
<p>Chris Uyehara spent the last 37 years winning gold medals as an ice sculptor. Trading in his ice pick for moonshine, Uyehara now hopes to retire as a master distiller, a title given to the winner of Discovery Channel’s “Moonshiners” competition.</p>


Chris Uyehara poses for a portrait at the Last Shot distillery in Skaneateles, New York, Oct. 24, 2025. Chris Uyehara, a longtime resident Skaneateles and a master distiller, opened the doors of the Last Shot back in December of 2015. (Photo by Eric Huynh)

Chip Somodevilla

Lauren Steel

The fermentation room at the Last Shot distillery in Skaneateles, New York, Oct. 24, 2025. Chris Uyehara, a longtime resident Skaneateles and a master distiller, opened the doors of the Last Shot back in December of 2015. (Photo by Eric Huynh)

The first barreled whiskey in Onondaga county since the Prohibition at the Last Shot distillery in Skaneateles, New York, Oct. 24, 2025. Chris Uyehara, a longtime resident Skaneateles and a master distiller, opened the doors of the Last Shot back in December of 2015. (Photo by Eric Huynh)

Kelly Uyehara, the wife of Chris Uyehara, speaks about her time in Hawaii, where she met Chris, at the Last Shot Distillery in Skaneateles, New York, Oct. 24, 2025. She met her husband in Hawaii and have now been married for 43 years. (Photo by Eric Huynh)

Photos of Chris Uyehara’s lineage in Skaneateles, New York, Oct. 24, 2025. Chris Uyehara showcased photos of his lineage to showcase his background and where he came from. (Photo by Eric Huynh)

Luke Houghton, the chef owner of Pure catering and events, prepare and plate food during a private event at the Last Shot distillery in Skaneateles, New York, Oct. 24, 2025. The private event showcased the restructure of the building provided by a grant from the Onondaga County. (Photo by Eric Huynh)

Chris Uyehara, the owner of the Last Shot distillery, gives customers a tour of the distillery in Skaneateles, New York, Oct. 24, 2025. The tour showcases the process of how liquor is made and where liquor is stored for years. (Photo by Eric Huynh)

Chris Uyehara, the owner of the Last Shot distillery, plates dessert for guests during a private event at the distillery in Skaneateles, New York, Oct. 24, 2025. Uyehara has 37 years of experience in baking. (Photo by Eric Huynh)

Chris Uyehara, the owner of Last Shot distillery, pours out drinks for guests during a private event at the distillery in Skaneateles, New York, Oct. 24, 2025. Uyehara learned distilling on the internet before attending a distilling workshop at Cornell University. He later competed in Discovery Channel’s “Moonshiners” competition, where he earned the title “Master Distiller.” (Photo by Eric Huynh)

Chris Uyehara, the owner of Last Shot distillery, hosts a private event at the distillery in Skaneateles, New York, Oct. 24, 2025. The private event showcased the restructure of the building provided by a grant from the Onondaga County. (Photo by Eric Huynh)

The Alexia Fall Workshop

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Produced by

Eric Huynh

Coached by

Chip Somodevilla

Lauren Steel