Quick Facts
| Address | 903 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (The Holler) |
| Hours | 10 AM – 10 PM daily (varies seasonally) |
| Cost | Free tastings, free admission |
| Parking | Street parking, Ripley's garage nearby |
| Age Policy | All ages welcome, 21+ to taste |
| Time Needed | 45 min – 1.5 hours |
| Locations | The Holler (Gatlinburg), Barrelhouse (Gatlinburg), The Barn (Pigeon Forge) |
| Live Music | Daily at all locations — free |
| Drive from Cabins | ~15 min to The Holler, ~20 min to Pigeon Forge |
About Ole Smoky
Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine is America's most visited and top-selling moonshine distillery. What began as a way to preserve and celebrate the Appalachian moonshining tradition has become one of the most popular attractions in the entire Smoky Mountain region — drawing millions of visitors each year to its three locations across Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
The company was founded by local families with deep roots in Tennessee moonshining culture. When Tennessee legalized distillery operations in 2009, Ole Smoky became the first legal moonshine distillery in the state's history. The founding families, many of whom had been making moonshine for generations, finally had the opportunity to share their craft openly. Today, they produce over 15 million jars of moonshine annually, making Ole Smoky not just the most popular moonshine in Tennessee but the best-selling moonshine brand in the world.
What sets Ole Smoky apart from other distilleries is the experience surrounding it. Walking into The Holler feels less like entering a business and more like stumbling into someone's front porch party. Live bluegrass music drifts through the air, rocking chairs line the porch, and the aroma of fresh-distilled corn whiskey seeps from the copper stills visible through the windows. It is Appalachian culture distilled — figuratively and literally.
Approx drive time from our cabins: 15 minutes to the Gatlinburg location (The Holler) in downtown Gatlinburg. The Barrelhouse is also in Gatlinburg, and The Barn in Pigeon Forge is approximately 20 minutes away.
Visiting Ole Smoky is completely free, including all tastings and live music. There is no obligation to purchase anything, though after sampling dozens of flavors, most visitors find a favorite or two to take home. The laid-back atmosphere makes it easy to spend an hour or two just enjoying the music and the scene.
What to Expect When You Arrive
When you walk up to The Holler on the Gatlinburg Parkway, you will hear the music before you see the entrance. Musicians play on the covered front porch, and the sound of banjos and fiddles carries down the sidewalk. The entrance is open-air during warm months, with large barn doors that swing wide to invite you in.
Inside, the atmosphere is casual and lively. There is no formal check-in or guided tour queue — you simply walk in and explore at your own pace. The working copper stills are visible through large glass windows, and you can watch the distillers at work as they run batches of moonshine. Interpretive signs explain the process, from grain milling to fermentation to distillation, so you can follow the moonshine's journey even without a guide.
The tasting bar runs along one wall, staffed by friendly employees who pour samples and answer questions about the different varieties. The gift shop occupies another section of the building, packed with moonshine jars, branded merchandise, hot sauces, candies, and other Appalachian-themed souvenirs. A separate cocktail bar serves mixed drinks using Ole Smoky spirits if you want something more than a straight tasting pour.
There is no pressure to buy anything. Many locals and repeat visitors stop in just for the music and the atmosphere. The whole experience is designed to feel like a welcoming mountain gathering, not a hard sell.
The Tasting Experience
The tasting process at Ole Smoky is refreshingly informal. Walk up to the tasting bar, where small sample cups and rows of labeled moonshine jars await. An employee will guide you through the options, or you can simply point to whatever catches your eye. There is no limit on how many flavors you can try, though common sense and a good pace will serve you well.
Staff typically start newcomers with something approachable — Apple Pie is a crowd favorite — before moving into the bolder, higher-proof offerings. If you ask for a recommendation, they are genuinely helpful and enjoy matching flavors to individual preferences. Tell them whether you prefer sweet, fruity, strong, or smooth, and they will narrow it down quickly.
Each sample is a small pour, about half an ounce. Even at that size, trying 10 or 12 flavors adds up, so pace yourself. Crackers and water are typically available to cleanse your palate between tastings. There is no charge for any of this — the business model relies on the fact that most visitors find at least one flavor they want to take home.
Moonshine ranges from traditional unflavored white lightning at around 100 proof to sweeter, lower-proof flavored varieties (typically 40-70 proof) that appeal to casual drinkers and cocktail enthusiasts. The whiskeys and bourbons at the Barrelhouse tend to run higher proof and offer a different tasting experience for brown spirit fans.
Tastings are restricted to guests 21 years of age and older with valid ID. Those under 21 can still visit, shop, and enjoy the music, but cannot participate in tastings. The staff checks ID at the bar — bring your driver's license or passport.
Best Moonshine Flavors to Try
Ole Smoky produces dozens of moonshine, whiskey, and cream varieties. The lineup changes with seasonal and limited-edition releases, but these are the flagship flavors that first-time visitors should prioritize at the tasting bar:
The flavor that put Ole Smoky on the map. Made with apple juice, ground cinnamon, and other natural spices, it tastes remarkably like liquid apple pie. Dangerously drinkable straight or warmed up on a cold evening. The number one best-selling moonshine in America.
This is moonshine in its purest form — unaged, unflavored corn whiskey just like the old-timers made in these hills. Clean, strong, and smooth with a sweet corn finish. Try this one to understand what real moonshine is all about before the flavors mask it.
Real blackberry flavor infused with Tennessee moonshine. Tastes like fresh-picked berries from the mountains with a warm moonshine backbone. Excellent on its own, over ice, or mixed into lemonade for a summer cocktail. A staff favorite for good reason.
Ole Smoky's moonshine aged in charred oak barrels, giving it a golden color and rich caramel-vanilla complexity you would not expect from moonshine. The bridge between white moonshine and whiskey — an excellent pick for bourbon drinkers who want to explore moonshine territory.
Bright, tangy, and refreshing with real lemon flavor. This one tastes like a moonshine version of the classic cocktail. A top pick for spring and summer sipping, and it makes an incredibly easy base for lemonade cocktails.
Sweet Georgia peach meets Tennessee moonshine. The ripe peach flavor is natural-tasting and not overly sugary, making this one of the smoother, most approachable options on the menu. Perfect for anyone who prefers their spirits on the sweeter side.
A whiskey-based spirit with buttery caramel and a hint of sea salt that balances the sweetness. This one converts people who think they don't like whiskey. Incredible as a dessert sipper, in coffee, or drizzled over vanilla ice cream at your cabin.
Beyond these must-tries, keep an eye out for seasonal releases and the cream-based moonshine line, which includes Mountain Java (coffee-flavored) and Banana Pudding. The cream varieties need to be refrigerated after opening, which makes them a unique take-home gift. Seasonal flavors rotate throughout the year and often include limited-edition holiday varieties.
Stay Close to Downtown
Our cabins put you just 15 minutes from downtown Gatlinburg and all its attractions. No need to worry about a designated driver!
Check Cabin AvailabilityThe Holler — Downtown Gatlinburg
The original location and the one most people picture when they think of Ole Smoky. "The Holler" takes its name from the mountain term for a small valley — the kind of secluded hollow where moonshiners once hid their stills from revenue agents. This location sits right on the Gatlinburg Parkway in the heart of downtown, making it one of the easiest attractions in town to walk to.
The Holler is where you will find the working moonshine stills. Watch through large glass windows as distillers operate the copper pot stills and thumper kegs, producing real moonshine before your eyes. The tasting bar here carries the full Ole Smoky moonshine lineup plus seasonal specialties and Holler-exclusive blends.
The front porch is legendary — a row of rocking chairs under a covered awning where live musicians play throughout the day. Grab a cocktail from the bar, settle into a rocker, and watch the Parkway stroll by. It is one of the most quintessentially Gatlinburg experiences you can have, and it costs nothing.
- What sets it apart: Working stills, original location, iconic front porch with live music
- Best for: First-time visitors, moonshine tastings, live music fans
- Parking: Street parking or Ripley's parking garage (short walk)
- Hours: Generally 10 AM – 10 PM (varies seasonally)
The Barrelhouse — Gatlinburg
The Barrelhouse is Ole Smoky's whiskey-focused location, also on the Gatlinburg Parkway but with a distinctly different vibe. While The Holler celebrates the raw moonshine tradition, the Barrelhouse leans into the aged and refined side of the spirit world. Here, barrel aging warehouses store whiskey and bourbon that will mature for months or years before bottling.
The tasting bar at the Barrelhouse carries the full moonshine lineup alongside Ole Smoky's Tennessee Whiskey, bourbon, and specialty aged spirits. If you are more of a whiskey or bourbon drinker than a moonshine fan, this is your spot. The Barrelhouse also has a rooftop bar — one of the few elevated outdoor drinking spots in downtown Gatlinburg, with views of the mountains and the Parkway below.
The atmosphere here is slightly more polished than The Holler but still casual. Live music plays on an indoor stage, and the cocktail program uses Ole Smoky spirits as the base for creative mixed drinks. It is an excellent place to wind down in the evening.
- What sets it apart: Whiskey and bourbon focus, rooftop bar, barrel aging tours
- Best for: Whiskey lovers, couples, evening cocktails with views
- Parking: Street parking or nearby public lots
- Hours: Generally 10 AM – 10 PM (varies seasonally)
The Barn — Pigeon Forge
The Barn is Ole Smoky's newest and largest location, situated at The Island in Pigeon Forge. This sprawling venue takes the distillery experience to another level with more space, a larger outdoor stage for live music, and a full food menu that goes beyond what the Gatlinburg locations offer.
The tasting experience is the same — walk up to the bar, sample as many flavors as you like, free of charge. But The Barn adds a full restaurant with Southern-inspired dishes, making it possible to turn your tasting visit into a complete meal. The outdoor stage hosts larger musical acts, and the venue is available for private events and large group gatherings.
If you are spending a day at The Island in Pigeon Forge (which includes the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel, shops, restaurants, and entertainment), The Barn makes a natural stop. The combination of tastings, food, live music, and shopping can easily fill a half-day.
- What sets it apart: Largest venue, full food menu, event space, located at The Island
- Best for: Groups, families (food options for kids), Pigeon Forge visitors
- Parking: Free parking at The Island complex
- Hours: Generally 10 AM – 10 PM (varies seasonally)
Live Music & Entertainment
Live music is the soul of the Ole Smoky experience. All three locations feature musicians playing traditional Appalachian, bluegrass, country, and Americana music throughout the day. The performances are not polished stage shows — they are genuine, intimate sessions where talented local musicians play within arm's reach of the audience.
At The Holler, the front porch stage is the main draw. Musicians typically play from late morning through the evening, with schedules varying by season. On busy weekends, there may be multiple acts rotating throughout the day. The indoor stage provides music during colder months or inclement weather. Expect fiddles, banjos, guitars, mandolins, and the occasional harmonica — the real instruments of the Appalachian music tradition.
The Barrelhouse features its own music program with performances that tend to lean slightly more toward country and singer-songwriter styles. The Barn in Pigeon Forge has the largest outdoor stage of the three locations, capable of hosting bigger acts for special events and festivals.
All live music is free. There are no cover charges, no drink minimums, and no reserved seating. Just pull up a rocking chair, grab a cocktail if you want one, and enjoy. Tips for the musicians are appreciated — there is usually a tip jar or guitar case near the stage.
Gift Shop
The Ole Smoky gift shops at each location are worth browsing even if you do not plan to buy moonshine. Beyond the full lineup of spirits (which you can purchase by the jar to take home), the shops carry a wide selection of moonshine-themed merchandise, Gatlinburg souvenirs, and Appalachian-crafted goods.
Popular purchases include:
- Moonshine jars and gift sets: Individual flavors, sampler packs, and holiday gift boxes. Seasonal and limited-edition flavors are sometimes only available in-store.
- Moonshine-infused foods: Hot sauces, BBQ sauces, jellies, candies, and chocolates made with Ole Smoky moonshine. These make excellent gifts for people back home.
- Branded merchandise: T-shirts, hats, glassware, koozies, and barware. The designs lean into the Appalachian moonshiner aesthetic and make fun souvenirs.
- Cocktail accessories: Moonshine mixers, recipe books, mason jar cocktail kits, and muddlers for making moonshine cocktails at home.
Prices in the gift shop are reasonable — you are buying direct from the distillery, so jar prices are the same or less than what you would pay at a liquor store. Many visitors taste first, identify their favorites, then pick up jars on the way out.
Tours & Special Experiences
Beyond the free walk-in tasting experience, Ole Smoky offers several enhanced experiences for visitors who want to go deeper into the moonshine world:
- Distillery Tours: Go behind the scenes at The Holler to learn about the moonshine production process from grain to jar. A guide walks you through the milling, fermentation, and distillation stages, explaining the science and history behind each step. Tours run throughout the day and are reasonably priced.
- Whiskey Tours: At the Barrelhouse, tour the barrel aging facilities and learn about the differences between moonshine, whiskey, and bourbon. You will see the charred oak barrels up close and learn how aging transforms clear moonshine into golden whiskey.
- Cocktail Classes: Learn to make moonshine cocktails from an Ole Smoky mixologist. These hands-on classes teach you recipes you can recreate at home and are a fun option for couples, friend groups, or bachelorette parties.
- Private Events: All three venues can be reserved for weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, and other special occasions. The Barn in Pigeon Forge has the most event-friendly space.
Check the website for current tour availability and pricing. Walk-up visits for free tastings do not require reservations.
Tips for Your Visit
- Bring ID: You must be 21 with a valid photo ID to taste. They check every time, no exceptions.
- Pace yourself: With dozens of flavors available, it is easy to over-sample. Take your time, sip water between tastings, and do not feel obligated to try everything in one visit.
- Designated driver: Even though the tasting pours are small, trying 10-15 flavors adds up. Plan accordingly — walk from your hotel, use the Gatlinburg trolley, or designate a sober driver. Staying in a cabin with a group makes this easy.
- Best times to visit: Weekday mornings (10 AM – noon) are least crowded. Evenings and weekends are busiest but have the best music and atmosphere.
- Kids welcome: Under-21 visitors can enter, shop, enjoy music, and watch the stills. They just cannot taste.
- Plan for parking: The Holler does not have its own lot. Street parking is first-come-first-served. The Ripley's parking garage is the closest reliable option. The Barn has free parking at The Island complex.
- Visit multiple locations: Each of the three locations has a different vibe. If time allows, hitting at least The Holler and the Barrelhouse gives you the full breadth of the Ole Smoky experience.
- Ship spirits home: If you are flying, ask the staff about shipping options. Tennessee law allows you to take moonshine home, but airline liquid restrictions and checked bag weight limits can be an issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ole Smoky's Gatlinburg location (The Holler) is generally open 10 AM to 10 PM daily. Hours vary seasonally — summer hours may extend later, while winter hours can be shorter. The Barrelhouse in Gatlinburg and The Barn in Pigeon Forge keep similar schedules but may have slightly different hours. Always check olesmoky.com for current hours before your visit, especially around holidays when hours may change.
Yes, Ole Smoky Distillery is completely free to visit. There is no admission charge, and moonshine tastings are complimentary at all three locations. You can walk in, sample as many flavors as you like, watch the stills in operation, enjoy the live music, and browse the gift shop without spending a penny. Purchases are entirely optional. The only experiences that cost money are the enhanced distillery tours and cocktail classes, which are optional add-ons.
Yes, all ages are welcome at Ole Smoky Distillery. Children can enter the facility, watch moonshine being made through the windows, enjoy the live music, and browse the gift shop. However, you must be 21 or older with a valid photo ID to participate in tastings. The atmosphere is family-friendly and many families visit with children of all ages. The Barn in Pigeon Forge is especially family-friendly since it has a full food menu, so kids can eat while adults taste.
Ole Smoky has three distinct locations, each with its own personality.
- The Holler (Gatlinburg) is the original location with working stills, the iconic front porch with rocking chairs and live music, and the full moonshine tasting bar. This is the quintessential Ole Smoky experience.
- The Barrelhouse (Gatlinburg) focuses on whiskey and bourbon with barrel aging tours and a rooftop bar with mountain views. A more refined atmosphere.
- The Barn (Pigeon Forge) is the newest and largest, with a full food menu, larger outdoor music stage, and event space. Located at The Island, making it easy to combine with other Pigeon Forge activities.
All three offer free tastings of the full product lineup. If you can only visit one, The Holler is the must-see original. If you have time for two, add the Barrelhouse for the whiskey experience and rooftop bar.
Apple Pie is the most popular flavor and the best-selling moonshine in America, but the "best" depends on your taste. For sweet and approachable, try Apple Pie, Peach, or Blackberry. For traditional moonshine fans, White Lightnin' at 100 proof is the real deal. Whiskey drinkers should try the Charred (barrel-aged moonshine) or the Salty Caramel Whiskey. The beauty of free tastings is that you can try them all and decide for yourself.
Ole Smoky's Gatlinburg locations do not have dedicated parking lots. Your best options are metered street parking along the Parkway (if you can find a spot), the Ripley's parking garage on Bruce Street (a short walk from The Holler), or one of the public parking lots in downtown Gatlinburg. Parking can be tight on busy weekends, so consider arriving early or using the free Gatlinburg trolley. The Barn in Pigeon Forge has free parking at The Island complex.
Related Guides
Planning a visit to Ole Smoky? These guides will help you make the most of your trip to downtown Gatlinburg and beyond:
Approx Drive Time from Our Cabins
| Location | Drive Time |
|---|---|
| Our Cabins to The Holler (Gatlinburg) | Approx 15 minutes |
| Our Cabins to The Barrelhouse (Gatlinburg) | Approx 15 minutes |
| Our Cabins to The Barn (Pigeon Forge) | Approx 20 minutes |
