Visiting the Great Smoky Mountains means a memorable cabin stay, fun attractions in town, 800+ miles of hiking trails in the national park, Southern flavors around every corner, and moonshine in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN! Deeply rooted in Smoky Mountain history, moonshine’s more than a tradition here; it’s part of Smoky Mountain culture. From the days of moonshiners (those who made illegal moonshine) and bootleggers (those who smuggled it) to today’s totally legal (since 2009) distilleries with more flavors than you can count, the Smokies welcomes you to drop in for a taste of white lightening!
Smoky Mountain Moonshine Tastings + Tours
With several major distilleries in the Smokies, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg offer the very best in Appalachian moonshine. Tastings are only $5, and most locations offer a $5 voucher for your moonshine or merch purchase in exchange. If you have a little time on your hands, we highly recommend touring the facilities to dive into the art of making moonshine…it’s interesting to say the least. And after enjoying a few tastes, bring a case of Mason jars filled with your favorite picks back to your Pigeon Forge cabin for more sips!
Ole Smoky Moonshine at The Island
Join millions who’ve traveled to the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery — aka The Holler (in Gatlinburg) and the most visited distillery in the nation! What makes this distillery so special, you ask? Well, it might be the innovative flavor creations (like apple pie and butter pecan), the friendly staff who are always eager to share shining tales of old, or the freebies and discounts that come with their tantalizing tour. Offering a free T-shirt, coupons, a behind-the-scenes look at how to distill moonshine, plus 13 samples of shine, this 1-hour tour (starting at $34.95) is top of the line!
Whatever the reason for their popularity, The Holler is a must-visit. After all, where else can you purchase moonshine pickles?! Yes, their bestseller is actually a jar of pickles in moonshine…and it doesn’t fly off the shelves for nothing!
And if the distillery is packed, pop over to their Pigeon Forge location where Mason jars line the walls on The Island. You can stroll around The Island, stop by Ole Smoky Moonshine for some sips, and then sit back in a rocking chair by the show fountains for a relaxing afternoon.
Open: Mon – Sun, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Location: 903 Parkway, Suite 128, Gatlinburg, TN
Sugarlands Stilling Company
Get revved for Sugarlands Shine — the official moonshine of NASCAR! In line with the bootleggers who outran the law in the 1940s, it’s no surprise NASCAR has an affinity for white lightening. The Sugarlands Distilling Company is another prime spot to sample superior hooch (up to 100 proof!) and see how the stillhouse whips up award-winning spirits. Funky flavors include peanut butter and jelly, root beer, butterscotch gold, and Southern sweet tea. Tour the stillhouse for FREE or opt for the 30-minute cocktails tour (for only $12) that includes 2 hand-crafted cocktails made by an in-house TasteMaker.
Fun workshops are also available. You can meet the distillers and gain moonshining experience, crafting your very own jar full to take home, or become a distiller for a day ($250 per person – lunch included) and make a whole batch of shine!
Open: Mon – Sun, 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Location: 805 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
Doc Collier Moonshine
Coming in as the smallest distillery in Gatlinburg, don’t let the size of Doc Collier Moonshine fool you — it packs a mean punch! Named after William “Doc” Collier, an infamous local distiller in decades past, Doc Collier Moonshine ties in traditional and simple practices of creating moonshine, Doc’s way, by using fresh mountain spring water in the process. Step inside and see some of the original equipment used by Doc and his family to create mountain shine and grab a few souvenirs (including a bottle of the very spring water used to create their modern day moonshine) on your way out the door. And along with moonshine flavors like cherry and firecracker, be sure to sample their famous moonshine brandy!
Open: Mon – Sun, 10:00 a.m.
Location: 519 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN
Sips at the Cabin
After sampling moonshine and grabbing a few jars for the evening, return to your cabin tucked away in the Great Smoky Mountains to enjoy shine like the moonshiners and bootleggers of the past. Bust open a jar, pour a few rounds, and unwind in the rocking chairs with sunset views over the mountain peaks. It’s the perfect setting to lift your spirits for a toast!
With Pigeon Forge, TN Cabins, you’ll have more than just a place to rest. We offer cabins of all shapes and sizes (currently ranging from 1-16 bedrooms). Plus, you can pick from tons of fun amenities to keep everyone entertained and relaxed throughout your stay, like hot tubs, game tables, a private indoor pool, a home theater, and mountain views!
