Tennessee Shine Company Gatlinburg

The store is at 519 Parkway, right in the part of town that stays busy after dinner. The site says it is open late on weekends and all summer long. Posted hours are Monday through Thursday 10am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 11pm, and Sunday 12pm to 8pm. Sunday is the short day, so check ahead if that is when you are in town.

The phone is 865-325-1468, which is handy for confirming hours or asking about a group.

Tennessee Shine Company makes Tennessee moonshine in many flavors, from Straight Off the Still to fruit, dessert and spiced varieties, along with flavored whiskeys and bourbon. The product page lists the full range, and the staff can steer you toward what you like if you describe your usual drink.

The company's pages promise moonshine tastings at each store. They do not publish a tasting price, and the age rule is not spelled out, so expect to show ID and be 21 or older. Ask when you arrive what is included.

Downtown parking is limited, and the free Gatlinburg trolley is the easiest way to arrive without searching for a space. If you are building a tasting afternoon, the Parkway also has Ole Smoky's Barrelhouse and Sugarlands within a short walk, so you can compare styles on foot. The company also has Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and Wears Valley stores if you are traveling along the corridor.

With up to 8 moonshines and 5 bourbons on offer, pace yourself. Sip, set the cup down, and drink water between samples. Many visitors find it easier to decide on a bottle after hearing the staff describe how each flavor is meant to be served, whether neat, over ice or in a cocktail. Ask for a suggestion that suits a gift, since a sweet, familiar flavor is usually safer for friends who do not drink moonshine often.

You need to be 21 or older to sample, and you should plan for a designated driver or a rideshare afterward. Samples are small, but the proof is not.