Old Forge Distillery sits on Old Mill Avenue in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, making it one of the most accessible craft distilleries in the Smoky Mountains. Founded by Jimmy Calloway, a former auto parts distributor who caught the distilling bug after years of home brewing, the operation opened in 2014 in a 6,000-square-foot facility designed to handle both production and visitors. They focus on small-batch Tennessee whiskey, moonshine, and flavored spirits that capture the mountain heritage of the region. The distillery operates with a 500-gallon copper still and ages their whiskey in 15 and 30-gallon barrels, allowing for faster maturation in Tennessee’s humidity. Calloway partnered with experienced distillers to develop recipes that honor traditional Appalachian methods while meeting modern palates. The facility includes both production space and a tasting room where visitors can sample everything from traditional white lightning to barrel-aged Tennessee whiskey. What started as Calloway’s retirement project has become a legitimate player in Tennessee’s craft spirits scene, producing around 2,000 cases annually. The location puts you right in the heart of Pigeon Forge’s tourist corridor, but the focus remains on authentic mountain spirits rather than touristy gimmicks.