Sugarlands Distilling Company
5.0(34K)google
4.8(1.1K)yelp
Wine TastingYouth-FriendlyDate SpotIndoorLocal LifeLocal FavoriteLive Demonstration
Overview
Situated on the bustling downtown strip of Gatlinburg, Sugarlands Distilling Company offers a highly energetic and authentic taste of legendary Appalachian moonshine culture. The rustic, barn-inspired facility welcomingly invites visitors to taste a wide variety of innovative moonshine flavors, including Apple Pie, Maple Bacon, and Blackberry, led by comedic and knowledgeable tasting bartenders. Beyond tastings, guests can view the massive copper pot stills, learn about the historic corn-mash distillation process, and enjoy live bluegrass music on the outdoor patio.
Practical Info
Every day10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Suggested Duration1-1.5 hours
Best TimeBest experienced from May to October on weekday afternoons between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. This frames the optimal hours to avoid heavy weekend mountain tourist crushes, letting you leisurely pull up a stool at the rustic timber bars for their famous, fully narrated $5 artisan moonshine tasting flights.
Getting ThereLocated directly on the bustling main Gatlinburg Parkway strip at 805 Parkway. Driving right to the doors is chaotic; utilizing the multi-level municipal McMahan Parking Garage down the block is highly advised. The town's color-coded Trolley lines drop passengers within steps of the stone entryway.
Travel Tips
- Per Tennessee ABC regulations, entering the retail floor is unrestricted, but participating in the $5 moonshine tasting counter requires a valid, government-issued photo ID (international travelers must display original physical passports; digital images or photocopies are denied) with zero exceptions for perceived age.
- The $5 fee required for the tasting counter is legally distributed back to the consumer as a retail coupon. This voucher is valid strictly on same-day purchases of merchandise or full-sized moonshine jars inside the distillery store and expires at closing; use it before exiting to offset your cost.
- The distillery fronts the high-traffic Gatlinburg Parkway sidewalk. During weekend peaks, tasting lines queue heavily; state law prohibits removing tasting cups from the designated indoor counter footprint, and open consumption on public sidewalks violates local open container statutes, risking immediate citation.
Reviews
Positive
- Located in downtown Gatlinburg, the storefront features an incredible American vintage log cabin style, presenting diverse moonshines beautifully.
- A tasting pass costs just a few dollars, featuring witty bartenders who crack jokes while guiding you through over a dozen flavors, maximizing fun.
- The indoor crowd order is well-organized. Despite heavy tasting crowds, queuing and group splitting run smoothly with exceptionally friendly service.
- The tasting fee converts directly into a voucher for purchasing moonshine bottles or apparel, offering clear pricing and highly satisfying value.
Heads up
- Being an alcohol-centric venue, the interior gets incredibly noisy and loud during afternoon and evening peaks, uncomfortable for those seeking quiet.
- The tasting area lacks multilingual info, and bartenders speak lightning-fast with American slang, leaving non-native tourists unable to follow along.
- There is absolutely no dedicated parking in front, requiring guests to walk or pay for expensive downtown public lots, lowering convenience.
- The tasting counters are high and space is cramped without designated seating, offering zero wheelchair access and making interaction hard for disabled guests.