America's Most Visited Distillery Is Located in Gatlinburg

America's most visited distillery isn't in Kentucky or even Nashville — it's right on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. Ole Smoky Moonshine's original location, The Holler, draws millions of visitors a year with free tastings, working copper stills, live bluegrass, and a front porch full of rocking chairs. Here's what makes it worth a stop.

An all-Tennessee moonshine story

Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine opened on July 4, 2010, as the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee — legalizing a craft that Smoky Mountain families had practiced, unofficially, for generations. The company traces its roots to the region's earliest settlers, and it leans into that Appalachian heritage at every turn. It grew fast: today Ole Smoky is the best-selling moonshine brand in the world, producing millions of jars a year and shipping its flavors to all 50 states.

The flagship location, The Holler at 903 Parkway in Gatlinburg, is the one that earned the title. Ole Smoky has been named the most visited distillery in the world multiple years running, drawing more than 5.7 million guests in a single year. The Holler is both the original home and the most prolific location, producing every signature flavor the brand is known for.

What to expect at The Holler

Walking into The Holler feels less like entering a business and more like stumbling onto a front-porch party. Live bluegrass drifts through the air, rocking chairs line the covered porch, and the smell of fresh-distilled corn whiskey comes off the copper stills you can watch through large glass windows. Distillers operate the copper pot stills and thumper kegs on-site, producing real moonshine right in front of you.

Visiting is free, including the tastings and the music. The tasting bar carries the full Ole Smoky moonshine lineup — 25 creative flavors ranging from Apple Pie to Peanut Butter Whiskey — plus seasonal specialties and Holler-exclusive blends. Guided tours take you behind the stills to see the whole process. The porch, with its row of rockers under a covered awning, is a genuinely quintessential Gatlinburg experience: grab a cocktail, settle in, and watch the Parkway stroll by. It's also pet-friendly, so your dog can join you on the porch.

Ole Smoky's other locations

If you get hooked, Ole Smoky has three more distilleries to explore. The Barrelhouse, a short walk south of The Holler on the Gatlinburg Parkway, is Ole Smoky's whiskey-focused location, with tastings of barrel-aged whiskey flavors and a few unique moonshines — a different experience from The Holler and worth pairing with it. The Barn at The Island in Pigeon Forge offers a barn-style atmosphere and the same great lineup. And 6th & Peabody in Nashville rounds out the four Tennessee locations. All are pet-friendly and offer free tastings.

Ole Smoky's award shelf backs up the hype: it was named Distillery of the Year in the 2023 PR%F Awards, with perfect-100 and Double Gold honors for flavors including Butter Pecan Cream Moonshine, Peanut Butter Whiskey, and Banana Pudding Cream Moonshine.

Make it a moonshine trail

The Holler is the anchor of a walkable moonshine and distillery cluster along the Gatlinburg Parkway. Within a few minutes' walk you'll find Sugarlands Distilling Company and other tasting rooms, making it easy to string several into an afternoon. If you'd rather sip than drive, base yourself downtown and walk the strip — or see our guides to craft cider in the Smokies and the best bars in Pigeon Forge to round out the tour.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ole Smoky really America's most visited distillery?

Yes — Ole Smoky's Holler location in Gatlinburg has been named the most visited distillery in the world multiple years running, drawing more than 5.7 million guests in a single year. It's the original Ole Smoky location, opened in 2010, and remains the brand's flagship.

Is it free to visit Ole Smoky in Gatlinburg?

Yes. Admission, tastings, live music, and access to the front porch are all free at The Holler. Guided tours and premium samplings may carry a small fee, and you can of course buy jars and merchandise, but you can enjoy the core experience without spending anything.

How many Ole Smoky locations are there?

Four in Tennessee: The Holler and The Barrelhouse in Gatlinburg, The Barn at The Island in Pigeon Forge, and 6th & Peabody in Nashville. A Myrtle Beach, South Carolina location is planned to open in 2026.