Top Distinctions: Best Moonshine Brands Worth a Try

Moonshine, with its storied past and intriguing allure, has seen a resurgence in popularity over recent years. As modern enthusiasts and adventurous sippers seek out authentic and exceptional quality, a host of brands have emerged to satisfy this burgeoning demand. Whether you're looking for a traditional corn-based recipe or innovative flavors that push the boundaries of conventional spirits, the market offers a range of options that can cater to both purists and experimentalists alike. To uncover the top brands that should be on your radar for an unparalleled moonshine experience, explore the list below.

Illustration of moonshine

Best brands of moonshine in 2025

Ole Smoky

Ole Smoky Distillery, a leading producer of moonshine, has been recognized as the world's most visited distillery from 2020 to 2022, attracting over 5.7 million visitors in 2021. Founded in 2010 as the first federally licensed distillery in East Tennessee, Ole Smoky has captured significant market share, holding 70% of the moonshine market in 2020. Retailing 15 flavors of moonshine both nationally and globally, the distillery's sales reached $118 million in 2020. Ole Smoky has received numerous awards, including Growth Brand Awards for its whiskey line and the popular Salty Caramel Whiskey flavor. Honoring its roots in the Smoky Mountains' earliest settlers, Ole Smoky continues to expand its product line, introducing canned cocktails and premium whiskeys.

Sugarlands

Sugarlands Distilling Company is a leading producer of high-quality moonshine, known for its authentic and traditional distillation methods rooted in the history of the Great Smoky Mountains. Founded in 2014 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the company has experienced rapid growth, with a 40% annual growth rate, and now distributes its products to 46 states. Sugarlands Distilling has expanded its operations with a new 25,000-sq-ft distillery and barrel house in Kodak, Tennessee, enabling the production of over 5,000 barrels per year and over a million cases annually. The company's products, such as Silver Cloud and Jim Tom's Signature Unaged Rye, have received numerous awards, including the 'Best in Class Platinum' at the International SIP Awards. With a strong focus on community and responsible drinking, Sugarlands Distilling continues to innovate and meet the growing demand for moonshine, projected to increase at a 6.50% CAGR through 2034. For more information, visit their official website.

Midnight Moon

Midnight Moon, founded by Piedmont Distillers, is a leading brand in the moonshine industry, known for its authentic and high-quality products. Since its launch in 2007, Midnight Moon has outpaced the competition by a 2:1 ratio and is on track to sell over 500,000 nine-liter cases annually. The brand attributes its success to traditional handcrafting methods, including hand-packing jars with real fruit, which enhances the flavor profile. Midnight Moon has experienced significant growth, with sales growing 2.9% year-over-year in the off-premise market as of 2023. This brand is a key player in the moonshine market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2022 to 2032. For more details on their success in the moonshine industry, you can read the Midnight Moon press release.

Stillhouse

Stillhouse is a prominent brand in the moonshine market, known for its innovative and durable metal packaging that allows their spirits to be enjoyed in various outdoor settings. Their products, such as the Original Whiskey, Spiced Cherry Whiskey, and Apple Crisp Whiskey, are distilled using traditional methods and filtered for superior quality. The brand's unique approach to packaging, using 100% stainless steel cans, sets it apart and makes it a favorite among consumers who value convenience and durability. Stillhouse's products are made in the USA, emphasizing the brand's commitment to American craftsmanship. With its wide range of flavors and robust packaging, Stillhouse is a key player in the growing moonshine industry. For more information, check out the Stillhouse website.

Climax

Climax Moonshine, produced by notorious moonshiner Tim Smith, stands out as a premium brand in the moonshine industry. Launched in 2013, Climax Moonshine is pot-distilled from an original family recipe using corn, rye, and barley malt mash, resulting in a clean and natural tasting product at 90 proof. The brand also offers flavored varieties, such as Grape and Peach Lightning, distilled from real fruit at 79 proof. With its products available in Georgia and South Carolina, and plans for nationwide availability, Climax Moonshine has seen significant success, with monthly production runs selling out consistently since its launch. The brand's commitment to quality and traditional methods has made it a favorite among moonshine enthusiasts. For more information, read how moonshiner Tim Smith goes legit with Climax Moonshine.

Firefly

Firefly is a notable producer in the moonshine market, known for its quality and innovative products. The brand is part of a competitive landscape that includes other major players like Ole Smoky and Sugarlands, and it employs diverse growth strategies such as new product releases and partnerships to strengthen its market position. The moonshine market, which Firefly is a part of, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2024 to 2034, reaching a valuation of USD 23,099.4 million by 2034. The flavored moonshine segment, where Firefly likely competes, holds a significant market share, with 73.4% of the market value in 2024. B2B channels, which are crucial for Firefly's distribution, capture 64.5% of the market share in 2024. For more insights about the moonshine market, visit the Future Market Insights.

Tim Smith's

Tim Smith's brand, renowned for his critically acclaimed Tim Smith's Original Climax Moonshine, is celebrated as one of the premier moonshine producers, with his product praised as "the best moonshine being made anywhere" by the Huffington Post's Taste Test. Smith, a third-generation moonshiner, has successfully transformed his 100-year-old family recipe into a nationally recognized brand. Despite initial hurdles in obtaining a legal license, Smith now lawfully produces and sells his moonshine, contributing to the impressive growth in moonshine sales, which saw a 150% increase in liquor channels and a 230% boost in multi-outlets over three years. The brand has enjoyed early success, with monthly production runs selling out rapidly since its inception. Smith's dedication to traditional pot-distilling methods ensures the high quality and authenticity of his moonshine.

Georgia Moon

Georgia Moon is a renowned brand of authentic American Corn Whiskey, distinguished by its unique packaging in mason jars and its adherence to traditional moonshine production methods. As a corn whiskey, it must contain at least 81% corn grain in the mash bill and can be aged in new uncharred or used charred barrels. Introduced by Viking Distillery, Georgia Moon gained popularity by mimicking the traditional moonshine experience, including its youthful age of less than 30 days and aggressive marketing strategies that boosted sales from $700,000 in 1957 to $8,000,000 by the late 20th century. The brand has expanded its product line to include flavor varieties such as Peach and Lemonade, inspired by NASCAR traditions. Georgia Moon is now part of Heaven Hill Brands, America's largest independent family-owned and operated distilled spirits company.

Catdaddy

Catdaddy, a distinguished brand under Piedmont Distillers, is a leading producer of moonshine, celebrated for its unique and smooth flavor profiles. The brand has experienced significant growth, with Catdaddy recording triple-digit growth from 2009 through 2013. Catdaddy Spiced Moonshine, crafted from corn and infused with a proprietary blend of all-natural spices and flavors, offers tantalizing hints of vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon. This brand, along with Junior Johnson's Midnight Moon, has significantly contributed to Piedmont Distillers' impressive sales, surpassing 100,000 six-pack cases sold in the first six months of 2012 and projecting 250,000 cases for the entire year. The brand's success is also attributed to its expanded distribution across the United States and into duty-free markets. For more information about Catdaddy and their unique offerings, visit their official website.

Popcorn Sutton

Popcorn Sutton's brand is renowned for its high-quality moonshine, rooted in the legendary moonshining career of Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton. Known for his 100-year-old family recipe, Sutton's moonshine typically has a proof of 50 to 100 percent alcohol and requires around 800 pounds of sugar per batch. After his death in 2009, the brand continued under various partnerships, including with Ole Smoky to revive his original recipes. The brand now offers products such as Popcorn Sutton Bourbon, a 100-proof blend of straight bourbon whiskeys sourced from Tennessee and North Carolina. The distillery, now owned by the Sazerac Company, maintains the legacy of Sutton's craftsmanship. For a detailed review of Popcorn Sutton Bourbon, you can explore expert insights and tasting notes.