If you’re looking for variety in your “ruckus juice,” be sure to make a trip to Smith Creek Moonshine.
Located in Tanger Outlets in Pigeon Forge, Smith Creek Moonshine has become a fast favorite for both tourists and locals.
Current featured flavors include Sweet Tea, Apple Pie, Salted Caramel, Lemon Lime, Peach, Chocolate Silk, and Butter Cake. Other flavors at the distillery and tasting bar are Straight (which “might send ya crying for your mama”), Coffee, Orange Cream, Ginger Snap, and Cinnamon.
Moonshine is originally the slang term for high proof distilled spirits usually produced illicitly, without government authorization. Distilled in backwoods Appalachia since the 1800s, many families in the area made a living from it because the liquor could be produced and sold quickly, as it didn’t require years of aging in barrels.
During the recession a decade ago, a number of states — including Tennessee — looked for ways to generate employment and keep tax revenue rolling in. One way to accomplish this was to loosen laws regulating distilleries.
In 2009, Tennessee legislature opened dozens of other counties to business, including several in eastern Tennessee that had been home to unlawful moonshine production for decades.
And now — if you’re 21 years or older — you can visit Smith Creek Moonshine for free moonshine tastings.
There’s also a retail store with bottled shines, apparel, jams, sauces, and dry rubs.
If you just can’t get enough of that bold flavor, Smith Creek Moonshine even has recipes on its Web site: Pappy’s Mountain Milk, The Shiners Coffee, Ginger Moonshine Mule, Citrus and Thyme Shine, The Orange Shandy, The Peach Margarita, Shiner’s Wife Mary, The Creamy Caramel Shake, and The Copper Arnold Palmer.
Smith Creek Moonshine is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Be sure to look for great deals in Best Read Guide!
Check out our great coupon for Smith Creek Moonshine: