Ole Smoky Moonshine — The Holler

Ole Smoky Moonshine — The Holler

Gatlinburg, Tennessee · Distilling since 2010

The original Ole Smoky location, and the one that started it all — working copper stills, live bluegrass, free entry, and daily tastings with no reservation needed.

When Ole Smoky opened in 2010 as East Tennessee's first federally licensed distillery, The Holler on the Gatlinburg Parkway was where it began. More than a decade later it's still the flagship, and Ole Smoky describes it as the most visited distillery in America. Dogs are welcome. Just walk in.

Staying nearby? Browse our Gatlinburg cabin rentals, minutes from the Parkway.

What makes The Holler different

This isn't a themed tasting room. It's a working distillery that happens to welcome visitors — copper stills on display and in operation, and the moonshine and whiskey you're tasting is the same product being distilled on site.

Live bluegrass bands play through the week, not as background music but as a real part of the place. Leashed dogs are welcome inside, which is rare on the Parkway. There's no gate, no ticket booth, and no minimum spend.

Tastings

Daily tastings with no reservation required. Samples rotate through the moonshine and whiskey lineup, and the specific flavors available vary.

• Regular Tasting — moonshine and whiskey samples, plus a coupon toward an in-store purchase
• Premium Tasting — everything in the regular tasting plus three additional samples, for a broader look at the range

Current tasting fees at olesmoky.com. Must be 21+ with valid ID.

Guided distillery tours

The Hooch Hop

Ole Smoky operates three East Tennessee locations, and all three are on the Gatlinburg Parkway — which means the whole passport can be completed on foot in a single afternoon.

1. Make any retail purchase at an Ole Smoky distillery to receive your passport and first stamp
2. Walk to a second location, make a qualifying purchase, and collect your second stamp
3. Do the same at the third for your final stamp

Complete all three and you receive a Hooch Hop t-shirt. Tastings don't count toward the purchase requirement. Current details at olesmoky.com.

The products

The range runs from high-proof White Lightnin' and the classic Moonshine Cherries through seasonal flavors, fruit blends, and the James Ownby Reserve and Popcorn Sutton premium collections.

The retail shop at The Holler carries the full lineup along with apparel, drinkware, and merchandise. Online ordering and shipping to eligible states are available at olesmoky.com.

Hours and location

Open daily from mid-morning until late evening. No reservations needed for tastings; guided tours require advance booking. Confirm current hours, events, and promotions at olesmoky.com.

The other Ole Smoky locations

• The Barrelhouse — 650 Parkway, a short walk down the strip; the whiskey-focused location
• The Barn — also on the Gatlinburg Parkway, with its own atmosphere and offerings

All three participate in the Hooch Hop, and all three are on the Parkway — you can do the full circuit on foot in an afternoon.

Tips for visiting

• No reservation needed for tastings. Walk in during opening hours and head to the bar
• Book the guided tour ahead. It's considerably more comprehensive than the walk-in tastings, and it fills
• Upgrade to the Premium Tasting. The extra samples show more of the range, and it's a small step up
• Do the whole Hooch Hop today. All three locations are on the Parkway within walking distance — start here, pick up the passport on your first purchase, and finish the circuit before dinner
• Bring the dog. Leashed dogs are welcome inside, which very few Parkway attractions can say. See our pet-friendly cabins
• The bluegrass is live. Real musicians, not a recording. The schedule varies, so arrive without a plan and let it be a bonus

Nearby

903 Parkway puts The Holler in the middle of downtown, steps from everything. See our things to do guide for more.

• Ole Smoky Whiskey — The Barrelhouse — the whiskey house, a short walk down the Parkway
• Hollywood Star Cars Museum — right next door
• Ripley's Haunted Adventure — a year-round haunted house across the street
• Tennessee Cider Company — Gatlinburg's original cidery, a short walk down
• Gatlinburg Brewing Company — locally owned craft brewery open until 1 AM
• Alibi Speakeasy — the hidden prohibition-era cocktail lounge; a natural evening follow-on
• Anakeesta — mountaintop gondola and adventure park
• Bootleggers Homemade Wine — small-batch Appalachian wines in the same building
• Downtown Gatlinburg — the full guide to the Parkway

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation for tastings?

No — daily tastings are walk-in. Guided distillery tours do require advance booking.

What's the difference between the Regular and Premium Tasting?

The Regular Tasting includes moonshine and whiskey samples plus an in-store coupon. The Premium adds three more samples. Current fees at olesmoky.com.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes — leashed dogs are welcome inside The Holler.

What is the Hooch Hop?

A passport program rewarding guests who visit all three Ole Smoky East Tennessee locations. Qualifying in-store purchases at each earns a stamp, and completing all three earns a t-shirt. All three are on the Gatlinburg Parkway, so it's walkable.

Is there an entry fee?

No — entry is free. You only pay for tastings, tours, and anything you buy.

Can I buy Ole Smoky products online?

Yes, with shipping to eligible states. See olesmoky.com.

Is it family-friendly?

Tastings are 21+, but entry is open to all ages and the live bluegrass and working stills are genuinely interesting to watch. The guided tour admits ages 13 and up, though only those 21+ can taste.

Which of the three locations should I visit?

The Holler is the original and the one with the working stills and live music. The Barrelhouse is the whiskey-focused stop. The Barn is the third. All three are on the Gatlinburg Parkway, so doing the full Hooch Hop on foot is realistic in one afternoon.