Mark Rogers (Moonshiners) Biography – Age, TV Career, Moonshine Products & Net Worth (2025)

Whether he’s running a still deep in the woods or explaining cuts and proof on national TV, Mark Rogers has become a steady presence in the world of American moonshining. A familiar face on the Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners, he represents a tradition that predates modern distilling laws—practiced with quiet consistency and deep regional knowledge.

Originally from North Carolina and now in his early 60s, Rogers has been part of Moonshiners since 2012 and continues to appear on the show as of 2025. With decades of hands-on experience, he brings the methods and mindset of old-school Appalachian distilling to a national audience. 

Early Life, Introduction to Moonshining, and Years of Practice

Mark Rogers was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains, spending his early life in a log cabin located miles from the nearest road in Graham County, North Carolina. He was brought up in a self-sufficient environment where hunting, fishing, and wilderness living were essential aspects of daily survival. From a young age, Rogers lived off the land in a remote, traditional setting that shaped his values and way of life.

At the age of eight, he was introduced to moonshining by his twelve uncles. They taught him the craft through hands-on experience, emphasizing traditional Appalachian distillation methods that prioritized quality, patience, and precision. This early mentorship sparked a lifelong dedication to the art of moonshine making.

Over the next thirty years, Rogers continued to practice and refine his skills. He focused on producing small-batch, high-quality spirits while remaining committed to the values of his upbringing. Living off the grid, he preserved the customs and distilling techniques passed down through generations, maintaining a close connection to his heritage.

Television Appearances (2012–2025)

Moonshiners

Rogers has appeared on the Discovery Channel series Moonshiners since 2012, with over 112 episodes as of 2025. His ongoing participation in the series documents a wide range of traditional distillation practices, from mash preparation and still construction to troubleshooting production challenges in remote environments.

In one episode, after a road construction crew destroyed a previously used still site, Rogers and fellow moonshiner Mike restructured their operations to avoid further disruption. With a 25-gallon moonshine order pending, they split tasks—Mike took over the distillation process, while Rogers went into the Great Smoky Mountains to locate a new, more secure site. Rogers assessed potential locations for clean water sources, runoff-friendly slopes, seclusion from traffic or surveillance, and the presence of stone and other natural materials for building the furnace and supporting infrastructure. His methodical approach reflected his long-standing experience in adapting traditional setups to remote terrain under unpredictable conditions.

In another episode, Rogers and his distilling partner Huck began the season with a fortified wine project. They obtained approximately 100 pounds of grapes from a local contact named Steve. Without a mechanical press, they opted for foot-treading the grapes, referencing historical winemaking techniques and adding a humorous moment as they used new brushes to scrub their feet before stepping into the mash barrel. The process involved separating stems and checking for any spoiled fruit to ensure quality.

After fermenting the grape juice into wine, they distilled part of the batch into high-proof brandy. This brandy was then blended back into the remaining wine to raise the alcohol content, creating fortified wine. During proof testing, they found the mixture slightly too sweet and low in alcohol, prompting further adjustments. Rogers and Huck carefully mixed in more brandy, balancing strength and flavor while avoiding overpowering the grape taste. The final batch, estimated at around 30 gallons, was noted for its clarity, color, and smooth finish—resulting in what they considered one of the stoutest and smoothest wines they had made to date.

Moonshiners: Master Distiller

From 2021 to 2024, he appeared in more than seven episodes of Master Distiller, a competitive series involving expert distillers. In Season 2, Episode 9, Rogers participated in a head-to-head challenge to produce the best clear corn moonshine using a standardized mash bill and identical stills. Distillers were judged on how well they controlled their equipment—adjusting flame, managing their cuts, and refining proof to achieve flavor clarity. Rogers brought in a clear jar of liquor estimated between 95 and 100 proof, but the judges detected a scorched note, which affected the overall profile. Although he placed third in that round, Rogers remained in the competition and continued into future episodes, reinforcing his reputation as a consistent and capable distiller under pressure.

In Season 3, Episode 6 of Master Distiller, Rogers competed in a fruit-infused spirits challenge against fellow distillers Josh Owens and Mike. The episode required contestants to create flavored moonshine using ingredients like strawberries, pineapples, and cherries. Rogers selected green peaches—an ingredient with limited sweetness and depth—and began the process using minimal sugar and heat extraction.

Throughout the challenge, Rogers noted the importance of staying focused after an earlier mistake in the run. He prepared his spirit by slowly cooking in peach flavor and ensuring it retained the traditional moonshine proof. The judges remarked that while the alcohol slightly overpowered the fruit, the resulting drink still conveyed a distinct peach flavor. They acknowledged his ability to bring out flavor from green fruit, which they considered an impressive outcome. Rogers was ultimately declared the winner of the challenge and awarded a functioning copper still.

In 2022, he also appeared in one episode of Master Distiller: Tournament of Champions.

Commercial Endeavors

Rogers partnered with Sugarlands Distilling Company in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in connection with a bottled product titled Mark Rogers’ American Peach. The moonshine is bottled at 70 proof (35% ABV) and contains peach flavoring. It is part of the Sugarlands Legends Series, which features spirits linked to individual distillers

Public Appearances and Community Engagement

Rogers has made various public appearances in his home region and surrounding areas. In October 2022, he participated in a Trunk or Treat event in Robbinsville, North Carolina, where he assisted with drawings and raffles. In June 2024, he visited Kokomo’s Sweets and Treats during the Cigar Box Guitar Festival in Robbinsville, interacting with attendees and posing for photos.

In December 2024, visitors to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, reported meeting Rogers at local attractions during the holiday season, further reflecting his ongoing engagement with fans of Moonshiners through informal and community-based interactions.

Personal Life and Current Status (as of 2025)

Rogers is married, though his spouse’s name has not been publicly disclosed. He continues to live and work in Robbinsville, North Carolina, where he remains active in moonshining and focused on preserving traditional Appalachian distilling practices. He has consistently maintained a private personal life outside of his television appearances.

Net Worth

As of 2025, Mark Rogers’ net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, his income sources likely include his long-standing role on Moonshiners, appearances on Master Distiller, and his commercial collaboration with Sugarlands Distilling Company for the American Peach moonshine product. His continued television presence and product licensing suggest a stable financial foundation tied to his distilling career.

Quick Facts Table

Field	Details
Full Name	Mark Rogers
Profession	Moonshiner, TV Personality, Outdoorsman
TV Debut	Moonshiners (2012–2025)
Other Shows	Master Distiller (2021–2024), Tournament of Champions (2022)
Distillery Partner	Sugarlands Distilling Company, Gatlinburg, TN
Product	Mark Rogers’ American Peach Moonshine
Quote	“Once you’ve had some good liquor, you’ll know it.”
Distilling Since	Age 8
Known For	Traditional distilling, Appalachian lifestyle
Community Activity	Robbinsville Trunk or Treat, October 2022
Notable Win	Winner, Master Distiller S3E6 (fruit-infused challenge)
Fortified Wine Project	Featured in Moonshiners – grape wine distilled into brandy and fortified blend
Net Worth Estimate	Not publicly disclosed
Residence (as of 2025)	Robbinsville, North Carolina