Adventure Distilling Company brings moonshine back to Cosby

from Visiting Magazine Summer 2021

Handmade items on display at annual Craftsmen’s Fair

Ben Ford, at left, handcrafted the still being used at Adventure Distilling Company. The smell of mash once again drifts through the hollers of Cosby. With Ford is Adventure Distilling co-owner Kelly Williamson.

Moonshine Has Returned Home! Cosby, Tennessee has often been referred to as Moonshine Capital of the World. During the first half of the 20th century this Appalachian community, located at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains, was struggling. The coves and forests of the Smokies were the perfect cover for moonshine stills. With liquor supplies scarce due to prohibition, the demand for their moonshine grew rapidly. Cosby was connected by road to Newport and Knoxville giving them an advantage over other mountain moonshiners.

From page 27 The explosion of moonshining lead to an ongoing battle of wits between law enforcement and local moonshiners. The illegal distillers would warn one another of nearby revenue agents by igniting dynamite. They would also drive behind the revenuers’ car and form a long chain through the valley. The residents of Cosby despised the intrusion of outside law enforcement and devised many methods to interfere with their efforts. The art of making illegal moonshine declined with the death of dry laws in neighboring counties, but the fame Cosby gained as Moonshine Capital remains today.

Adventure Distilling Company has built a covered event area that can seat 500 with additional seating in a VIP area above the distillery. Events are being planned including concerts, comedy shows, bike rallies and car shows.

A new distillery opened its doors this spring, right in the middle of where it all began, the gateway to the Smokies. Life long residents of Cosby, Kelly Williamson and Sally Jane Clark partnered with Don Smith of NC’s South Mountain Distilling Company to open the doors of Adventure Distilling Company. These three partners have a long family history and deep roots within the moonshine industry. Sally Jane is married to local famous Moonshiner Mark Ramsey. He and his partner, Digger, are often on premises along with many other celebrities. The shop sells JB Rader’s special blend and he is always around to

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Kelly Williamson and Sally Jane Clark partnered with Don Smith to open Adventure Distilling Company at the base of the Smokies in Cosby, Tennessee. The shop at the distillery sells a wide variety of moonshine including JB Rader’s special blend. From left are JB Rader, Kelly Williamson, Sally Jane Clark and Don Smith.

make sure it is perfect. Clark’s father and grandfather were well respected in the history of Cosby Moonshine. She has many stories to share with you when you stop by for a visit. You may recognize Williamson as “Moonshiner Kelly.” His family had owned the property that the distillery now sits on for many generations. It was sold and went through several owners. Williamson was able to purchase it back and start construction in 2020. It is located at 4649 Hooper Hwy on the way to Gatlinburg from Newport. It sits on a beautiful spot of mountain land, right beneath the Smoky mountains. They boast a covered event area that can seat 500 with additional seating in a VIP area above the Distillery, a top notch stage for live performances, a retail area with gifts and a tasting bar for moonshine as well as sales by the jar. Concerts, comedy shows, bike rallies, car shows, meet and greet events and so much more is being scheduled daily. You may check to see what is happening on their Facebook page. There is always a delicious food truck around so that you can grab a quick meal. Adventure Distilling Company has big plans for future expansion with an adjoining campground and museum of Moonshine History. They will offer tours of the facility, where you can get a close up look at the handcrafted copper still, made by local legend, Ben Ford. You will find yourself taken back in time, looking over your shoulder, half expecting a revenuer to step out of the smoke. The smell of mash drifting through the hollers and coves has restored the balance to this little mountain community and it’s elders that remember “the good old days.” Moonshine has made its way home, to Cosby, Moonshine Capital of the World, once again.

Join us in celebrating the legacy of moonshine in our area! Our unique style of making moonshine comes from years of experience and the hard work of our ancestors. We’re bringing moonshine out of the woods and into our distillery.