Richard Landry Wiki Bio: Age, Net Worth, Wife, and Rise on Moonshiners

Richard Landry isn’t your typical moonshiner. A former truck driver from New Iberia, Louisiana, Landry transformed a backyard hobby into a rising presence on Moonshiners and Master Distiller. Since his 2021 debut, he’s appeared in over 50 episodes through 2025, earning nicknames like “The Spice King” for his creative, Louisiana-rooted spirits and fruit-forward mash recipes. Viewers have taken to Google with questions like Richard Landry Moonshiners age, wife, distillery, and net worth—and for good reason. From launching his own distillery to representing a new face of visibility in the craft, Landry’s journey blends Southern tradition with bold, modern flair. This article presents a factual overview of Richard Landry’s background, television career, personal life, and contributions to the American distilling tradition.

Early Life and Background

Richard J. Landry was born on February 21, 1971, in New Iberia, Louisiana. He grew up as one of seven children in a large household shaped by the traditions and environment of southern Louisiana. Landry’s father worked as a Greyhound bus driver and once took him and his younger brother Craig on a bus trip to Canada during the 1980s—a moment Landry later shared publicly, noting, “I’ve been a lot of places, but I’ll never forget that trip.”

Landry’s siblings include Cherie Landry-Triplett, Robin Landry-Polk, and Craig Landry. His father turned 80 in June 2023—a milestone Landry noted in a public social media post. His mother passed away in 2021. In March 2024, Landry shared a tribute quoting her words:

“I built a better mousetrap, you said if I did it the world would beat a path to my doorstep… It’s built and the world is, but it don’t mean nothing without you!!”

Before his appearances on television, Landry worked professionally as a truck driver. His prior career developed skills in problem-solving, scheduling, and physical endurance—traits that would later contribute to his work in the field of distilling.

Career Beginnings and Master Distiller

Richard Landry is a self-taught distiller who began appearing on the Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners in 2021, where he gained national prominence for his inventive spirits and creative techniques. His interest in distilling began in 2011, when he started experimenting with building his own still. Though hesitant at first, Landry found that his early batches of homemade alcohol were better than expected, sparking a long-term commitment to the craft.

In 2020, Landry competed on Moonshiners: Master Distiller Season 2. On the show, he presented a Louisiana-style Cherry Bounce made from locally inspired ingredients including cane syrup, brown sugar, lemon juice, molasses, agave, crystallized honey, and cherry pits—an homage to a recipe credited to Martha Washington. He explained that using regional products helped enhance both flavor and authenticity. Despite facing a slow fermentation process, Landry adapted his strategy mid-competition and ultimately delivered a well-balanced spirit. His recipe, enriched with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, earned praise for its complexity and smooth finish.

Judges awarded Landry the title of “Master Distiller” and nicknamed him “The Spice King” for his skilled use of traditional and innovative flavoring techniques. He later returned in 2022 for the Master Distiller: Tournament of Champions series, where he advanced to the grand finale against longtime moonshiner Tim Smith. In a social media post from November 2023, Landry described the moment as a “David and Goliath” battle and a day he would never forget.

In April 2024, Landry marked a new milestone in his television journey by serving as a guest judge on an episode of Master Distiller, calling the experience “blessed” and indescribable. His growth from contestant to mentor highlights his evolving role in the moonshining community.

Moonshiners Series (2021–2025)

Following his television debut, Landry joined the main Moonshiners series in Season 10 and appeared in over 51 episodes through 2025. In his debut on Moonshiners Season 10, Episode 15, Landry collaborated with veteran distillers Tickle and Henry to craft a unique mango-strawberry brandy. Known for his fruit-based approach, Landry introduced a variety of tropical ingredients unfamiliar to the Virginia crew—including jackfruit, rambutan, lychee, loquat, and yellow mangoes. He explained the sugar content and pairing potential of each, ultimately proposing a mash of yellow mangoes and strawberries, enhanced with raw sugarcane.

Landry actively participated in the full process—from prepping fruit and boiling cane to fermentation and distillation. He also learned regional tricks from Tickle and Henry, such as pre-cap methanol evaporation and using rice paste for sealing the still. The team successfully produced a smooth liquor with mango on the front and strawberry on the finish. The collaboration showcased Landry’s ability to blend Louisiana’s tropical ingredients with Appalachian craftsmanship, leaving a strong impression on viewers and fellow moonshiners alike. By the episode’s end, the team successfully produced a smooth brandy where mango led on the palate and strawberry followed on the finish. Landry’s ability to fuse Louisiana’s fruit-forward tradition with Appalachian craftsmanship set the tone for his contributions to the series.

In Season 11, Episode 4, Landry partnered with his brother Craig Landry and Richard ‘Fat Dog’ Flint to take on a new challenge: crafting absinthe—a historically controversial and botanically complex spirit known for its distinctive green hue. Responding to a custom order from a New Orleans-based client, the duo set up a remote distillation site and began with a sugar wash to create a neutral base spirit. Landry led the formulation of the botanical blend, combining ingredients like wormwood, fennel, anise, lemon balm, spearmint, and hyssop. After fermentation and initial distillation, they conducted a maceration process to infuse the alcohol with layered herbal flavors. The result was a high-proof absinthe with a licorice-forward profile and vibrant color, reflecting both meticulous research and experimental flair.

Beyond individual episodes, Landry has continued to push creative boundaries on the show through a wide array of inventive spirits. His experimentation includes sweet potato shine, cotton candy moonshine, sea-aged manglier tea whiskey, and a Bloody Mary moonshine. Many of these creations have been produced alongside his younger brother, Craig Landry, whose consistent presence underscores their strong working relationship. As the first African-American distillers featured on the series, the Landry brothers bring visibility and representation to the moonshining community.

Net Worth

As of 2025, Richard Landry’s estimated net worth ranges between $150,000 and $300,000. This estimate accounts for his ongoing role on the Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners and Master Distiller, as well as his broader visibility within the distilling community. Landry also earns through public appearances, collaborative projects, and product development. In 2020, he founded R. J. Landry & Son Moonshine Distillery, which serves as both a business venture and an extension of his personal brand.

Family: Wife, Children, and Grandchildren

While Richard Landry has not publicly shared detailed information about his wife, he frequently expresses his deep pride in his family. In March 2024, Landry celebrated the 30th birthday of his daughter Candice, posting a message that read, “Yeah I do have a 30-year-old daughter! Happy Birthday Candice, you may be 30 but you’re always gonna be my baby!” In a February 2024 Instagram post, he introduced two of his youngest grandchildren, Envy and Pride, describing them as “my two heartbeats.”

These glimpses into Landry’s personal life reveal a strong sense of devotion to his family, even as he balances his responsibilities in the spotlight. Although his wife remains out of the public eye, Landry’s social media posts reflect a man rooted in family values and generational pride.

Richard Landry Wiki/Bio Facts

Full Name	Richard J. Landry
Nickname	The Spice King
Birthdate	February 21, 1971
Age	54 years old
Birthplace	New Iberia, Louisiana, USA
Ethnicity	African-American
Profession	Distiller, TV Personality, Former Truck Driver
Known For	Moonshiners, Master Distiller (Discovery Channel)
Years Active (TV)	2020–2025
Television Debut	Master Distiller Season 2 (2020)
Major Win	Winner, Master Distiller Season 2
Titles/Nicknames	Master Distiller, The Spice King
Notable Creations	Cherry Bounce, Sweet Potato Shine, Cotton Candy Moonshine, Sea-Aged Manglier Tea Whiskey, Bloody Mary Moonshine
Distillery	R. J. Landry & Son Moonshine Distillery (Founded 2020)
Estimated Net Worth	$150,000–$300,000 (as of 2025)
Family	Married, 1 daughter (Candice), grandchildren (Envy & Pride)
Siblings	Craig Landry (younger brother)
First Appearance on Moonshiners	Season 10, Episode 15 (2021)
Total Moonshiners Episodes	51+ (as of 2025)
Guest Judge Appearance	Master Distiller (2024)
Other TV Credits	Master Distiller: Tournament of Champions (2022)