Moonshine Tasting in Gatlinburg: Best Distilleries, Tours, and Local Tips

Originally published September 5, 2016. Updated July 2026.

If you don’t know Jack and want to know shine, Gatlinburg is a mighty fine place to start.

For a moonshine tasting in Gatlinburg, begin with Ole Smoky Moonshine at The Holler or Sugarlands Distilling Company. Both offer hosted tastings in the heart of downtown, while Tennessee Shine Co. provides another easy Parkway stop. Old Forge Distillery in Pigeon Forge makes a convenient addition when your Smoky Mountains itinerary takes you beyond Gatlinburg.

Plan about 20 to 30 minutes for a typical walk-in tasting, although lines, shopping, live music, and conversations with the tasting staff can stretch a visit closer to an hour. Expect several small samples, an energetic host, serving suggestions, and flavors ranging from traditional corn spirits to fruit, cinnamon, coffee, and cream-based varieties. Bring a valid photo ID, eat before you arrive, and check current tasting fees, hours, and tour schedules before heading downtown.

The Bottom Line

For first-time visitors, Ole Smoky and Sugarlands are two essential stops for moonshine tasting in Gatlinburg.

Ole Smoky The Holler is a strong choice for live music, variety, and a bustling downtown atmosphere, while Sugarlands offers a structured tasting led by a tastemaker who explains each sample.

Tennessee Shine Co. works well as a casual additional stop, especially if you are already exploring the lower end of the Parkway. Old Forge Distillery fits naturally into a Pigeon Forge day near The Old Mill.

Gatlinburg Moonshine Tasting Quick Picks

Best For	Top Pick
First-time moonshine tasting	Ole Smoky Moonshine
Hosted walk-in tasting	Sugarlands Distilling Company
Guided distillery tour	Ole Smoky The Holler
Live music and lively atmosphere	Ole Smoky The Holler
Casual downtown tasting stop	Tennessee Shine Co.
Larger groups	Sugarlands or Ole Smoky
Nearby Pigeon Forge add-on	Old Forge Distillery

The Best Places for Moonshine Tasting in Gatlinburg

Downtown Gatlinburg has several tasting rooms close to restaurants, shops, and attractions. That walkability gives the town a major advantage for visitors who want to sample local spirits without driving between every stop.

You can visit one distillery, stroll the Parkway, eat a meal, and try another tasting later in the day. That is a much better plan than sprinting from jar to jar and hoping a basket of fries fixes everything.

Ole Smoky Moonshine Gatlinburg at The Holler

Ole Smoky The Holler is one of the best-known moonshine places in Gatlinburg. Located at 903 Parkway, it combines walk-in tastings, a retail shop, distilling displays, live entertainment, and a busy outdoor courtyard.

For many travelers, this is the classic Gatlinburg moonshine experience. Hosts guide guests through a rotating selection of moonshine and whiskey while explaining the flavors, suggesting ways to serve them, and keeping the group entertained. The atmosphere often feels more like a mountain gathering than a formal spirits lesson, especially when live music is rolling across the courtyard.

Selections can change, so do not arrive counting on one particular flavor. You might walk in planning to try apple pie and leave debating whether blackberry, cinnamon, or a cream-based bottle deserves the last open spot in the suitcase.

What to Expect at Ole Smoky The Holler

• Daily walk-in tastings without reservations
• A regular tasting currently priced at $5 per person
• A premium tasting currently priced at $8 per person
• Moonshine and whiskey samples
• A merchandise coupon included with the regular tasting
• Valid photo identification for anyone tasting
• A minimum tasting age of 21
• Guided distillery tours available by reservation

Ole Smoky’s guided tour offers a closer look at its original Gatlinburg distillery location and ends with a larger sampling experience. Tour guests must be at least 13 years old, while only visitors 21 and older may sample alcohol.

Prices, sample selections, and tour availability can change, so confirm the current details before your visit.

Who Will Enjoy Ole Smoky Most?

Ole Smoky works especially well for first-time visitors, couples, groups, and travelers interested in live music. It is also one of the stronger choices for anyone searching for a traditional moonshine tour in Gatlinburg rather than only a walk-in tasting.

Pair The Holler with Gatlinburg SkyPark, The Village Shops, a Parkway stroll, or dinner downtown. Those tasting cups may be tiny, but they are not decorative, so take your time.

Sugarlands Distilling Company

Sugarlands Distilling Company sits at 805 Parkway and offers one of the most structured Gatlinburg moonshine tasting experiences. Guests gather around an octagonal tasting bar while a tastemaker leads the group through a rotating selection of moonshines and Sippin’ Creams.

The hosts describe each pour, share serving suggestions, and usually add enough humor to make the tasting feel more like a small show than a quiet product demonstration. The standard tasting currently includes 12 flavors, costs $5 per person, and takes about 20 minutes. Each tasting also comes with $5 off a merchandise purchase.

The lineup changes regularly, so repeat visitors may not sample the same flavors twice. That variety helps Sugarlands feel approachable for newcomers who are still figuring out whether they prefer bright fruit, warm spice, traditional shine, or something that tastes suspiciously close to dessert.

What to Expect at Sugarlands Distilling Company

• A 12-flavor tasting led by a Sugarlands tastemaker
• A rotating mix of moonshines and Sippin’ Creams
• A current tasting fee of $5 per person
• Approximately 20 minutes for the standard tasting
• A $5 merchandise discount with each tasting
• Tastings limited to once per person each day
• Walk-in availability during regular operating hours
• Advance contact recommended for groups of 20 or more
• Government-issued photo identification for anyone tasting

Sugarlands currently operates daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and closes on Christmas Day. Holiday hours, special events, and production needs can affect availability, so confirm the schedule before visiting.

Sugarlands Still House Tours

Sugarlands also offers behind-the-scenes still house tours on a limited schedule. The still house remains an active production area, so tour times can shift, and reservations are a smart idea.

Children may accompany adults inside the distillery and on still house tours, but only guests 21 and older may participate in alcohol tastings. Families can still stop in together, but the sampling portion remains strictly for adults.

Who Will Enjoy Sugarlands Most?

Sugarlands is a good choice for visitors who want an explanation with each sample, first-timers who feel unsure about where to begin, and groups that enjoy an interactive host. It also works well for travelers interested in local distilling culture or cream-based, dessert-style flavors.

Pair Sugarlands with Gatlinburg SkyPark, dinner along the Parkway, or an evening walk through downtown.

Tennessee Shine Co. in Gatlinburg

Tennessee Shine Co. offers another convenient moonshine tasting Gatlinburg TN visitors can add to a downtown itinerary. Its tasting room sits at 519 Parkway, near Anakeesta, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, restaurants, and downtown shops.

The company currently advertises free moonshine tastings throughout the day. The atmosphere feels casual and upbeat, so it is a handy stop for travelers who have already visited Ole Smoky or Sugarlands and want another perspective without booking a formal tour.

Expect a rotating selection of flavored moonshine and whiskey, with sweet, fruity, spicy, and more traditional profiles appearing throughout the lineup. Sample rules and flavor selections can change, so ask the staff what is available when you arrive.

Old Forge Distillery in Pigeon Forge

Old Forge Distillery is not in Gatlinburg, but it makes a convenient addition to a broader Smoky Mountains tasting trip. Located at 170 Old Mill Avenue beside The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, Old Forge produces moonshine, bourbon, gin, rum, vodka, and cream liqueurs.

The distillery currently offers up to 10 complimentary moonshine samples from a larger collection of flavors. Samples of certain other spirits may carry a small fee. Old Forge does not offer a traditional guided tour because visitors can see parts of the production operation from the main public area.

Children may enter when accompanied by an adult, but anyone sampling alcohol must be at least 21 and present valid photo identification. Old Forge pairs naturally with The Old Mill, Old Mill Square, Patriot Park, and lunch or dinner nearby.

Moonshine Tasting Comparison

Distillery	Location	Best For	Tasting Style	Notable Flavor Styles	Good for First-Timers?	Nearby Attractions
Ole Smoky The Holler	903 Parkway, Gatlinburg	Live music, variety, and tours	Walk-in tasting or reserved distillery tour	Traditional, fruit, cinnamon, whiskey, and seasonal selections	Yes	Gatlinburg SkyPark, The Village Shops, and Parkway dining
Sugarlands Distilling Company	805 Parkway, Gatlinburg	Hosted tastings and flavor explanations	12-sample tasting with a tastemaker	Moonshine, fruit, spice, and Sippin’ Creams	Yes	Gatlinburg SkyPark, restaurants, and Parkway attractions
Tennessee Shine Co.	519 Parkway, Gatlinburg	Complimentary tastings and a casual stop	Informal walk-in tasting	Fruit, sweet, spicy, and whiskey selections	Yes	Anakeesta, the aquarium area, shops, and restaurants
Old Forge Distillery	170 Old Mill Avenue, Pigeon Forge	Complimentary samples and visible production areas	Walk-in sampling without a formal tour	Traditional, fruit, coffee, dessert, and cream selections	Yes	The Old Mill, Old Mill Square, and Patriot Park

Flavor offerings, prices, hours, and tasting formats can change. Check each distillery’s current policies before your visit.

What Is a Gatlinburg Moonshine Tasting Like?

A typical moonshine tasting is more social than formal. You usually stand at a tasting bar with a small group while the host pours a series of small samples, introduces each flavor, and offers serving suggestions.

Some tastings lean heavily into jokes and crowd participation, while others spend more time explaining the spirits, ingredients, and flavor profiles. Expect a mix of stronger and sweeter pours, along with plenty of ideas for cocktails, frozen drinks, coffee, or desserts.

Most experiences include:

• several small tasting portions
• traditional and flavored spirits
• fruit, spice, coffee, or cream-based options
• cocktail and serving suggestions
• time to browse the shop afterward
• an energetic atmosphere, especially on weekends

A tasting differs from a full moonshine tour in Gatlinburg. Tastings focus on sampling finished products, while tours may explore equipment, production methods, history, and the distilling process.

How Long Does a Moonshine Tasting Take?

Plan about 20 to 30 minutes for a typical walk-in tasting. Sugarlands lists its standard experience at approximately 20 minutes, while the time spent at other tasting rooms can depend on crowds, the host, and the number of samples being offered.

Allow closer to 45 minutes or an hour if you also want to wait in line, browse the store, ask questions, compare bottles, listen to live music, or take photos. A scheduled distillery tour usually takes longer and may require an advance reservation.

Weekends, summer evenings, fall travel dates, and holidays tend to bring larger crowds. Visiting earlier in the day may mean shorter waits and a little more elbow room at the tasting bar.

Are Moonshine Tastings in Gatlinburg Free?

Some Gatlinburg moonshine tastings are free, while others charge a small fee. Sugarlands currently charges $5 for its 12-flavor tasting and provides a $5 merchandise discount, while Tennessee Shine Co. advertises complimentary tastings.

Ole Smoky The Holler currently offers a $5 regular tasting and an $8 premium option. Nearby in Pigeon Forge, Old Forge Distillery advertises up to 10 complimentary moonshine samples, although samples of certain other spirits may carry a fee.

Before visiting, check:

• the current tasting cost
• how many samples are included
• whether a purchase credit is offered
• whether premium options cost extra
• whether reservations are required
• whether large groups need to call ahead

Do not assume every tasting is free because an older travel article says so. Policies have changed over the years, and they can change again.

Popular Moonshine Flavors to Try in Gatlinburg

The flavor wall can feel a little overwhelming when a host starts lining up tiny cups and rattling off options. Exact selections vary, but several styles commonly appear across Smoky Mountains tasting rooms.

Apple Pie

Apple pie is one of the best-known Gatlinburg moonshine flavors. It typically combines apple sweetness with cinnamon and baking spices, creating an approachable choice for visitors who do not want to begin with an especially sharp or traditional spirit.

Peach

Peach moonshine can taste bright, juicy, and smooth, although some versions bring more heat than expected. It also works well in lemonade, tea, and warm-weather cocktails.

Blackberry

Blackberry usually lands on the sweeter side, with a rich fruit flavor that pairs easily with lemonade or lemon-lime soda. It is often an easy starting point for people who are still getting used to the taste of moonshine.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon flavors often begin sweet and finish warm. Think holiday candy with just enough kick to remind you this is not a regular dessert.

Coffee and Java Flavors

Coffee-inspired spirits and cream liqueurs make popular after-dinner options. Depending on the bottle, you may notice vanilla, caramel, chocolate, or roasted coffee notes.

Cream-Based Flavors

Sippin’ Creams and other cream liqueurs can taste more like dessert than traditional moonshine. Common profiles include chocolate, banana, peanut butter, coffee, maple, and seasonal sweets.

Traditional and High-Proof Moonshine

Visitors looking for something closer to old-school moonshine can try unflavored or higher-proof spirits. These tend to offer more grain character, less sweetness, and considerably more heat.

Seasonal Flavors

Distilleries regularly rotate limited-time selections. Fall may bring apple, maple, pumpkin, or warm spice, while summer often leans toward fruit and frozen-drink flavors.

Ask what is currently available rather than relying on a flavor list from several years ago. A former favorite may have disappeared, returned seasonally, or changed proof.

Moonshine, Gatlinburg, and Appalachian Culture

Moonshine carries a long and colorful history in the Appalachian Mountains. For generations, families used local crops, inherited recipes, and practical distilling knowledge to make spirits throughout the region.

Much of that history unfolded outside legal channels, giving moonshine its rebellious reputation and more than a few stories that grew taller with every retelling. Modern Gatlinburg distilleries operate legally and openly, but they still draw heavily on that regional identity.

Corn-based spirits, family recipes, Mason jars, storytelling, live music, and mountain imagery connect today’s tasting rooms with Appalachian traditions. The best Gatlinburg distillery tours do more than line up sweet flavors. They show how moonshine moved from hidden stills and back-road exchanges to busy downtown storefronts.

How to Plan a Downtown Gatlinburg Moonshine Tasting Route

One of the biggest advantages of a Gatlinburg moonshine tasting is the town’s walkability. Several popular tasting rooms sit along the Parkway, so you can create a casual downtown route without moving your car between every stop.

A comfortable itinerary might begin with an afternoon tasting at Ole Smoky or Sugarlands. Afterward, walk the Parkway, browse shops, visit an attraction, or stop for coffee before sitting down for a real meal.

Later, choose one additional tasting room, such as Tennessee Shine Co., and finish the evening with live music, dessert, or another downtown attraction. Avoid stacking several tastings back-to-back. The servings may be small, but they add up quickly.

A Simple Gatlinburg Tasting Itinerary

1. Begin with Ole Smoky or Sugarlands.
2. Walk the Parkway and browse nearby shops.
3. Visit an attraction or take a longer break.
4. Eat lunch or dinner.
5. Add one more tasting room.
6. Finish with live music, dessert, or a downtown stroll.

Gatlinburg vs. Pigeon Forge Moonshine Tasting

Gatlinburg is the stronger choice for a walkable tasting experience. Several downtown distilleries sit close to restaurants, shops, and attractions, so visitors can park once and explore on foot.

This setup works especially well for couples, groups, and anyone who wants moonshine tasting to be part of a larger downtown evening. Pigeon Forge offers additional distilleries and tasting rooms, but its attractions are more spread out, so a car or planned transportation is more useful.

Choose Gatlinburg for a walkable tasting route, several stops close together, downtown dining, live music, and an easy night-out atmosphere. Choose Pigeon Forge for Old Forge Distillery, The Old Mill area, and tastings paired with a larger attraction day.

You can also explore both towns during the same trip. Spread the tastings across different days, choose a designated driver, or arrange transportation.

What to Know Before a Moonshine Tour in Gatlinburg

Bring Your ID

Anyone tasting alcohol must be at least 21 years old and should carry a valid government-issued photo ID.

Check Reservation Requirements

Standard walk-in tastings often do not require reservations. Guided tours usually do, and larger groups may need to contact the distillery before arriving.

Eat Before Tasting

Do not begin a tasting route on an empty stomach. Gatlinburg has no shortage of restaurants, so this problem is easily solved with biscuits, barbecue, or both.

Ask Before Bringing Children

Some distilleries allow children in public areas when accompanied by an adult, but tour restrictions and production-area rules vary.

Plan Transportation

Downtown Gatlinburg is walkable, but your hotel or cabin may not be. Stay within walking distance, use a designated driver, or arrange transportation.

Expect Crowds

Afternoons, evenings, weekends, summer, fall, and holidays can bring longer lines. Earlier visits often feel a little more relaxed.

Confirm Current Details

Hours, tasting fees, sample rules, flavors, and tour schedules may change. Check before you go, especially when one specific tasting or tour is a priority.

Pair Your Tasting with Nearby Gatlinburg Attractions

Moonshine tasting works best as part of a full Gatlinburg day rather than the entire itinerary. A morning hike, afternoon attraction, or downtown dinner gives you time between tastings and lets you experience more of the town.

Try pairing a distillery stop with:

• The Village Shops: Browse the tucked-away shops before or after visiting Ole Smoky.
• Gatlinburg SkyPark: Take in the mountain views, then return to the Parkway for a tasting.
• Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies: Spend the day at the aquarium before adding an adults-only tasting stop.
• Anakeesta: Enjoy the mountaintop attractions, then head downtown for dinner and samples.
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Take a morning hike, freshen up at your lodging, and save the tasting for later.
• Downtown dining: Plan a meal between tasting rooms instead of powering through several stops in a row.

MobileBrochure can help you compare nearby attractions, restaurants, lodging, brochures, and coupons while building your Gatlinburg itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

For first-time visitors, Ole Smoky and Sugarlands are two essential stops for moonshine tasting in Gatlinburg. Ole Smoky brings live music, variety, and a lively mountain atmosphere, while Sugarlands offers an engaging hosted tasting with plenty of flavor guidance.

Tennessee Shine Co. adds another convenient downtown option, and Old Forge Distillery is worth visiting during a Pigeon Forge day. Choose one or two stops, eat between tastings, carry your ID, and take your time. Treat moonshine tasting as one memorable part of your Gatlinburg day, not the whole itinerary.

Use MobileBrochure to explore Gatlinburg attractions, restaurants, lodging, brochures, coupons, and trip-planning ideas before your visit.

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