3 Places to Go for the Best Moonshine Tasting in Gatlinburg
A trip to the Smoky Mountains isn’t complete without trying some of Appalachian’s finest moonshine. The tradition of distilling moonshine in the Smokies dates all the way back to the first Irish settlers of the area. For hundreds of years, people have been legally and illegally crafting this one-of-a-kind drink deep within the mountains. Since its legalization in 2010, moonshine has become a booming business in Tennessee. Here are 4 places to go for the best moonshine tasting in Gatlinburg:
1. Ole Smoky Moonshine
With locations all throughout the area, Ole Smoky Moonshine is one of the most popular places to get your shine. In Gatlinburg, you can visit The Barrelhouse or The Holler for some awesome tastings and experiences that you’ll never forget. Ole Smoky has spent years perfecting their moonshine and they offer flavors for every taste and preference.
The Barrelhouse
On your first Ole Smoky stop, head to The Barrelhouse for a $5 sampling of 7 different flavors that you will love. Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, you can stop by The Barrelhouse before lunch or after you’ve done some shopping. Speaking of shopping, make sure to pick up some of your favorite Ole Smoky Moonshine merchandise to take back home with you. You can even take home a few jars of your favorite shine if you find a flavor you love!
The Holler
After your first stop, head right up the road to The Holler in Gatlinburg. At The Holler, you can also enjoy some samples, as well as live music and a behind the scenes tour of what a moonshine distillery is really like. On this tour you can enjoy 13 additional samples of Ole Smoky’s most popular flavors and learn all about the history and process of making moonshine. Additionally, you can get 10% off any in-store purchase when you sign up for a tour.
2. Sugarlands Distilling Co.
While you’re still exploring downtown Gatlinburg, make sure you check out Sugarlands Distilling Co. This distillery works directly with the experts of Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners Legends to create new and innovative recipes for you! The fun and upbeat atmosphere of Sugarlands Distilling Co. makes for an unforgettable sampling experience. We guarantee you’ll have a blast at this moonshine tasting in Gatlinburg.
When you visit this distillery, you may even run into some of country music’s hottest stars. Sugarlands puts on live music for their customers and brings in some country fan-favorites like Cole Swindell! Make sure you pick up some Cole Swindell Pre Show Punch next time you visit Sugarlands!
3. Tennessee Shine Co.
Using family recipes that date back generations, Tennessee Shine Co. is working hard to constantly create new and exciting flavors for their customers. With four locations in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley and Sevierville, you’re never far from a Tennessee Shine! They offer classic flavors like Blackberry and Cherry, as well as unique options like Big Orange Dreamsicle and Cotton Candy.
We know moonshine can be an intimidating drink for those who’ve never tried it before, but Tennessee Shine Co. has options for new and seasoned shine drinkers. If you want something mild, we recommend the Apple Pie or Nanner Puddin’ flavors. If you’re looking for something that puts a little hair on your chest, try the 100 proof Small Batch Corn Whiskey or the 135 proof Straight Off the Still.
More Moonshine in the Smokies
Gatlinburg isn’t the only place to sample this Appalachian specialty. There are plenty of other distilleries in the Smoky Mountains that offer some awesome flavors and experiences to match. Head to Sevierville to Thunder Road Distillery or Tennessee Legend Distillery and try their old school and innovative recipes. If you’re in Pigeon Forge for the day, we recommend Old Forge Distillery or Ole Smoky’s third location at The Island. With so many options to choose from, you’ll be a moonshine expert by the time you head back home.
Now that you know more about where to find the best moonshine tasting in Gatlinburg, you can begin deciding which distillery you want to visit first on your Smoky Mountain vacation. Looking for other fun activities in the Smokies? Check out all the fun things to do in the area and begin planning the ultimate getaway! We look forward to seeing you!
