Tim and Howard scour Pennsylvania for pre-prohibition rye and a colonial-era grist mill to recreate a spirit that sparked the Whiskey Rebellion in 1791. During their search, Tickle builds a unique still to help them distill this lost American rye whiskey.

Tim lures Tickle to Kentucky on a quest to unearth the origins of sour mash whiskey and why it changed American distilling forever. With help from Howard and Art, they build a period-correct pot still to recreate a recipe nearly two centuries-old.

Tim takes Josh to California's American River in search of the liquor James Marshall distilled before his discovery of gold changed the country forever; the shiners re-create a spirit that fueled the 1849 gold rush.