Anyone who has ever been to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, knows the feeling: mountains in the mist, woody scent in the air and a hint of rebellion. In the middle of that backdrop, you'll find Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine, a distillery that perfectly combines tradition, history and a touch of outlaw mentality.
Ole Smoky is not your average distillery. In the heart of Gatlinburg are two gleaming copper stills where visitors can watch the distilling process from the front row. As the kettles simmer, you simultaneously delve into the rich history of moonshine in the Smoky Mountains. Not for nothing was Ole Smoky the most visited distillery in the world from 2020 to 2022. That says it all.
Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine is not hype, but a story. A story of mountains, lawbreakers turned pioneers, and flavours as quirky as their origins. One thing is for sure: this is Tennessee in liquid form.
A slice of history with a rebellious edge
Moonshine and Tennessee are inextricably linked. For years, it was distilled in secret, hidden deep in the mountains. But when legislation in Tennessee finally changed and it became legal to distill spirits, Ole Smoky made history.
In 2010, over the Fourth of July weekend, Ole Smoky opened as the first federally licensed distillery in East Tennessee. At that time, there were barely four distilleries operating in the entire state. Big names like Jack Daniel's and George Dickel had their licences before Prohibition, and Benjamin Prichard's followed only in 1997. So Ole Smoky not only put moonshine back on the map, but also gave a centuries-old tradition a legal future.
The range: classic, fruity and irresistible
Today, Ole Smoky's range consists of no less than 20 different moonshine flavours, all based on authentic East Tennessee recipes. The moonshine is still packaged in iconic glass jars and shipped directly from Gatlinburg - pure craftsmanship, no frills.
The base? Original Moonshine White Lightnin': bright, powerful and straight from the mountains.
There is also the popular Lightnin' Line, which includes:
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Strawberry Lightnin'
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Lemon Drop Lightnin'
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Hunch Punch Lightnin'
And for those who like things a little softer and sweeter, there is the 40 proof line, with crowd favourites such as:
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Apple Pie Moonshine
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Peach Moonshine
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Moonshine Cherries
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Blackberry, Strawberry, Pineapple & Watermelon Moonshine
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Lemon Drop & Sweet Tea Moonshine
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Charred Moonshine
Fruity, nostalgic and surprisingly versatile - ideal for drinking straight, mixing or serving over ice.
Craftsmanship with big names
The basis of all these flavours? A more than 100-year-old family recipe, refined with the help of none other than Dave Pickerell. This legendary distiller worked as Master Distiller at Maker's Mark for more than 15 years and took Ole Smoky's moonshine recipe to the next level. All ingredients are also locally sourced, which only enhances the authentic character.
More than just moonshine
Ole Smoky also looks beyond the traditional goblet. For instance, the distillery also produces a peanut butter whisky that won no fewer than 10 prestigious international awards in November 2020. Proof that they not only stay true to tradition, but also dare to experiment.
Marketing • IT • Klantenservice
I've known Broekmans since I graduated in 2006 and thanks to Jan I've come to know the passion for spirits. I dedicate myself every day to the webshop, customer service and all the IT involved. In my spare time, besides whiskey, I can also really enjoy rum, but just as much as a gin tonic or a simple bellini. In the words of Martien Meiland, if there's no alcohol in it, don't call me!
