How far is the distillery from Louisville?

Neeley Family Distillery is about 45 minutes northeast of Louisville in Sparta, Kentucky. It's in Gallatin County, off the main Bourbon Trail routes, so plan for a bit of a drive through rural Kentucky.

What makes their bourbon different from larger distilleries?

The Neeleys grow some of their own corn right on the property and handle most of the production themselves as a family operation. You're tasting spirits made in small batches with direct family involvement from grain to bottle, rather than mass-produced bourbon.

CRAFT DISTILLERY

Tennessee

Ole Smoky Distillery “6th & Peabody”

Nashville,

Tennessee

— Moonshine, Whiskey

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

COCKTAILS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🎵

Live Music

Honky-tonk atmosphere with acoustic guitars nightly

🥧

Apple Pie

Signature moonshine tastes like liquid dessert

🏛️

Historic Building

Converted downtown space buzzing with energy

🍹

Craft Cocktails

Bartenders turn moonshine into sophisticated mixology

🌙

First Legal

Tennessee’s first federally licensed moonshine distillery

🎭

Real Heritage

Founder’s family ran actual mountain moonshine

📞 (615) 647-8272

🌐 https://6thandpeabody.com/

📍 423 6th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Moonshine Culture Meets Music City

Ole Smoky Distillery’s Nashville outpost sits right in the heart of Music City at 6th and Peabody, bringing a taste of Smoky Mountain moonshine culture to the urban scene. Founded by Joe Baker and several partners in 2010, Ole Smoky started as Tennessee’s first federally licensed moonshine distillery in Gatlinburg before expanding to Nashville in 2013. The downtown location occupies a converted historic building that buzzes with the energy of live music and tourist foot traffic, creating a very different vibe from their mountain flagship. They specialize in flavored moonshines, whiskeys, and creative cocktails that lean heavily into Tennessee’s bootlegging heritage. The Nashville location functions more as a tasting room and cocktail bar than a full production facility, though you can still see some distilling equipment and learn about their process. Baker, who comes from a family with actual moonshine-running history in East Tennessee, wanted to legitimize and celebrate that Appalachian tradition while making it accessible to modern drinkers. The space feels part distillery tour, part honky-tonk bar, with live music many nights and bartenders who know how to mix their moonshine into surprisingly sophisticated cocktails.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Legal Moonshine With Live Music

This is moonshine culture brought downtown and made legal. While most craft distilleries focus on bourbon or rye, Ole Smoky built their reputation on flavored moonshines that would make traditionalists cringe but actually work—think Apple Pie, Banana Pudding, and Blackberry varieties that taste like liquid desserts rather than harsh corn whiskey. The Nashville location bridges the gap between Appalachian tradition and Music City tourism, offering live music alongside tastings in a way that feels authentically Tennessee rather than generically crafted. They’re also one of the few distilleries where you can get a proper cocktail made with house spirits, turning moonshine into mixology.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Honky-Tonk Vibes Real Mountain Heritage

You’ll walk into what feels like a moonshine-themed honky-tonk with copper stills as decoration and bartenders slinging cocktails made from their flavored spirits. The atmosphere is lively and touristy in the best way—this isn’t a quiet, contemplative tasting room but a place where groups come to sample unusual flavors and laugh about how the Banana Pudding moonshine actually tastes like banana pudding. The staff knows their products well and can guide you through tastings that range from traditional clear corn whiskey to dessert-like flavored varieties. Live music happens regularly, turning a simple tasting into more of an evening out. The space smells like caramel corn and sounds like Nashville—acoustic guitars, laughter, and the clink of mason jar glasses.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Different From Bourbon Worth the Detour

If you’re curious about moonshine culture or want something completely different from the typical bourbon trail experience, absolutely. This appeals to groups looking for a fun, interactive experience rather than serious whiskey nerds seeking craft distillery education. You’ll leave with stories about flavored moonshine varieties you never knew existed and probably a bottle of something that will make interesting conversation at parties. Don’t come expecting deep bourbon knowledge or contemplative tastings—this is entertainment with education mixed in. It’s particularly good for bachelorette parties, tourist groups, or anyone who wants to experience a slice of Tennessee culture that goes beyond country music.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

The location is easy to find in downtown Nashville, with decent street parking or nearby lots. Weekend evenings can get packed, especially when there’s live music, so arrive earlier if you want actual conversation with staff about the spirits. Try their Apple Pie moonshine—it’s their signature for good reason and tastes like liquid cinnamon apple pie. Ask about cocktail recommendations rather than just doing straight tastings; their bartenders know how to make these unusual spirits work in mixed drinks. If you’re a bourbon purist, keep an open mind—this is a different animal entirely, but it’s done well within its own category.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ole Smoky Distillery “6th & Peabody” — Visitor FAQ

What’s the difference between moonshine and regular whiskey?

Moonshine is typically unaged corn whiskey, clear and bottled straight from the still. Ole Smoky’s versions are legally produced and often flavored, unlike traditional harsh white whiskey. Their flavored varieties taste more like liqueurs than what you’d expect from moonshine.

Is this a working distillery or just a tasting room?

The Nashville location is primarily a tasting room and cocktail bar, though they do have some distilling equipment on display. Most production happens at their Gatlinburg facility, but you can still learn about their process and sample the full product line.

Which flavored moonshine should I try first?

Apple Pie is their signature and most approachable flavor—it literally tastes like liquid apple pie with cinnamon. If you want something more traditional, try the White Lightnin’ clear moonshine first, then work your way through the flavored varieties.

GETTING THERE

Find Ole Smoky Distillery “6th & Peabody”

📍423 6th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, USA

—

📞 (615) 647-8272

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