Ole Smoky Whiskey — The Barrelhouse
650 Parkway, Gatlinburg
Ole Smoky is known for moonshine. The Barrelhouse is where the whiskey story gets told — barrel-aged Tennessee whiskey, daily walk-in tastings, and kids and leashed dogs welcome inside.
Ole Smoky Whiskey — The Barrelhouse
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Ole Smoky is known for moonshine. The Barrelhouse is where the whiskey story gets told.
Where The Holler leads with white lightning and fruit-forward moonshine, The Barrelhouse goes into the barrel-aged side — Tennessee whiskey, oak-influenced and aged, with the same no-pretense atmosphere. Kids and leashed dogs are welcome inside, and tastings run daily with no reservation needed.
Staying nearby? Browse our Gatlinburg cabin rentals, minutes from the Parkway.
Barrelhouse or Holler?
They're different experiences, and since both sit on the Gatlinburg Parkway you can walk between them in the same afternoon.
| The Holler | The Barrelhouse | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Moonshine, the original lineup | Barrel-aged whiskey |
| Setting | Working distillery with copper stills | Dedicated whiskey tasting house |
| Live music | Bluegrass through the week | Varies |
| Guided tours | Available with advance booking | Tastings only |
| Address | 903 Parkway | 650 Parkway |
| Best for | First-time visitors and moonshine | Whiskey drinkers |
If you're only doing one, start at The Holler — it's the original and the fuller experience. If you drink whiskey, spend your time here instead. Doing both is a short walk.
The whiskey
The Barrelhouse carries Ole Smoky's full whiskey lineup — standard expressions, aged releases, the James Ownby Reserve, and the Popcorn Sutton collection — alongside the broader Ole Smoky range and the usual apparel, drinkware, and merchandise.
Current whiskey catalog and online ordering at olesmoky.com.
Tastings
Daily, walk-in, no reservation required. Samples cover both moonshine and whiskey selections, and the 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, which is the one to take if whiskey is why you came
Current fees at olesmoky.com. Must be 21+ with valid ID to taste.
The Hooch Hop
The Barrelhouse is one of three Ole Smoky locations on the Gatlinburg Parkway, along with The Holler and The Barn — which means the whole passport can be completed on foot in a single afternoon. Make a qualifying in-store purchase at each, tastings excluded, and you earn a stamp toward a complimentary t-shirt. Full details on our Ole Smoky Holler page or at olesmoky.com.
Hours and location
Open daily from mid-morning until late evening. No reservations needed for tastings. Confirm current hours and events at olesmoky.com.
Tips for visiting
- Pair it with The Holler the same afternoon. They're a short walk apart, and between them you cover the full moonshine and whiskey range — plus two Hooch Hop stamps
- Take the Premium Tasting. The additional samples are where the whiskey lineup opens up
- Kids and leashed dogs are welcome. One of the few Parkway stops that accommodates both. See our pet-friendly cabins
- No minimum spend. Walk in, taste, browse, and leave with whatever you like — or nothing
Nearby
650 Parkway puts The Barrelhouse in the heart of downtown. See our things to do guide for more.
- Ole Smoky Moonshine — The Holler — the original distillery, moonshine tastings, and live bluegrass, a short walk up the Parkway
- Tennessee Cider Company — Gatlinburg's original cidery, and a stop on the Wine Trail
- Gatlinburg Brewing Company — locally owned craft brewery, open until 1 AM
- Alibi Speakeasy — the hidden prohibition-era cocktail lounge; the natural evening close
- Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — steps away
- Anakeesta — mountaintop gondola and adventure park, with Astra Lumina after dark
- Bootleggers Homemade Wine — small-batch Appalachian wines, a natural companion on the tasting circuit
- Downtown Gatlinburg — the full guide to the Parkway
Frequently asked questions
How is The Barrelhouse different from The Holler?
The Holler is the original distillery, focused on moonshine, with working copper stills, live bluegrass, and guided tours. The Barrelhouse focuses on the barrel-aged whiskey lineup. Both are on the Gatlinburg Parkway and both offer daily walk-in tastings.
Where exactly is The Barrelhouse?
650 Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg, a short walk from The Holler at 903 Parkway.
Do I need a reservation?
No — tastings are walk-in.
Are kids and dogs allowed?
Yes — kids and leashed dogs are welcome inside. Tasting is 21+ with valid ID.
Which should I visit if I only have time for one?
The Holler, unless whiskey is specifically what you're after. It's the original, it has the working stills and the live music, and it's the fuller experience. The Barrelhouse is the better stop for whiskey drinkers — and they're close enough that doing both is realistic.
What is the Hooch Hop?
A passport program rewarding guests who visit all three Ole Smoky Gatlinburg locations with qualifying in-store purchases. All three are on the Parkway, so it's walkable in an afternoon. Complete all three and you receive a t-shirt.
Can I buy Ole Smoky whiskey online?
Yes, with shipping to eligible states. See olesmoky.com.
The Barrelhouse and The Holler together make a good Parkway afternoon — add dinner at Best Italian or No Way Jose's and a nightcap at Alibi and you have the evening. Stay close with a Gatlinburg cabin rental, or browse romantic cabins, honeymoon cabins, and pet-friendly cabins. Check the current specials, or use the vacation planner to plan the rest.