CRAFT DISTILLERY

Adventure Distilling Company

Cosby,
Tennessee
— Whiskey, Moonshine, Liqueur

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🏔️
Park Gateway
Literally next to Great Smoky Mountains
👀
See It Made
Watch distilling through tasting room windows
🌙
Heritage Moonshine
Traditional recipes meet modern techniques
🔧
Built for Visitors
Custom facility designed for tours
👫
Owner Operated
Mark and Tonya often pour tastings
🥃
Tennessee Whiskey
Meets strict state requirements, small batches
📞 (423) 623-6844
🌐 https://www.adventuresmokies.com/distillery/
📍 4649 Hooper Hwy, Cosby, TN 37722, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Gateway to the Smokies With Whiskey in Hand

Adventure Distilling Company sits right on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cosby, Tennessee, making it literally the closest distillery to America’s most visited national park. Founded by husband-and-wife team Mark and Tonya Huff, who left their corporate careers behind to chase a dream of craft distilling in the mountains they love. They opened their doors in 2015 after spending years perfecting their recipes and navigating Tennessee’s distilling regulations. The distillery operates out of a custom-built facility on Hooper Highway that’s designed specifically for both production and visitor experiences, with large windows letting you watch the distilling process while you taste. They focus on Tennessee whiskey, moonshine, and flavored spirits that capture the essence of Smoky Mountain traditions. Mark handles the production side with a background in engineering, while Tonya manages the business operations and visitor experience. Their approach blends modern distilling techniques with Appalachian heritage, creating spirits that reflect both innovation and regional character. The location puts you right at the gateway to outdoor adventures, which fits perfectly with their brand identity of combining craft spirits with mountain exploration.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Closest Distillery to America's Most Visited Park

What sets Adventure Distilling apart is their strategic location as the closest distillery to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making them a natural stop for the park’s 12 million annual visitors. They’ve built their entire brand around the adventure theme, with spirits named after outdoor activities and local landmarks. Their production philosophy centers on small-batch distilling with a focus on Tennessee whiskey that meets the strict state requirements, plus a line of traditional and flavored moonshines that pay homage to the region’s bootlegging history. The Huffs designed their facility from the ground up to be visitor-friendly, with production areas visible from the tasting room so you can see exactly how everything’s made while you sample.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Watch the Process While You Taste

You’ll walk into a modern tasting room with mountain views and large windows overlooking the production floor where you can watch the distilling process in action. The staff, often including the owners themselves, guide you through tastings of their Tennessee whiskey, various moonshine flavors, and seasonal offerings while explaining their production methods and the stories behind each spirit. The atmosphere is relaxed and educational, with plenty of Smoky Mountain character but none of the artificial touristy feel you might expect. You can see their copper stills and fermentation tanks up close, and the team is genuinely passionate about explaining the science and craft behind what they’re doing.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Perfect Smoky Mountain Whiskey Stop

If you’re heading to or from the Smokies, this is definitely worth the stop, especially for whiskey and moonshine enthusiasts who want to taste authentic Tennessee spirits without the crowds of Gatlinburg. The location makes it perfect for combining with outdoor activities, and the owners’ genuine passion for their craft comes through in every interaction. It’s not going to blow your mind if you’re a seasoned distillery visitor, but it offers solid spirits, good education about the process, and that authentic mountain experience that many tourist-heavy distilleries have lost. Families will appreciate the welcoming atmosphere, though obviously the kids will be watching the process rather than tasting.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead or check their website before visiting, as hours can vary seasonally and they sometimes close for private events. The distillery is easy to find on Hooper Highway, with clear signage and adequate parking. If you’re staying in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, it’s about a 20-minute drive to a much quieter, more authentic experience. Ask about their production schedule when you visit – seeing the actual distilling process adds a lot to the experience. Try their Tennessee whiskey alongside their traditional moonshine to understand the difference in production methods and flavor profiles.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Adventure Distilling Company — Visitor FAQ

How close is Adventure Distilling to the national park entrance?
They’re literally right at the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making them the closest distillery to the park entrance. You can easily combine a distillery visit with your Smokies adventure.
Do I need to make a reservation for tastings?
Reservations aren’t typically required for regular tastings, but it’s smart to call ahead especially during peak tourist seasons or if you’re bringing a large group. Hours can vary seasonally too.
What’s the difference between their Tennessee whiskey and moonshine?
Their Tennessee whiskey is aged in charred oak barrels and follows strict state regulations, while moonshine is unaged clear spirit. During tastings, they’ll explain the production differences and let you taste both to understand the flavor profiles.

GETTING THERE

Find Adventure Distilling Company

📍4649 Hooper Hwy, Cosby, TN 37722, USA

 — 

📞 (423) 623-6844

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