The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), America’s leading advocate for the distilled spirits industry, announced that Ole Smoky Distillery LLC will join the trade association in September as a new Director Member.
“I am pleased to announce that Ole Smoky, the largest craft distillery in the country, has joined DISCUS as a Director Member,” said Chris Swonger, President and CEO of DISCUS and Responsibility.org. “Through its moonshines and whiskeys, Ole Smoky Distillery has created a brand that started in East Tennessee and now has expanded into all 50 states and over 30 countries. Ole Smoky’s unique expertise in distillery retail operations and product innovation, linked with its experience in building distributor partnerships across the country, will be an asset to DISCUS as we navigate the challenges posed by the evolving spirits marketplace.”
Ole Smoky is the leading distiller of premium moonshine in the United States and the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee. Founded in 2010, Ole Smoky’s roots can be traced back over 100 years to the early settlers of the Smoky Mountains. Ole Smoky produces more than 25 moonshine flavors and 17 whiskey flavors. In the last year alone, Ole Smoky welcomed more than 4.1 million visitors to their three East Tennessee distilleries: The Holler and The Barrelhouse in Gatlinburg and The Barn in Pigeon Forge. In fact, the Holler in Gatlinburg is the world’s most visited distillery with over 2 million visitors a year. The company opened a fourth distillery at 6th & Peabody in the heart of Nashville in April 2019.
J. Robert Hall, CEO of Ole Smoky Distillery LLC, said, “The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States is second to none in its advocacy for the spirits industry at the federal, state and international levels. With four distilleries and over 500 employees, my team and I at Ole Smoky look forward to joining forces with DISCUS to support policies that benefit spirits’ consumers and protect one of America’s treasured industries built on heritage and craftsmanship.”
In addition to Ole Smoky Distillery LLC, DISCUS Director Members include Agave Loco, LLC; Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.; Beam Suntory, Inc.; Brown-Forman Corporation; Campari America; Constellation Brands, Inc.; DIAGEO; Edrington USA; Mast-Jägermeister US, Inc.; MGP Ingredients, Inc.; MHW, Ltd., Moet Hennessy USA; Pernod Ricard, USA; and Rémy Cointreau USA, Inc.
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States is the leading voice and advocate for distilled spirits in the U.S.