The "Master Distiller" Connection

Reggie competed in (and won) a high-stakes competition on the show. His expertise isn't just for TV; he’s a respected figure in the craft distilling community, known for:

Sour Mash Mastery: He is a proponent of the traditional sour mash process, which uses the "backset" (spent mash from a previous run) to ensure consistency and pH balance in the next batch.

Heritage Techniques: Reggie often emphasizes old-school, "backwoods" methods that prioritize flavor profile over mass production.

Ya'll join us as we listen to the last and final Master Distiller winner Daniel Stevens listen to him talk about running his favorite grain JIMMY RED!!!!

Dee Dee sunkist orange moonshiners master distiller contestant the good vodka episode

Ya'll join us to talk about the distillers guild!!!

https://www.skool.com/still-talkn-distillers-guild-2826/about?ref=adff8eb5cbb7423d9bfbdc2c5d956895

Don Smith is the founder and CEO of South Mountain Distilling Company, a craft distillery located in Connelly Springs (near Rutherford College), North Carolina. A fifth-generation distiller, Smith transitioned his family’s long-standing moonshine heritage into a fully legal, award-winning commercial operation that opened its doors in 2016.

listen to ryan ezra talk about his continuous still

• Jeff Anderson Elkhorn Canna Co. is a cannabis-focused establishment in Asheville NC that hosts live music events. It is associated with the Smokey Mountain Hemp Company.

Rod Parton is a fourth-generation moonshiner and the founder of Drop Zone Distilling, which is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is known for being the first in his family to take their long-standing moonshine recipes "legal."

• Military Background: He served as a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and is a Gulf War/Desert Storm Veteran. The name "Drop Zone" is a direct tribute to his paratrooper service.
• Law Enforcement: Before opening the distillery, he spent 28 years in law enforcement, including time as a Tennessee State Trooper, and three years as a firefighter and recovery diver.
• Family Heritage: His recipes date back to 1934 and were passed down from his great-grandfather and grandfather. His distillery features products like "The Jumpmaster’s Reserve" and "Legacy Moonshine."

About Drop Zone Distilling

• Locations: The original distillery and tasting room are in South Knoxville, with a second location that opened in Pigeon Forge, TN, in late 2022/early 2023.
• Community Work: The business is known for being a "give-back" company, with proceeds from specific products benefiting organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project, Folds of Honor, and the Thin Blue Line/Thin Red Line of Tennessee.