Highly rated by visitors, Sugarlands Distilling Company in Gatlinburg, Tenn., has welcomed nearly 2 million guests since opening in the spring of 2014. Located near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the distillery offers an inviting mix of southern charm and handcrafted spirits. Its tasting room and distillery spaces are popular stops for travelers exploring the Smokies.
The distillery produces a wide range of moonshine flavors — 14 in total — that appeal to many tastes. Offerings include a 70-proof Root Beer, the 40-proof Blockader’s Blackberry, and a 50-proof Appalachian Apple Pie. For those seeking stronger expressions, Sugarlands also bottles 100-proof Mint Condition and 100-proof Silver Cloud Tennessee Sour Mash. The lineup aims to balance novelty flavors with traditional, higher-proof spirits for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Special editions honor local partnerships and personalities. The Mark and Digger’s Rye Apple celebrates the collaboration with Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes of the Discovery Channel series Moonshiners. These tie‑in releases underscore the distillery’s connection to regional moonshining lore while offering approachable, flavored spirits for visitors to sample.
Visitors can choose from several tour options. Free daily tours introduce the distillation process and the history behind Sugarlands, making them a convenient stop for most itineraries. For guests seeking a more intimate experience, premium tours with private tastings are available, providing guided samplings and deeper insight into specific products.
For a hands-on experience, the Distiller for the Day Workshops give participants the opportunity to spend a day with head distiller Greg Eidam. Workshop attendees learn the steps of moonshine production, from corn grinding through fermentation and distillation to the finished bottle. The program includes a working introduction to equipment and techniques, plus a provided lunch. Pricing for the Distiller for the Day experience is $250 per person and accommodates groups of two to ten people, making it suitable for couples, friends, or small groups interested in an immersive behind-the-scenes day.
Sugarlands Distilling Company has built a reputation for approachable visitor experiences and a diverse spirit portfolio that reflects both local tradition and contemporary tastes. Whether stopping in for a quick tasting, taking a premium tour, or signing up for the workshop, guests regularly praise the friendly staff, informative tours, and the opportunity to sample handcrafted moonshine flavors unique to the region.