In Search of Moonshine

View from Newfound Gap on US441

It was a cold January day when Nancy and I decided to take the day off and head to Gatlinburg, Tennessee in search of moonshine. Perfect time to drive through the Smoky Mountain National Park.  Winter visitors find less traffic and a clear, crisp day provides some fantastic views.

After seeing an elk wandering a residential home in Gatlinburg, We had hoped to spy an elk or two in the Great Smokies, but they were nowhere to be found. We had seen one of these magnificent animals a week before wandering around a residential yard along US19 in Maggie Valley.

We found three great moonshiner distilleries in Gatlinburg, our longtime favorite Ole Smoky Moonshine, and new kids on the block Sugarlands Distilling and Davy Crockett’s Tennessee Whiskey. All three distilleries were cooking and provided free samples. You can even purchase our local moonshiner’s secret blend of Moonshine from Jim Tom and Mark at Sugarlands.

It was a fun trip, one that we highly recommend any time of year.  CLICK HERE to read the details and see our photos.

Elk in Maggie Valley