecting the best among relatively inexperienced competitors. Now they are frequently choosing between multiple exceptional spirits, making every decision far more difficult.
Guest Judges Add New Perspectives
Another factor contributing to the show’s continued success is the inclusion of guest judges.
This season welcomes several special guests who bring unique expertise to the panel.
Chef Robert Irvine contributed a culinary perspective during the chef themed competition. Other guest judges throughout the season introduce specialized knowledge that forces contestants to consider different aspects of spirit production and flavor development.
Digger highlighted the appearance of vodka expert Vanessa Braxton as one example of how outside voices can influence the judging process. Contestants often arrive expecting one style of evaluation, only to discover that guest judges emphasize different qualities and standards.
Looking Tow4rd the Future
Even after seven seasons, the judges believe there is still plenty of room for innovation.
Smith expressed interest in seeing future competitions explore non alcoholic distillation techniques and the growing popularity of natural ingred1ents. He believes these emerging trends could create fascinating new challenges for competitors.
Ramsey suggested that additional celebrity judges could bring fresh energy and attract new aud1ences to the series. Meanwhile, Digger hopes future contestants might be required to source ingred1ents directly from nature, testing not only their distilling abilities but also their resourcefulness and understanding of traditional methods.
Why Fans Continue to Watch
Part of the appeal of Moonshiners: Master Distiller lies in its balance between tradition and innovation.
Viewers get to see centuries old distilling techniques alongside modern experimentation. The show celebrates craftsmanship while encouraging competitors to challenge est4blished ideas and create something entirely new.
Many fans have also embraced Master Distiller as a refreshing alternative within the Moonshiners universe. Online discussions frequently praise the competition format because it focuses heavily on the craft itself, allowing viewers to see contestants showcase their sk1lls without relying solely on dr4matic storylines.
As Season 7 continues, one thing is clear: the days when Moonshiners: Master Distiller could be dismissed as a simple spin off are long gone.
The competition has matured into a serious contest where talented distillers b4ttle for respect, recognition, and the coveted title of Master Distiller. With increasingly creative challenges, elite competitors, and judges who continue to raise expectations, the series remains one of Discovery Channel’s most compelling reality competitions.
For Tim Smith, Mark Ramsey, and Digger Manes, that’s exactly what makes the show exciting. Every season brings new surprises, new lessons, and new competitors capable of rewriting the standards of excellence. And if Season 7 is any indication, the best may still be yet to come.
