Before You Go
What to Know
Age
21+ ID required for all tastings
Cost
Free to taste at every major distillery
Buying
Prices from $15 for a 375ml to $35 for 750ml
Touring
Sugarlands and Ole Smoky both offer free distillery tours
Best Tasting Strategy
Do Ole Smoky and Sugarlands back to back on the strip
Driving
Designate a driver -- tastings add up
Where to Go
Distilleries and Tasting Rooms
Every major distillery in the Smokies offers free tastings. Here is what makes each one distinct.
Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler
place903 Parkway, Gatlinburg
scheduleDaily 10 AM to 11 PM
local_barFirst legal moonshine distillery in TN; 40+ flavors; live music
Sugarlands Distilling Co.
place805 Parkway, Gatlinburg
scheduleDaily 10 AM to 10 PM
local_barAward-winning moonshine and whiskey; free guided tours
Ole Smoky Barrelhouse
place903 Parkway, Gatlinburg
scheduleDaily 10 AM to 11 PM
local_barOle Smoky's second Gatlinburg location, barrel-aged spirits focus
Junction 35 Spirits
place3140 Pkwy, Pigeon Forge
scheduleDaily 12 PM to 9 PM
local_barDistillery + restaurant + live music venue in Pigeon Forge
Tennessee Shine Co.
placeThe Island, Pigeon Forge
scheduleDaily 11 AM to 9 PM
local_barCraft moonshine tasting room on The Island
Free tastings
Last verified: May 2026. Hours and pricing are seasonal and subject to change.
Local Knowledge
Things Most Visitors Don't Know
What to know before you start tasting.
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Ole Smoky Has 40+ Flavors
The original Ole Smoky Holler stocks over 40 different moonshine flavors. The classics -- white corn, apple pie -- are the best-sellers. The seasonal flavors (peach, pumpkin, seasonal fruit) are worth trying.
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Free Live Music at Ole Smoky
Ole Smoky's patio has free live music daily -- usually bluegrass, sometimes country or Americana. The afternoon picker sessions are especially good. No cover, no drink minimum.
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Sugarlands Has Better Whiskey
If you are a serious spirits drinker, Sugarlands is where to spend time. Their aged whiskey and apple pie moonshine have won national awards. The guided tour explains the distillation process genuinely well.
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The Tasting Route
Walk Ole Smoky Holler, then Sugarlands, then Ole Smoky Barrelhouse -- all three are on the same strip of the Parkway. It is a 30 to 45 minute walking loop with a total of 6 to 10 free samples.
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Buying to Take Home
A jar of Ole Smoky Apple Pie or Sugarlands Shine makes a great cabin-night drink and a better gift than anything from a souvenir shop. Prices are comparable to what you would pay in liquor stores that carry them.
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Tennessee Moonshine History
The Smokies were the center of illegal moonshine production from Prohibition through the 1960s. The mountain terrain made it ideal for hiding stills. Ole Smoky's original distillery is the first legal one in state history.
On the Calendar
Events Worth Timing Your Trip Around
Events where moonshine culture is front and center.
Shine Run 5K
Gatlinburg -- Annual -- 5K race with moonshine at the finish
Tennessee Moonshine Festival
Gatlinburg -- Annual -- Distillery specials and live music
Holiday Shine Releases
Ole Smoky and Sugarlands -- Annual limited seasonal flavors
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