Sipping on History: A Moonshine Tasting Tour at Sugarlands Distilling Company

Moonshine has long been a symbol of the American South, evoking images of rugged individualism, bootleggers, and the thrill of the forbidden. But Moonshine may seem like an unknown and mysterious elixir for those who have never tasted it. That’s where Sugarlands Distilling Company comes in and enlightens. Located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, this distillery offers a unique Moonshine Tasting Tour that provides visitors with the chance to sample a variety of flavors and the opportunity to learn even more about the history of Moonshine.

A Taste of Southern Tradition

Open 364 days a year, the Sugarlands Distilling Company provides visitors with a fun and unique Moonshine tour. Moreover, this tour is the perfect blend of education and indulgence. Immerse yourself in the rich history and craft of moonshining while savoring various delicious moonshine flavors. The tour, of course, includes a guided walk through the distillery, where visitors can see the moonshine-making process, from fermentation to distillation. Along the way, guests can taste a range of moonshine flavors, including classics like apple pie and peach and limited-edition flavors like The Daytona International Speedway and The Bristol Motor Speedway 60th Anniversary Corn Whiskey. 

Raise a Glass to Moonshine

Sugarlands Distilling Company offers a wide range of moonshine flavors, each with its own unique taste and character. Below are some of the many flavors available to sample. 

Appalachian Apple Pie Moonshine

Appalachian Apple Pie Moonshine is one of the most popular moonshine flavors offered by Sugarlands Distilling Company. This concoction is a delightful fusion of corn, barley, and rye, with a dash of natural apple juice, cinnamon, and other spices. The result? A tantalizing aroma and flavor that will warm your soul.

The Appalachian Apple Pie Moonshine is very unique. Instead of using red apples and pie seasonings like traditional apple pie Moonshines, Sugarlands Distilling Company starts with a green apple flavor. It builds in layers of sweet caramel flavor until the desired effect is achieved. 

Alcohol Content

Appalachian Apple Pie Moonshine is double-distilled for a smooth, clean finish and has a relatively high content of 50% ABV (100 proof).

Pairings and Suggestions

Shake up your taste buds by blending your Appalachian Apple Pie’ Shine with Tennessee whiskey, zesty berries, spicy ginger, tangy lime, cranberry, and a dash of mulling spices. It’s a sweet surprise you won’t want to miss!

Blockader’s Blackberry Moonshine

Blockader’s Blackberry Moonshine combines the sweet, natural tastes of ripe blackberries with the subtle floral notes of honeysuckle and lavender. This drink is a delicious concoction of corn, rye, and barley, with a twist of real blackberry juice and natural flavors that will leave your taste buds feeling sweet and fruity.

Using regional fruits to create distinctive moonshine flavors inspired the creation of this flavor, named “Blockader,” in honor of the bootleggers who transported illegal Moonshine during the Prohibition era. 

Alcohol Content

This Moonshine has an alcohol content of 40% ABV (80 proof). 

Pairings and Suggestions

Spice up your moonshine game by blending this drink with your favorite citrus flavor, plum, or peach juices. Your taste buds will overwhelmingly thank you for this sweet and refreshing concoction. Pair it with your beloved port wine cheese, or add a splash to your brunch champagne to give it extra oomph.

Jim Tom Hedrick’s Unaged Rye Moonshine

Jim Tom Hedrick’s Unaged Rye Moonshine is a tribute to the one and only Jim Tom Hedrick – the moonshiner extraordinaire and TV sensation. This Moonshine is made with a mash bill of 80% rye, 15% corn, and 5% malted barley, giving it a spicy and bold flavor profile. It is double-distilled and unaged, allowing the unique characteristics of the rye to shine through.

Jim Tom Hedrick’s Unaged Rye Moonshine is like a spicy tango between rye and toasted grains, with a dash of black pepper to keep things interesting. This award-winning Moonshine is so strong it’ll have you sippin’ and trippin’ like a pro!

Alcohol Content

This Moonshine has an alcohol content of 50% ABV (100 proof), making it a potent option for sipping or mixing into cocktails like a spicy margarita. 

Pairings and Suggestions

This Moonshine pairs well with dark chocolate, black cherry, sorghum, cola, and licorice. You can also change things up by substituting Jim Tom for gin in your next Tom Collins.

Cole Swindell’s Peppermint Moonshine

Cole Swindell’s Peppermint Moonshine is a special edition moonshine offered by Sugarlands Distilling Company in collaboration with country music star Cole Swindell. This Moonshine waltzes onto the tongue with a dazzling burst of flavor. Its delightful flavor is like a symphony of crispness, with a subtle undertone of cocoa and cream to add a touch of sophistication. This flavor is inspired by the holiday season and is a limited edition offering, available only during winter.

Alcohol Content

This Moonshine has an alcohol content of 40% ABV (80 proof). 

Parings and Suggestions

Cole’s Peppermint is the ultimate wingman, effortlessly blending with chocolate, black currant, grape, raspberry, strawberry, and mango mixers.

You can also spice up your fudge game or give your chocolate ice cream a cool twist with a dash of Cole Peppermint. 

Spice up your hot cocoa or tea in the winter with a dash of Cole’s Peppermint, and in the summer, give your berry cooler or iced tea a little kick with the same.

Blueberry Muffin Moonshine

Blueberry Muffin Moonshine has a layered flavor profile that includes the tartness of fresh blueberries and the sweetness of crumbled streusel. This taste works wonderfully as a complement to many traditional drinks, including mojitos and lemon drops. In addition to a natural blueberry taste, Sugarlands Blueberry Muffin Moonshine has a sweet finish, setting it apart from other blueberry-flavored spirits. Cocktails made with this one-of-a-kind liquor are delicious and visually stunning, thanks to their deep blue hue. 

Alcohol Content

This Moonshine has an alcohol content of 40% ABV (80 proof). 

Pairings and Suggestions

This Blueberry Muffin ‘Shine is the perfect partner in crime for lemon, spearmint, lavender, honey, and raspberry. They blend like a dream team. You can also turn your brunch into a berrylicious affair by adding a dash of Blueberry Muffin ‘Shine to your syrup and drizzling it over pancakes or waffles. It’s the perfect shake up to your routine!

These few are just some of the most popular flavors. If you plan to visit Sugarlands Distilling Company, try Pina Colada, Peanut Butter, and Jelly Moonshine. This distillery offers free samples, allowing guests to try several flavors until they find a favorite. After you find your flavor, you can enjoy it in the distillery’s bar or buy a bottle to take home. 

Enjoy The Rich Offerings

Sugarlands Distilling Company’s Moonshine Tour is an unforgettable experience. From classic flavors like Apple Pie and Root Beer Moonshine to unique offerings like Blueberry Muffin and Cole Swindell’s Peppermint Moonshine, there is a flavor for every palate. Each Moonshine is crafted with care and special attention to detail. Additionally, each features only the finest ingredients and traditional techniques. The tour is an opportunity to learn about the process of making Moonshine and to sample some of the best flavors on offer while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does The Moonshine Tasting Tour at Sugarlands Distilling Company Have To Offer?

The Moonshine tasting tour allows visitors to sample award-winning spirits, tour the still house, and interact with like-minded individuals. The tour is led by a professional tastemaker who provides tasting notes and cocktail ideas for every sample round. 

Can I Purchase Moonshine After The Tour?

Yes, you can purchase Moonshine after the tour. Once you sample a few flavors and find the one you like, you can head to our store to buy a bottle. 

Are Pets Allowed at Sugarlands Distilling Company?

Yes, Sugarlands Distilling Company allows pets on tour. 

For your next adventure in the world of spirits, DistililleryNearby is your ultimate partner. As avid supporters of the #DrinkLocal movement, we’ve designed our platform to make it easier for you to explore nearby distilleries. Whether you are starting out or already a connoisseur, our directory has you covered. 

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