But, like any good, obstinate hillbilly, he persevered even as I grew more amenable to the notion, and nine months later, Ole Smoky opened its doors for the first time. ' | prices, stores, tasting notes and market data. In East Tennessee, the narrative of moonshine epitomizes the American spirit and is a key element of our cultural history. For exceptions and conditions, see. A lot of people down here are destitute, so we would eat any fruit we could find, says the author. When Ole Smoky Moonshine originally opened its doors, it was the first and only federally permitted distillery in the whole state of East Tennessee. Ole Smoky: THE VET CHUCK IS THE BEST - See 13,830 traveller reviews, 3,067 candid photos, and great deals for Gatlinburg, TN, at Tripadvisor. Centerview Capitals consumer fund is situated in Greenwich, Connecticut, and is dedicated only to investing in the consumer business in the United States of America. It was the first legal moonshine operation to open in the state of Tennessee after state laws changed to allow them in 44 counties. All those nice things we said about Ole Smoky Sour Apple? There is a $5 fee to sample the moonshine, which is a really reasonable price. Others saw that initial sale as a possible blip on the radar, one that may have a negative impact on the citys reputation as a tourist destination. The liquor is available in a variety of proofs for a range of tastes, with proofs ranging from 35 to 128 with a price tag of around $25. Tracked DELIVERY. The distillery, which is linked to the back of the building, is rather modest in comparison to the store, which sells moonshine and moonshine-themed products and souvenirs. In addition to our facilities in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Pittman Center, we also have warehouses across Sevier County, TN Baker expressed himself. 4. Furthermore, no moonshiner would open a gift shop to advertise his or her business. Joe Baker and several of his law partners built a distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, as soon as the legislation went into force. After going across a small stream, rocking seats, and a stage where live music is being performed, you will come across a real operational moonshine distillery. Come visit us! The historical component of moonshine was embraced by certain locations, like as southern Virginia, in an attempt to market it, but it has not become as fundamental to the character of the region as it has been with the Smoky Mountains. It is an honor for us to be recognized as one of the worlds most successful and rapidly expanding businesses. It was the Smoky Mountains wooded peaks that provided a canopy for Bakers forefathers and other moonshine distillers, many of whom were immigrants from Scotland and Ireland who chose to live in the area because of its familiar environment. It was Baker who came up with the name Ole Smoky as a tribute to the Great Smoky Mountains, and he invested nearly every penny he had, including mortgaging the building where he held his legal business, in the distillerys construction. We have a stage on our back patio where bands perform every night. Tariffs came and went, and they are no longer in effect. Ole Smoky Premieres New TV Spots With Season Debut Of Hit Show Moonshiners Ole Smoky produces the first legal moonshine in the state and is proud of its family moonshine recipe that is more than a century old. The walk-through museum is completely free, and it will undoubtedly give you a newfound respect for the moonshine you are about to sample. With only 40 proof, this Moonshine will go down as smoothly as a slice of apple pie. The Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, often known as The Holler, is the most visited distillery in the United States. And yes, coconut cream liqueur (17.5% ABV) is exactly what you get here, and it's every bit as incredible as it sounds. According to Nielsen, the distiller gained control of 70 percent of the moonshine market share in the previous year. It's advertised as being made from corn spirits, although it's unclear as to how (or if) this differentiates it from any of Ole Smoky's other moonshine varieties. At the start of the project, Baker admits that he and his team had no idea what they were getting themselves into. According to him, the distilleries, which give free samples, have been a boon to the local economy and tax income. In instance, during Prohibition in the 1920s, moonshine gained a great deal of the reputation that we identify with it today: edgy and illegally produced in small batches. .) As a youngster, I fantasized of one day taking over the candy kitchen, but fate had other ideas. I also cook on a regular basis, so after a trip to the market, Id whip up some delicious stuffed squash and gather the family around the television for a fun movie night! That is the backstory of the beers name, the brewery explains. The fact that we do it is a fundamental aspect of who we are, Baker explains. It is on the sweet side, as liqueurs tend to be, and can serve as an after-dinner drink on its own or maybe with a splash of cream. With Yee-Haw, he hopes to see it flourish in the same manner as Ole Smoky did, and for it to become an American classic, as well as an example of Southern brewing artisanship. Prior to arriving to the Ole Smoky Moonshine distillery, you will be greeted by the distinct scent of fermenting grains, which will ensure that you have arrived at the correct location. 2 of 76 Things To Do In Gatlinburg, Tennessee See all of the images (19 Photos) Distilled with eyebrow raising flavor. Everything from Mountain Java to Blue Flame will be available for tasting. Just barely. There are only a limited number of automobiles and dirt motorcycles available. Centerview Capital is a private equity firm. .u2c3225bd1d06c475682c711ed194e445 { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #000000!important; box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -moz-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -o-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); -webkit-box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.17); text-decoration:none; } .u2c3225bd1d06c475682c711ed194e445:active, .u2c3225bd1d06c475682c711ed194e445:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .u2c3225bd1d06c475682c711ed194e445 { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .u2c3225bd1d06c475682c711ed194e445 .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:#C0392B; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .u2c3225bd1d06c475682c711ed194e445 .postTitle { color:#000000; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .u2c3225bd1d06c475682c711ed194e445:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } You might be interested: How To Flavor Moonshine With Fruit? Ole Smoky Moonshine Cinnamon You may also like Quick view. Manufacturer Contact Information. Edwards stated that their distillery is mostly focused on whiskey production, however they do produce certain moonshine goods. This fruit is both sweet without being sickeningly sweet and bitter as a counterpoint to the sweetness. We can trace our family involvement with moonshine back to their Scots-Irish forefathers, who arrived in the Smoky Mountains during the latter part of the 1700s. As awardees on the Inc. David Yi is a self-described life-long student who has an unshakeable goal to be the greatest at anything he chooses to do. SmokyMountains.com is a website dedicated to the Smoky Mountains. It features an on-site distillery, soon-to-be-finished brewery, a stage with live music just about every night of the week, an outdoor courtyard with plenty of seating and outdoor games, multiple bars, two huge (21-by-11-foot) televisions, lots of . Ole Smoky Distillerys Joe Baker discusses the companys history. The strawberry flavor here is a lot less pronounced than in the plain strawberry 'shine of course, but that also tamps down on any artificiality. Ole Smoky Moonshine has a long and illustrious history in the Smoky Mountains. Moonshine Canned Cocktails. People in Eastern Tennessee and the Smoky Mountains appreciate moonshine production as a craft and its folkloric traditions, and you may find them in plenty. Hudson New York Corn Whiskey. The flavor of the Hunch Punch Lightnin' may not be one that appeals to us, but at least it's undeniably there. Sugarlands Distilling Co. She was so well-liked and revered that everyone referred to her as Chief. Nothing but domestically obtained ingredients are used in the production of moonshine, including all of the jars and labels that are used to package and sell the product (with the exception of a few flavors like vanilla that come from abroad). Its possible to use that $5 to purchase a jar of moonshine or another Ole Smoky product! Just like the rest of the cream liqueurs, Ole Smoky Butter Pecan is 17.5% ABV, so it's not something that's going to get you all liquored up. Visitors may sample their products for $5 at each site, and they can even purchase some of their famed shine to take home with them. While we don't dislike Ole Smoky's stab at strawberry booze, it's not something we'd go out of our way to acquire either. That irony is not lost on me because I used to be a lawyer. They opened the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen in 1950, and it has since evolved to become a must-see attraction in the area for tourists. Always have a backup plan or an exit strategy in place, or just be extremely cognizant of what the market is willing to bear. Its as real as the moonshine his family has been distilling for generations, and Johnny Baker employs his hillbilly dialect to great advantage as he entertains tourists at his Gatlinburg distillery. When he was in college at Georgetown University in the mid-90s, people approached him and asked if he could hook them up with moonshine as soon as they learned he was from East Tennessee. Listen to this article by using the Play button. Joe Baker and several of his law partners built a distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, as soon as the legislation went into force. And now, youve expanded far beyond the original dream! Were thrilled to have such a wide variety of delicious culinary alternatives nearby. Give it some time if you havent yet experienced the emptiness that comes with possessing stuff. Were actually cooking from a real family recipe that Doc Collier utilized, Keyes explained. Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce listing It is possible for Ole Smoky to be so bold because, around a decade ago, numerous states, including Tennessee, amended their rules to permit the manufacturing of whiskey and other distilled spirits in their respective states. The maize is sourced from a farm that is less than 20 miles distant from the distillerys location. One Tennessee lawyer was keeping an eye on the legislative process. According to King, each family had its own formula for moonshine, which they flavored with fruit to make it more pleasant. It is important to be kind. Each company on the list provides a unique window into the most successful enterprises inside the most dynamic part of the American economyits independent small businesses. Followed by a 13 sample tasting of our finest moonshine and whiskey!Reservations required. His theory is that the fact that moonshine has such a problematic history contributes to its appeal. Sorry, there was a problem saving your cookie preferences. In addition to a visit from the Today Show and an appearance on Martha Stewart Living Radio, the launch of Ole Smokys was covered extensively in the media. But thats exactly what has happened. From its humble beginnings as a seven-person business, the company has grown to include more than 230 employees. (Admittedly that's pretty much Ole Smoky's whole shtick,what with the "ole" in its name, plus turning moonshining's sordid history intotoday's tourist attraction, per Business Wire.) Maggie Kimberl, content editor for American Whiskey Magazine and president of the Bourbon Women Association, believes that moonshine cant rely on its folklore roots for very long to be successful. Once the cherries have been consumed, which will not take long, you will have Cherry Moonshine on your hands. The most difficult task we have is meeting the increasing demand for our products. They have grown so popular that they were awarded the Hot Brand award by M. Shanken Communications, a renowned publication in the wine and spirits business in the United States, in 2018. In Pigeon Forge, a second distillery, named The Barn, opened its doors in the fall of 2014. Moonshine is the term given to the clear, un-aged corn whiskey because of the way it was traditionally produced: at night in a secret backwoods location, under the light of the full moon. Ole Smoky Distillery, the most visited distillery in the world and #1 moonshine brand in the U.S., has released its latest moonshine fruits and veggies product, Moonshine Pineapples with Pia Colada. Tours Available Daily at the Holler in Gatlinburg and 6th & Peabody in Nashville, Hiring Retail Associates & Bartenders at Our Nashville Distillery. It wasnt until the 1860s that the federal government instituted a more permanent tax on alcoholic beverages in order to raise funds for the Civil War. It will become apparent as we approach the top of the list, that we think Ole Smoky has really found its niche not with the plain unembellished white whiskey of its straight-up moonshine but with its cream liqueurs. Like the rest of Ole Smoky's cream-based liqueurs, Mountain Java is just 17.5% ABV. There is a lot of innovation among the moonshine people, Kimberl says. Tennessee Moonshine, the nations largest distiller of quality moonshine, today announced that it has received a major equity investment from private equity company Centerview Capital. In front of the Ole Smoky Moonshine gift shop is a tranquil courtyard area with rocking seats, a small stream, and a stage where live music may be heard during peak hours. However, the whiskey is then aged, whereas the moonshine is distilled and sold. GOLD SNOWFLAKE SPINNER ORNAMENT. Ole Smoky Moonshine Cherriesmake a great replacement for maraschinos as a garnish in fruity mixed drinks, plus the cherry-flavored booze itself makes an excellent mixer. Not the money, because there are only so many cars and dirt motorcycles in the world, but the satisfaction I have from my profession. Welcome to Americas most visited distillery. Youll discover all of the companys hallmark varieties in this section, including White Lightnin and Apple Pie Moonshine, among others. Its possible to use that $5 to purchase a jar of moonshine or another Ole Smoky product! Knoxville News Sentinel story on grand opening. The whiskey line is going to be a great addition to Ole Smokys collection of moonshines, says Joe Baker, founder of Ole Smoky Moonshine. You could think of it as moonshine's answer to Calvados, except in addition to its apple flavoring it also has cinnamon and other spices that play up on the whole resemblance to pie. HOURS: FRI - SAT: 10AM - 11PM. Bluegrass artists perform from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mid-July sees a continuous flow of people on the streets. However, now that it is legal, it has grown into a significant industry for one Tennessee distillery, whose roots may be traced back to the early settlers in the Smoky Mountains. Knoxville News Sentinel story on grand opening Founder and CEO Robert Hall estimates that Ole Smoky attracts 4 million people every year (in pre-pandemic times, at least). It makes me long for the TGIF television schedule and for the days when I didnt have to worry about whether or not a particular food item would stain my mouth a vivid blue color. In addition to seeing the distillation process up close, visitors will also be able to learn about the history of moonshine manufacturing in the Great Smoky Mountains. Harkening back to its homegrown roots, Ole Smoky Original Moonshine is made with the same renegade attitude of its forefathers. It certainly tasted delicious, but it was also enjoyable to be able to share it. The Holler is one of Ole Smokys four sites, and it is a bar and restaurant. Error posting question. Individuals stroll in, pawing at the jars and T-shirts, and sidling up to the bar to sample the renowned booze. It presently employs 700 people and produces moonshine throughout the United States. As Hall points out, We have a marketing engine in the form of our distilleries. At the Holler, there are Mason jars filled with apple pie moonshine. If you agree, well also use cookies to complement your shopping experience across the Amazon stores as described in our Cookie Notice. Offering a compelling narrative, on the other hand, is insufficient. , may be one of the oldest types of flavored moonshines and yes, flavored 'shine does date back to the days when the stuff was made illegally. While this flavor is not available as a standalone at present, it would rate pretty highly with us if it were. SILVER SNOWFLAKE SPINNER ORNAMENT. Consumer investments made by Centerview include The Nielsen Company, Del Monte Foods, and Richelieu Foods, to name a few. I had my doubts in the beginning, but today Im pleased to call myself a moonshiner and to have earned the title. Our hundred-year-old recipe produces a white whisky as smooth and bright as the promise of a Saturday night when anything can happen and likely will. The location is 354239N 833110W / 35.71087N 83.51936W. Centerview Capitals consumer fund is situated in Greenwich, Connecticut, and is dedicated only to investing in the consumer business in the United States of America. And, while not everyone in the wider whiskey community is enthusiastic about this new world of legal, flavored moonshine, there is a market for it in the United States. No one a hundred years ago wouldve imagined locating their operations just a few yards from the sidewalk on the main drag of one of Tennessees most popular tourist destinations, where the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum and a replica of the Space Needle compete for your attention. Theres even a crop top that says, Feelin good, drinkin shine. That success has aided other whiskeys popularity, such as bourbon, which is marketed with the enticing vision of Kentuckys green, rolling hills and stone rickhouses with charred oak barrels that gradually inhale and exhale the booze until it turns a caramel hue and tastes luxurious. We should be back to neutral in Canada now that the tariffs imposed by that country have been lifted, says the official. First Federally Licensed Distillery in East Tennessee VIEW PRODUCTS. Prior to arriving to the Ole Smoky Moonshine distillery, you will be greeted by the distinct scent of fermenting grains, which will ensure that you have arrived at the correct location. Ole Smoky Shine Nog tastes pretty amazing on its own either chilled or at room temperature - unlike eggnog from the dairy case, there's no need to refrigerate the jar unless you want to. Ole Smoky is apparently trying to be all things - or at least all boozes to all people. Ole Smoky was founded in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee by Joe Baker, Cory Cottongim, and Tony Breeden in 2010. Ole Smoky is a slang term for a person who smokes cigarettes. Following the passage of a new state law that relaxed limitations on distilleries, the city commission of Gatlinburg issued regulations in 2013 in an attempt to govern the distilleries. , with 15-minute pauses every hour, in an outdoor performance space that wraps around the building. It is the power to generate new employment, he explained. It has been over 10 years since laws passed by the state of Tennessee turned craft moonshine into a big business though, and the novelty has long since worn off. Determine whether the brand of your ole smoky moonshine flavor matters or not. The following is a description of Ole Smoky Distillery LLC: Old Smoky is the worlds largest producer of quality moonshine and the worlds first federally permitted distillery in the history of East Tennessee, according to its website. As a result, he and two other lawyer friends decided to combine something that was already deeply embedded in the region with something else that was also deeply ingrained in the Smokies: tourism. Business is booming right now, Ole Smoky Distillery CEO Robert Hall told Maria Bartiromo Opens a New Window. GATLINBURG, Tenn., July 20, 2022 -- ( BUSINESS WIRE )-- Ole Smoky Distillery, the most visited distillery in the world and #1 moonshine brand in the U.S., is reintroducing its popular sour . When youre a youngster, you believe anything your parents tell you to believe. Bakers roots accompanied him as he grew into a mature adult. While Shine Nog is also a cream liqueur, with an ABV of 17.5% it seems to be somewhat lighter in texture than eggnog should be. Ready to live a little?First, we need some ID! If you have the stomach to drink sweet liqueurs straight up, you'll find thatOle Smoky's Sour Watermelon tastes very much like a watermelonJolly Rancher, albeit a slightly boozy one. His theory is that the fact that moonshine has such a problematic history contributes to its appeal. In addition to Tennessee, its moonshine products are now accessible in 49 states and Canada, having previously only been sold to visitors to the distillery. In fact, you can mix it with hot apple cider to make an extra apple-y cold weather drink. Complete results of the Inc. Shelves line the walls, containing the mason jar, which is the favored storage vessel for moonshine. Dranken. I had no intention of becoming a moonshiner. B-21. Jessi Baker, our newest FACE of Nashville, has joined us! White Lightnin (100 Proof) Ole Smoky has a few other locations as well. See the following list for all of their locations: A place called The Holler may be found at 903 Parkway, Suite 128, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. Eau de cleaning chemicals, we'd call it, and the diluted Ty-d-bol blue hue does nothing to dispel those associations. In a nutshell, Apple Pie is a mixture of cinnamon, apple juice, apple cider, and a few other spices that tastes like a delicious after-dinner drink. Ole Smoky is one of the most beloved distilleries of our times and has quickly become the most visited distillery in the United States. with all orders! We have some of the top Americana artists in the region, and we have a lot of them Jay Miller, a representative for the company, stated Doc Collier Moonshine, the towns newest distillery, was established in March 2014 by Phillip Don Collier, Kay Collier-Pittman, and Brent Collier. However, it all started with the application for a distillery submitted by Ole Smoky Moonshine. Baker, a UT football enthusiast and all-American family man, grew up in Sevierville, a tiny town hidden in the Great Smoky Mountains 14 miles from Gatlinburg and known for its apple orchards. And then theres the merchandise. Our forebears, who were rebellious, resourceful, and fiercely independent, mastered the technique of brewing superb whiskey in the Smoky Mountains more than a century ago, said Joe Baker, Chairman of Ole Smoky Distilling Company. Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. Book a tour and our tour specialist will gladly show you how we do it down south. Here are the best moonshine brands out there. Nose:: Buttery smoke. It was competitive and made you want to sell more than the person beside of you. There isnt any heat. Its as real as the moonshine his family has been distilling for generations, and Johnny Baker employs his hillbilly dialect to great advantage as he entertains tourists at his Gatlinburg distillery. We were on the verge of running out of money. During the 2009 legislative session, the General Assembly enacted legislation that made distilleries lawful in 41 Tennessee counties. Original is, we presume, the first product offered by Ole Smoky, and we can see how it might have been a must-try product back when the whole idea of legal moonshine was new. We use cookies and similar tools that are necessary to enable you to make purchases, to enhance your shopping experiences and to provide our services, as detailed in our Cookie Notice. Spirit: Ole Smoky Original Moonshine, from Ole Smoky Distillery, Gatlinburg Tennessee. Somehow, strawberry-flavored anything always comes across as ever-so-slightly artificial, possibly because while the sweetness of the fruit is retained, the tanginess always seems to get lost. In the fall, however, we love mixing it into mulled cider and could imagine it working well with mulled wine too. If yes, ensure that your ole smoky moonshine flavor brand is well known for producing high-quality products without any faults. This is the first time that Ole Smoky Distillery has been named to the Inc. 5000 list, and it is particularly appropriate given that we are celebrating our tenth anniversary this year, says Robert Hall, CEO of Ole Smoky Distillery. The companys downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee site is home to two operational copper stills. Objection to the law and to taxes helped to shape the public perception of moonshine. My grandmother worked at the candy shop every day, setting a good example and making a difference in peoples lives through the employment she provided to others in our neighborhood. Perhaps the most popular of all the Ole Smoky offerings at present are the Moonshine Cherries, thanks to the fact that this boozy fruit (or fruity booze) is currently trending on TikTok. Whiskey manufacturing had traditionally been confined to the counties of Moore, Coffee, and Lincoln in Southeast Tennessee, which were home to the Jack Daniels, George Dickel, and Prichards distilleries, among other producers. Moonshine is a type of whiskey made from maize, but its also a long-standing protest against the system. It takes all in me not to anticipate a kick that never arrives. 21 Popular Ole Smoky Moonshine Flavors Ranked, Ole Smoky is a brand that's made its name through the great American tradition of taking something with a shady past and turning it into a modern-day money-maker. Even if you dont end up purchasing anything, the $5 Moonshine tasting and distillery tour make this a worthwhile pit trip. Objection to the law and to taxes helped to shape the public perception of moonshine. 500 Millilitres. ex. 5000 is an annual ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. Weve distilled our proud history that spans generations into 158 words for youcause were really good at distilling things. Even if you dont end up purchasing anything, the $5 Moonshine tasting and distillery tour make this a worthwhile pit trip. Come visit us! The original Ole Smoky Moonshine distillery near Gatlinburg, often known as The Holler, is the most visited distillery in the United States. How To Flavor Moonshine With Fruit? When Tennessee state law was altered to allow for the distillation of spirits, Ole Smoky Distillery, LLC became the first federally permitted distillery in the history of East Tennessee, and the first in the state of Tennessee. It is offered at retail and on-premises in 49 states and Canada, as well as the United Kingdom. In front of the Ole Smoky Moonshine gift shop is a tranquil courtyard area with rocking seats, a small stream, and a stage where live music may be heard during peak hours. of FOX Business on Thursday. Chris Monroe is a contributor to CNET. Stephanie Warner may be reached at 858.752.1345 or [emailprotected] for media inquiries. Theres a variety of creme moonshine available in flavors such as butter pecan banana pudding and vanilla bean. As early as the early 1900s, when the government enacted regulations to restrict the production of spirits, our forefathers were certain that outsiders should not be allowed to interfere in their business. Smoky Moonshine (also known as Ole Smoky Moonshine) The Gatlinburg distillery, which operates out of the Ole Smoky Moonshine Holler, a weathered wooden edifice designed to imitate backwoods stills and mountain gristmills, currently produces fifteen different kinds of moonshine, including Apple Pie, Sweet Tea, and Peach. Thats what distinguishes it from the others. In addition to this, distilleries such as Ole Smoky must grapple with the question of how to move customers away from the consumption of Southern culture as an amusement. or that we will be able to do everything at once. As a youngster, I fantasized of one day taking over the candy kitchen, but fate had other ideas. Official website And, while not everyone in the wider whiskey community is enthusiastic about this new world of legal, flavored moonshine, there is a market for it in the United States. That slice of culture, distilled and bottled in East Tennessee, is spreading well beyond its borders, delivering 25 different tastes to all 50 states as well as 40 nations across the world. We feel that peaches pair better with a more flavorful liquor such as brandy, rum, or bourbon something that is strong yet has a bit of sweetness. The bottom line is as follows: A visit to Ole Smoky Moonshine is a once-in-a-lifetime Appalachian adventure. Read our blog post, The History of Smoky Mountain Moonshine, to discover more about the history of moonshine and how it came to be.