Ole Smoky Distillery "The Barn"

We love hitting Ole Smoky's Barn location when we're at The Island — it's got this cool glass-front design where you can actually watch them distilling moonshine right there. The $5 tasting basically pays for itself since you get a $5-off coupon, and let's be honest, you're probably buying a jar of something anyway. They've got the classics like white lightning but also weird stuff like banana pudding moonshine that somehow actually works.

The outdoor stage is what really sets this spot apart from their other locations. They do live bluegrass or country music daily, and there's something perfect about sipping moonshine samples while listening to mountain music in those rocking chairs. Fair warning though — weekends get absolutely slammed, and the tasting bar feels rushed when it's packed.

One thing that bugs some people is you can't pick your tasting flavors — they only pour whatever's featured that day. We've had friends drive over specifically wanting to try something and walk away disappointed. The staff here isn't quite as friendly as the Gatlinburg locations either, which is weird.

Oh and the parking situation is rough. You'll be walking about 200 yards from The Island's main lot, which isn't fun when it's hot or if you've got mobility issues. But hey, it's dog and family-friendly, so the kids can watch the still work while you do your thing. Just don't expect any actual distillery tours here — you'd need to head to The Holler for that.