Ole Smoky Named ‘Hot Brand’ From M. Shanken Communications for Fifth Consecutive Year

Impact’s Designation Showcases Industry’s Star Players

GATLINBURG, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the fifth consecutive year, Ole Smoky has been named an Impact Hot Brand by M. Shanken Communications, the leading publisher in the U.S. Wine & Spirits industry, which is known for such publications as Wine Spectator, Impact, Market Watch, Food Arts, and Cigar Aficionado.

Ole Smoky is one of only 43 brands to be recognized as a ‘Hot Brand’ this year. With growth of at least 15% each year from 2017-2021, Ole Smoky has now earned the ‘Hot Brand’ designation for five consecutive years.

“Being named a ‘Hot Brand’ for the fifth consecutive time is a prestigious industry honor for our team. We have seen tremendous growth this past year and are positioned for significant growth in 2022,” says Robert Hall, CEO of Ole Smoky Distillery. “We are very appreciative of this important award.”

As the largest craft distiller in the U.S. and home of the most visited distillery in the world, Ole Smoky sold over 1 million 9L cases in 2021 and holds the No. 1 share position in moonshine according to NielsenIQ. Also, according to NielsenIQ, for the 52 weeks ending 1/1/22, Ole Smoky Distillery was one of the fastest growing spirits companies in the American Whiskey category with sales up +24% vs. the year ago period, on top of very strong growth in 2020.

Ole Smoky Distilleries are the most visited distilleries in the world. According to on-premise traffic counters, the four Ole Smoky Tennessee distillery destinations welcomed more than 5.7 million visitors in 2021.

The full ‘Hot Brand’ list and analysis for both spirits and wine appear in the March 1 and 15 issue of Impact.

About Ole Smoky® Distillery LLC

Ole Smoky is the leading distiller of premium moonshine in the world, the leading craft distiller in the US and the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee. Founded in 2010, Ole Smoky's roots are traced to the Smoky Mountains' earliest settlers, families who produced moonshine with enduring pride and Appalachian spirit.

Today, Ole Smoky retails in all 50 states and over 20 countries around the world and offers more than 25 creative moonshine flavors and 17 inventive whiskey flavors. Ole Smoky can be found in liquor stores nationwide, as well as at the company's four famed distilleries in Tennessee, The Holler and The Barrelhouse in Gatlinburg, The Barn in Pigeon Forge, and 6^th & Peabody in Nashville. For more information, please visit olesmoky.com and follow Ole Smoky on social media @olesmoky.