Moonshine Distilleries

The History

East Tennessee has a long, colorful history with moonshine. What was once an illegal activity conducted in hidden mountain hollows has transformed into a legitimate industry, and Gatlinburg has become the epicenter of legal moonshine production. Several distilleries now line the streets, offering tastings, tours, and a taste of authentic Appalachian culture.

Top Distilleries

Ole Smoky Moonshine

The most visited distillery in America with multiple locations throughout the area. The flagship Holler on the Gatlinburg Parkway features working stills you can watch, free tastings of 20+ flavors, and live bluegrass music on the front porch. Flavors range from traditional White Lightning to Apple Pie, Blackberry, Butter Pecan, and seasonal releases. The atmosphere is part of the experience. Read our complete Ole Smoky guide →

Sugarlands Distilling Company

Located near the national park entrance, Sugarlands offers a more upscale distillery experience. Their beautiful tasting room and knowledgeable guides make for an educational visit. Try their Appalachian Sippin' Cream line (think adult milkshakes), which is extremely popular. They also produce Jim Tom Hedrick's Unaged Rye and other specialty spirits.

Tennessee Shine Company

Multiple locations in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Wide variety of flavored moonshines plus Tennessee whiskey. Friendly staff and generous samples.

Doc Collier Moonshine

Named after a legendary local moonshiner. Their Pigeon Forge location features an outdoor patio and regular live music. Try their signature moonshine cocktails.

What to Expect

• Tastings are free: Most distilleries offer complimentary samples
• Must be 21+: Bring valid ID for tastings
• Live music: Many locations feature bluegrass and country music
• Working stills: Watch the distilling process in action
• Gift shops: Purchase bottles to take home (or ship if traveling by air)

Popular Moonshine Flavors

• Apple Pie: The most popular flavor, tastes like liquid apple pie
• White Lightning: Traditional unaged corn whiskey
• Blackberry: Sweet and fruity
• Butter Pecan: Dessert in a jar
• Peppermint: Popular around the holidays
• Sippin' Creams: Creamy flavored moonshine like adult milkshakes

How to tour distilleries without wrecking the next morning

Gatlinburg's legal moonshine scene is concentrated on the Parkway, which is why it works as a walking tasting day instead of a bar crawl you have to drive. From our cabins you are about 8 minutes from downtown. Park once, walk the Moonshine Trail, and do not get back behind the wheel until you are done. If anyone in the group is driving, skip tastings or designate a driver before the first sample.

A practical order for first-timers: start at Ole Smoky Holler (903 Parkway) when it opens, walk south to Sugarlands Distilling Company (805 Parkway), then continue to Doc Collier. That stretch is roughly half a mile and usually 2 to 3 hours with tastings and a porch stop for live music. Add Tennessee Shine and Ole Smoky's Barrelhouse if the group still wants more. Ole Smoky's Island location in Pigeon Forge is a separate drive, about 20 minutes from our cabins, and is worth it only if you are already headed to The Island.

What buyers should know before they go

• Tastings are free at the major Parkway distilleries. You must be 21+ with a valid photo ID. Pace yourself. "Free" still adds up in small cups.
• Eat first. A full breakfast at Pancake Pantry or a cabin kitchen meal is not optional if you plan four stops.
• Digital boarding passes and shipping: most shops will pack bottles. If you fly, put glass in a checked bag. Confirm current shipping rules at the counter.
• Live bluegrass on Ole Smoky's porch is part of the draw. It is louder and more crowded after lunch on weekends. Weekday mornings are calmer.
• This is not a substitute for a whiskey education trip. It is flavored corn whiskey culture, gift shops, and working stills. Take it as that and you will have a good afternoon.

History in one paragraph: East Tennessee's moonshine story is older than the tourist Parkway. What you are tasting now is legal, taxed, and built for visitors. Ole Smoky became the first licensed distillery in Gatlinburg and is widely cited as America's most-visited distillery. Sugarlands leans more tasting-room and cream liqueurs. Doc Collier leans local-legend branding and cocktails. None of that requires a ticketed tour bus.

Stay on the ridge and you can walk or rideshare downtown, then come back to a hot tub instead of a hotel bar. Serenity and Million Dollar View are the quieter sleeps-8 bases. Larger groups should use Big Sky Lodge or Funky Bear Lodge so nobody is arguing over who is sober enough to drive the mountain after tastings.