Brushy Mountain Distillery sits on Highway 116 in Petros, Tennessee, a small town that was once home to the notorious Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. The distillery takes its name from this historic prison, which housed famous inmates like James Earl Ray. Founded by local entrepreneurs who saw an opportunity to transform the area’s reputation from incarceration to craft spirits, they opened their doors to give visitors a taste of authentic Tennessee moonshine and whiskey. The operation focuses on traditional mountain distilling methods, producing small batches of moonshine, whiskey, and flavored spirits that pay homage to the region’s bootlegging heritage. You’ll find them in a modest facility that feels more like a working distillery than a tourist attraction, though they welcome visitors who want to learn about their process and sample their products.