Gatlinburg Distilleries
Moonshine went legal in Tennessee in 2009, and Gatlinburg has been making up for lost time ever since. Entry is free, tastings cost a few dollars, and the stories behind the stills are half the fun. Here's where to go and what to try.
Ole Smoky Barrelhouse
Ole Smoky's Barrelhouse at 650 Parkway in Gatlinburg is a whiskey-focused tasting room with daily walk-in tastings, no reservations required. Kids and dogs welcome. Open daily 10 AM–11 PM.
Ole Smoky Moonshine
The original home of Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine, with working copper stills, daily tastings, live bluegrass, and guided tours. Open daily.
Sugarlands Distilling Company
Award-winning moonshine, whiskey, and vodka, plus a back porch cocktail bar and a stillhouse tour. Open 364 days a year.
Moonshine tastings in Gatlinburg
The Smokies have a long moonshine history, and since Tennessee changed its distilling laws in 2009, you can taste it legally right on the Gatlinburg Parkway. The distilleries sit within a few blocks of each other, so a moonshine tasting day is easy to do on foot. Here's how they compare.
The distilleries
Ole Smoky Moonshine: The Holler
Ole Smoky's original distillery at 903 Parkway, with working copper stills, live bluegrass, walk-in moonshine tastings, and guided behind-the-stills tours you can book ahead. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Ole Smoky's whiskey distillery at 650 Parkway, a few blocks away, focused on aged Ole Smoky Whiskey, with walk-in tastings. Kids and leashed dogs are welcome inside.
A barn-house distillery at 805 Parkway, next to the SkyLift, with Sugarlands Shine tastings, stillhouse tours, the Hidden Stave whiskey and cocktail experiences, and a back porch cocktail bar with live music.
Which one should you visit?
For the classic moonshine experience — start at Ole Smoky's Holler, with its stills and bluegrass.
For whiskey — head to the Ole Smoky Barrelhouse, or book the Roaming Man whiskey experience at Sugarlands.
For cocktails — finish on the back porch at Sugarlands.
For a tour — book Ole Smoky's guided tour at The Holler or Sugarlands' Still House Tour ahead of time.
All three are within walking distance, so many visitors try two or three in one afternoon.
How tastings work
Entry to the distilleries is free, and tastings carry a small fee, often with a coupon toward a bottle. Most tastings are walk-in, while guided tours and premium experiences need a reservation. You must be 21 or older with a valid ID to taste, though families are welcome to come inside at most locations.
Plan a tasting day
Walk the Parkway — the distilleries are a few blocks apart. Park once, or ride the Gatlinburg Trolley. See our tips for parking in downtown Gatlinburg.
Pace yourself — samples are small, but they add up. Eat along the way from our list of Gatlinburg restaurants.
Ship your bottles — Ole Smoky and Sugarlands both ship to eligible states, so you don't have to pack them.
Mix it up — add free wine tastings at the Gatlinburg wineries or a stop at the breweries and cideries.
Frequently asked questions
Are moonshine tastings free in Gatlinburg?
Entry is free, but tastings at Ole Smoky and Sugarlands carry a small fee, usually with a coupon toward a purchase.
Do I need a reservation?
Not for regular tastings, which are walk-in. Guided tours and premium experiences need to be booked ahead.
Can I walk between distilleries?
Yes. Ole Smoky's Holler and Barrelhouse and Sugarlands are all on the Parkway, a few blocks apart.
Can kids come along?
Families are welcome inside at most distilleries, but you must be 21 or older to taste.
Is there a distillery in Pigeon Forge?
Yes. Ole Smoky's Barn is at The Island in Pigeon Forge.
Skip the drive home with our Gatlinburg cabins, close to the Parkway, or plan a group trip with our bachelor party cabins. Book direct and the Stay & Play Pass includes free attraction tickets for every paid night.