Gatlinburg sits at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, making it the perfect landing spot for a Smoky Mountain vacation filled with outdoor adventures, local charm, and one distinctly Tennessee experience: moonshine tasting.
This small mountain town has transformed its Prohibition-era bootlegging heritage into a thriving craft spirits scene, where visitors can sample dozens of flavors, learn about traditional distilling, and take home jars of their favorite finds.
Whether you’re traveling with friends, family, or as a couple, a well-planned moonshine tasting day is one of the most fun things to do in Gatlinburg, TN. Book your stay at Treehouse Grove, where you can return to stunning mountain views from your treehouse after a day of moonshine sampling.
This guide gives you our top moonshine tasting spots in Gatlinburg, what to expect at each moonshine distillery, typical tasting formats, signature flavors, and practical tips for planning your trip.
Moonshine Roots in Gatlinburg & the Smoky Mountains
Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani
Long before tasting rooms lined the Parkway, moonshine was born in the hollows and ridges of Eastern Tennessee.
Scottish-Irish settlers arrived in the 18th century, bringing copper pot stills and a tradition of turning corn into clear, high-proof spirits. When Prohibition swept through America from 1920 to 1933, those same mountain families kept distilling, this time hiding their operations under moonlight to avoid federal agents.
That outlaw history gave the region its shine-making reputation, but modern Gatlinburg has made it all legal. After Tennessee updated its distilling laws in the early 2000s, craft distilleries opened their doors to guests who wanted to taste, tour, and learn.
Today, renowned distilleries use family recipes and locally sourced grains to produce everything from traditional White Lightning to creative flavors like Apple Pie Moonshine, Pumpkin Spice, and seasonal specialties.
Walking into a Gatlinburg tasting room connects you to this heritage. The stills may be newer, and the jars come with proper labels, but the craftsmanship traces back generations. Understanding that history makes each sample more than just a drink; it’s a taste of Appalachian culture.
Best Spots for Moonshine Tasting, Gatlinburg
Photo Credit: Joseph Hendrickson
Most Gatlinburg distilleries are part of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, which means you can explore several stops in a single day without driving far.
1. Ole Smoky Moonshine: The Holler & Beyond
- Address: 903 Parkway, Suite 128
- Hours: 10 am – 11 pm daily
- Known for: Live music, fun atmosphere, great first-time moonshine experience
Ole Smoky is one of the most famous Tennessee moonshine brands, and The Holler in downtown Gatlinburg is America’s most visited distillery. Since opening in 2010, it has become a must-stop for visitors who want high energy, live music, and a wide variety of samples.
The atmosphere at The Holler feels more like a mini-festival than a standard distillery tour. An open-air courtyard buzzes with music, crowds, and multiple tasting bars staffed by energetic bartenders who share stories and jokes with each pour.
Expect to encounter moonshine flavors like White Lightning, Apple Pie, Blackberry, Margarita, Butter Pecan, and rotating limited releases. Guests can watch working stills, meet distillery staff who explain the mash-to-jar process, and then purchase jars or canned cocktails from the store.
Beyond moonshine, Ole Smoky offers Tennessee whiskeys, cream liqueurs (called sippin’ creams), and ready-to-drink canned cocktails. This variety appeals to visitors who want to explore spirits beyond traditional shine.
2. Sugarlands Distilling Company
- Address: 805 Parkway
- Hours: 10 am – 10:30 pm daily
- Known for: Educational, friendly, and interactive, bold flavors
Sugarlands Distilling Company sits in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg and has earned a loyal following since opening in 2014. The atmosphere is friendly and interactive, making it a great stop for visitors who want education mixed with entertainment.
Tastings are led by guides called tastemakers who pour 8 to 12 samples while sharing cocktail ideas, local stories, and distilling insights.
You can expect to sample a variety of beloved Sugarlands flavors like root beer, maple bacon, sweet tea, lemonade, blueberry, and orange. Sippin’ cream options, like birthday cake flavor and chocolate coffee, offer a dessert-style experience for those with a sweet tooth.
Sugarlands also produces whiskey, so visitors can compare shine with Tennessee whiskey and bourbon under the same roof. The central location makes it easy to pair a tasting with shopping, food, or a stroll down the Parkway.
3. Tennessee Shine Company
- Address: 519 Parkway
- Hours: Monday – Thursday 10 am – 10 pm, Friday & Saturday 10 am – 11 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm
- Known for: Relaxed, friendly atmosphere, great for couples or small groups
Tennessee Shine Company operates locations across the region—Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley, and Sevierville—making it a convenient choice for visitors exploring the broader Smoky Mountains area.
The Gatlinburg location focuses on tastings and shopping, allowing you to sample a selection of signature flavors and choose your favorites. Popular moonshine flavors include watermelon, sour razz, butterscotch, and wild cherry.
During tasting experiences, bartenders provide suggested cocktail pairings, showing you how to mix moonshine into lemonades, margaritas, or hot ciders. They also take time to answer questions, making Tennessee Shine Company a solid pick for couples or small groups who want relaxed conversation alongside their samples.
If you’re looking for a full distillery tour, head to the Sevierville location. You’ll be walked through moonshine history, the mashing process, stripping runs, and bottling.
Other Notable Smoky Mountain Distilleries Near Gatlinburg
Photo Credit: Joseph Hendrickson
If you’re happy to make a short road trip, there are even more moonshine tasting and distillery tour experiences to try in nearby Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
Old Forge Distillery (Pigeon Forge)
Located near The Old Mill, Old Forge Distillery offers up to 10 free shot-sized tastings daily, which is a great option for visitors watching their budget.
Stone-ground grain spirits and creative flavors like chocolate, French toast, and coffee moonshine set this spot apart. The atmosphere is typically calmer than the downtown Gatlinburg crowds.
Junction 35 Spirits (Pigeon Forge)
Junction 35 Spirits is ideal for groups where not everyone wants shine. This industrial-style distillery includes an on-site restaurant serving all-American BBQ and burgers.
The spirit lineup goes beyond moonshine to include vodka, rum, gin, whiskey, and tequila.
Tennessee Legend Distillery (Sevierville)
Sample favorite flavors like peach, mango margarita, blackberry, and orange creamsicle while friendly bartenders share regional stories.
The relaxed setting makes Tennessee Legend Distillery a good final stop before heading back to your treehouse.
Enjoy Your Moonshine Tasting Adventure
Moonshine tours in Gatlinburg offer a unique blend of rich heritage, expert craftsmanship, and vibrant local culture set against the stunning backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains. Visitors can explore a wide variety of flavors, learn about traditional distilling methods, and enjoy lively atmospheres.
Book your cabin with Treehouse Grove today and make your moonshine adventure complete. Sample by day, sip your purchases by night, and wake up to those legendary mountain views.
