The show has been quite controversial, and has been openly criticized by law enforcement. Moonshining is illegal, but the program has never depicted any action by authorities with regards to the moonshiners’ activities, with the exception of previously shot documentary footage of a moonshiner who was arrested and subsequently committed suicide. Tim Smith recently opened his own legal distillery in Kentucky. His brand, Climax Moonshine, is now available in multiple states, including Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
