Sugarlands Distilling Company

Sugarlands Distilling Company

Gatlinburg, Tennessee · Distilling since 2014

A barn-house distillery on the Gatlinburg Parkway with a back porch cocktail bar, a stillhouse tour, and a lineup that's grown from five moonshine flavors to more than twenty products.

Sugarlands opened in March 2014 and describes itself as the number one distillery experience in the United States. What's not in dispute is the range — moonshine, whiskey, vodka, and ready-to-drink cocktails, all distilled here — and the atmosphere, which is warm and approachable rather than corporate. Family and dog friendly, and open 364 days a year.

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

The distillery

The building is a rustic barn-house on the Parkway, and it reads as one — nothing like a corporate tasting room. When the doors opened in 2014 the focus was five moonshine flavors made in the Appalachian tradition the Smokies have been distilling in for generations. That foundation still shows in the products, even as the range has expanded well past the original five.

Guests can sample the lineup, order cocktails at the back porch bar, and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the stillhouse. Everyone is welcome inside — only guests 21 and over may taste.

The products

More than twenty distinct products across several categories, all distilled in Gatlinburg.

• Sugarlands Shine — the moonshine lineup that started it all, from classic shine traditions through fruit-forward and cream-style expressions
• Sippin' Cream — cream-style spirits, described by the distillery as dessert in a jar. Butter Pecan is the one that converts skeptics
• Roaming Man Whiskey — the whiskey expression
• Broken Antler — flavored whiskey, a newer addition to the portfolio
• High Rock Vodka — sugar maple filtered and seven times distilled
• Ready-to-drink cans — cocktails for the deck or the trail

Full current catalog and cocktail recipes at sugarlands.com.

The back porch cocktail bar

Tastings and tours

Walk-in tastings are available during all operating hours with no reservation, guided by staff who know the lineup.

The stillhouse tour is a behind-the-scenes look at how the spirits are made — worth doing if you've only ever tasted at a bar.

The Hidden Stave is the premium experience: a more intimate, in-depth visit for anyone who wants to go deeper. It sells out, so book ahead. Must be 21+.

Current tasting and tour options at sugarlands.com.

Tennessee Whiskey Trail

Sugarlands is a participating stop on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, a self-guided route through distilleries and craft spirits producers across the state. If you're driving in from Nashville or heading that way afterward, it's a natural anchor for the eastern end.

Hours and location

Open daily from mid-morning until late evening, 364 days a year — closed Christmas Day only. Confirm current hours and events at sugarlands.com.

Bottles and merchandise ship from sugarlands.com, and their retailer finder locates products near home.

Tips for visiting

• Order the Maple Bacon Moonshine Bloody Mary. The bar's signature, and genuinely outstanding
• Book the Hidden Stave ahead. The premium experience sells out, and it's the version worth planning around if you're serious about spirits
• Don't skip the Sippin' Cream. First-timers expecting a standard cream liqueur are consistently surprised
• Find the back porch. Easy to taste at the front bar and leave without realizing the cocktail bar is out back
• Bring the family and the dog. Everyone's welcome inside; only 21+ can taste. See our pet-friendly cabins
• Open 364 days a year. Christmas Day is the only closure, which makes it a reliable stop on a holiday trip

Nearby

805 Parkway puts Sugarlands in the middle of downtown, on the same stretch as most of Gatlinburg's tasting rooms. See our things to do guide for more.

• Ole Smoky Moonshine — The Holler — the original Ole Smoky distillery, with working stills and live bluegrass
• Ole Smoky Whiskey — The Barrelhouse — the whiskey-focused tasting room
• 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 cocktail lounge; the natural nightcap after Sugarlands
• Ripley's Haunted Adventure — a short walk down the Parkway
• Anakeesta — mountaintop gondola and adventure park
• Bootleggers Homemade Wine — small-batch Appalachian wines, another stop on the circuit
• Downtown Gatlinburg — the full guide to the Parkway

Frequently asked questions

When did Sugarlands open?

March 2014, with five original moonshine flavors. The portfolio has since grown to more than twenty products across moonshine, whiskey, vodka, and ready-to-drink cocktails.

What is the Hidden Stave?

Sugarlands' premium experience — a more intimate, in-depth distillery visit for guests who want to go beyond a standard tasting. Book ahead at sugarlands.com. Must be 21+.

Is the cocktail bar included with a visit?

The back porch bar is open to all guests during operating hours. Cocktails are ordered and paid for separately from tastings.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes — the distillery is family and dog friendly. Only guests 21 and over may taste.

Is it open on holidays?

Open 364 days a year, closed Christmas Day only.

Can I buy Sugarlands products online?

Yes — bottles and merchandise ship from sugarlands.com, and their retailer finder locates products near home.

How does it compare to Ole Smoky?

Different characters. Ole Smoky's Holler is a working distillery with copper stills on display and live bluegrass through the week. Sugarlands leans into the cocktail bar and the tour experience, with a broader spirits range beyond moonshine. Both are on the Parkway within a short walk, and doing both in an afternoon is easy.