Seven films is this guide's honest shape: Gatlinburg's distillery map is two houses deep, and the page covers them properly instead of padding. The head-to-head opens it — Ole Smoky vs Sugarlands vs Tennessee Shine (the third is Pigeon Forge's, and the film says so), blue flame at 128 proof respected — then the two houses get their due.

Watch: first looks

3 videos · summaries from the actual guides

The BEST Moonshine in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge!? Ole Smoky vs Sugarlands vs Tennessee Shine

Melissa and Wes

Melissa and Wes run a 2025 moonshine quest across both towns: the Ole Smoky Holler in Gatlinburg (blue flame at 128 proof, fresh pineapple shine), then Sugarlands, then Tennessee Shine in Pigeon Forge - a head-to-head of the big three tasting rooms and the tradition behind them.

Key takeaways
  • The big three tasting rooms compared in one day: Ole Smoky, Sugarlands, Tennessee Shine
  • Ole Smoky's blue flame runs 128 proof - respect it
  • Moonshine tasting is a genuine Gatlinburg tradition, not just a tourist add-on

The Best Distillery Tasting Experience in America | Sugarlands Distilling

Brewzle

Brewzle's deep dive into Sugarlands Distilling: the tasting USA Today voted the number one tasting experience in America, plus the VIP tour - the stills, the 25-gallon barrels, and the bonded and cask-strength editions of the Roaming Man whiskey program, with DK guiding.

Key takeaways
  • USA Today voted Sugarlands the number one tasting experience in America
  • The standard tour is cheap; the VIP tour adds the deep whiskey program
  • Roaming Man comes in bonded and cask-strength editions from 25-gallon barrels

GUIDE TO TOP RATED MOONSHINE TASTINGS IN GATLINBURG, TN | OLE SMOKY & SUGARLANDS | EARTHQUAKE RIDE

K&E RV TV

K&E RV TV's January 2025 guide to Gatlinburg's top-rated tastings on an empty winter Parkway: Sugarlands first (their favorite, and the most organized), then the Ole Smoky whiskey tasting, then a spin on Earthquake The Ride to finish the night.

Key takeaways
  • January weeknights mean an empty Parkway and walk-in tastings
  • Sugarlands is the couple's favorite for organization
  • Pair a tasting night with Earthquake The Ride for the full Parkway evening

Sugarlands

Brewzle's deep dive covers the tasting USA Today voted America's number one, the VIP tour, and the Roaming Man whiskey program (25-gallon barrels, bonded and cask-strength editions). The newest film goes through the secret door: The Stave, Sugarlands' hidden speakeasy (new 2026), ending with filling, corking and wax-sealing your own bottle of the Infinity.

The Holler

Ole Smoky three ways: a January tasting-night guide (Sugarlands first for organization, then the Holler's whiskey side, Earthquake The Ride to finish), the 2023 new-flavors full tasting (with the reminder that Gatlinburg has two Ole Smoky rooms — the Holler and the Whiskey Barrelhouse), a fall walk through the Halloween-dressed store (jams, jellies, rubs, Bloody Mary mix), and the full 2022 experience with live music on the stage.

Watch: more views

3 videos · summaries from the actual guides

BRAND NEW 2023 FLAVORS AT OLE SMOKY DISTILLERY IN GATLINBURG, TN | FULL MOONSHINE TASTING & TOUR

K&E RV TV

K&E RV TV return to the Gatlinburg Holler for the new 2023 flavors: a full guided tasting and store tour covering the season's raspberry and mandarin orange releases, the 40-proof margarita shines and the strawberry mango favorite - and a reminder that Gatlinburg has two Ole Smoky rooms, the Moonshine Holler and the Whiskey Barrelhouse down the street.

Key takeaways
  • Gatlinburg has two Ole Smoky rooms: the Moonshine Holler and the Whiskey Barrelhouse
  • New flavors land seasonally (raspberry and mandarin orange for spring 2023)
  • Many shines are 40 proof and mild - built for sipping and mixing

A Gatlinburg Experience Most Visitors Don't Know About | Sugarlands Distillery | Smoky Mountains

Melissa and Wes

Melissa and Wes go inside Sugarlands' hidden speakeasy, The Stave (new in 2026): the secret-door entrance, a guided Roaming Man whiskey tasting and history lesson, then filling, corking, labelling and wax-sealing their own bottle of the Infinity whiskey to take home.

Key takeaways
  • The Stave is Sugarlands' hidden speakeasy, new in 2026, entered through a secret door
  • The experience ends with filling, corking and wax-sealing your own bottle
  • The Infinity was the room's middle-of-the-road pour - and the favorite

Ole Smoky Moonshine at The Holler - Gatlinburg in the Fall

Midways & Miles

A fall walk through the Ole Smoky Holler in Gatlinburg with Midways & Miles: the tasting bar's flavor lineup (watermelon, lemon tea shine, sour lime), the Halloween-decorated store, and the shelves of moonshine jams, jellies, popcorn dust, rubs and Bloody Mary mix that fill the retail side.

Key takeaways
  • The Holler is as much store as distillery - jams, jellies, rubs and mixes fill the shelves
  • Tastings run through fruit shines like watermelon and lemon tea shine
  • Fall visits get Halloween decorations around the room

Pace note

January weeknights mean an empty Parkway and walk-in tastings — the connoisseur's season.

Sources: the 7 videos on this page, filmed at distilleries in Gatlinburg (and one Pigeon Forge room in the comparison film, labeled as such).

Watch: the full set

1 videos · summaries from the actual guides

Ole Smoky Moonshine Experience - Tour, Tasting, Music, and More - Gatlinburg | Adventure 12

The Jackson Travels

The Jackson Travels do the full Ole Smoky Holler experience in 2022: a walk around the tucked-away Holler site, the guided tasting, live music on the outdoor stage, and the jars they took home - sour razzinberry (best chilled, they warn) and hunch punch among them.

Key takeaways
  • The Holler sits just off the main strip and runs live music on its stage
  • Sour razzinberry is a take-home favorite - serve it chilled
  • The guided tasting is the core of the visit; merch and jars follow

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