Ole Smoky Distillery: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Updated: 1 hour ago
Ole Smoky Distillery is a corn whiskey and moonshine distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Its downtown site has two working copper stills where visitors can watch distilling.
In this guide
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Ole Smoky at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Producer / distillery | Ole Smoky |
Country and region | Tennessee, United States |
Ownership / operator | Ole Smoky distilling business |
History or founding | After Tennessee law changed to allow distilling, Ole Smoky Distillery, LLC became the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee. It opened the weekend of 4… |
Whisky identity | Tennessee moonshine producer with unaged corn spirit and flavoured products |
Visiting | Check the producer's current website for tours, visitor access and bookings. |
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History
After Tennessee law changed to allow distilling, Ole Smoky Distillery, LLC became the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee. It opened the weekend of 4 July 2010, when it was one of only four distilleries in the state. A second site, The Barn, opened in Pigeon Forge in autumn 2014. In spring 2019 it partnered with Yee-Haw Brewing Co to open a facility called 6th and Peabody in Nashville. In February 2022 the private equity firm Apax Partners bought a majority stake. A Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, distillery with Yee-Haw is set to open in 2026.
Range and reach
Ole Smoky sells fifteen moonshine flavours made to East Tennessee recipes, including Original and White Lightnin' at 100 proof. The distillery says it uses a 100 year old family recipe, perfected with help from Dave Pickerell, former master distiller at Maker's Mark. It also makes a peanut butter whiskey. From 2020 to 2022 it was the most visited distillery in the world.
Sources and image credit
Sources: Wikipedia, Ole Smoky Distillery article (en.wikipedia.org), read on 20 October 2026.
What makes Ole Smoky distinctive?
Tennessee moonshine producer with unaged corn spirit and flavoured products
Ole Smoky whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
No confirmed regular whisky bottle to compare | NAS / varies | Check label | Tennessee moonshine producer with unaged corn spirit and flavoured products |
These expressions are documented or historical references, not a live shop catalogue. Check the official producer for current age, ABV, release date and stock.
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Frequently asked questions about Ole Smoky
Where is Ole Smoky?
Tennessee, United States.
Who is behind Ole Smoky?
Ole Smoky distilling business.
What is special about Ole Smoky?
Tennessee moonshine producer with unaged corn spirit and flavoured products.
Which whisky expressions are documented?
There is no confirmed regular mature whisky expression in the existing research.
Can you visit Ole Smoky?
Check the current distillery website for tours and opening arrangements before travelling.
Sources and editorial checks
Whisky Clan retains the original history and sources above. Ownership, whisky range and visitor conditions may change.
The photograph shows a retail display of Ole Smoky bottles in California, not the Gatlinburg distillery. Moonshine and whisky products should not be treated as interchangeable.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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