Get ready, WNC — it’s time to raise a jar and celebrate some true Appalachian grit, charm, and moonshinin’ magic!
If you’ve been anywhere near a bonfire, backroad, or bluegrass jam in the past few years, you’ve probably heard the names Panhead Cooter and Little Diddle. These two down-home dynamos made their way into our mountain hearts just a couple of years ago, crossing paths with Moonshiners royalty like Richard Petty, Moonshiner Howard, Tickle, and then — working with the celebrity media man turned moonshiner mentor, Moonshiner Gary AKA G Social Media.
From snapping photos to building their website and brand, G helped Cooter & Diddle go from local legends to national favorites. And oh, the memories — from Oyster House Brewing in West Asheville to Mills River Brewing, Burial Beer Co., and good eats at Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack, these two have become fixtures in our WNC community. Real-deal country folks that feel like a warm hug from the front porch swing.
🌟 Then came the twist no one saw coming…
The team behind Moonshiners: Master Distiller reached out — inviting Panhead Cooter to compete on national TV. Out of every moonshiner across the U.S. (and even the globe), Cooter was chosen. Why? Because authenticity wins, and these folks ooze the kind of genuine passion and tradition that moonshining was built on.
And guess what? They brought home the win in January 2025 — putting Hendersonville, Asheville, and all of WNC back on the shine map!
🍒 And now… it’s launch time, baby!
Big John Cooter is dropping his brand-new Black Cherry Plum Moonshine at Copper Creek Distillery in Marion, NC on Saturday, August 30, 2025, from 1PM to 6PM. And this isn’t just a bottle release — it’s a moonshiner reunion, a mountain celebration, and a taste of real Southern storytelling, all in one.
Expect special guests, familiar faces from Moonshiners, and the kind of good vibes that only Carolina hills can provide.
🥾 Catch ’em around WNC
If you can’t make the release, don’t worry — you’ll see Cooter & Diddle at iconic WNC events like Hillbilly Jam and Thunder in the Smokies in Maggie Valley, and making regular appearances in Hendersonville and Asheville, a.k.a. Beer City USA.
📲 Check ‘em out online: cooteranddiddle.com
📘 Follow them on Facebook: facebook.com/cooteranddiddle
