Ole Smoky Blackberry Whiskey 750ML

Ole Smoky Blackberry Whiskey 750ML is a 60-proof (30% ABV) flavored Tennessee whiskey that blends natural blackberry flavor with an 80% corn whiskey base. Produced at the first federally licensed distillery in East Tennessee, this expression has earned a 4.5-star rating from Whiskey Advocate, signaling serious quality in the flavored whiskey category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 30% (60 Proof)  |  Origin: Gatlinburg, Tennessee  |  Flavored Whiskey  |  Distillery: Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine

Production & Heritage

Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine, headquartered in Gatlinburg — locally known as "The Holler" — holds the distinction of being the first federally licensed distillery in East Tennessee. Production runs through two working copper pot stills, starting with a mash bill of 80% corn that forms the whiskey base. The blackberry expression is created by blending the flavor of real blackberries directly into that whiskey, resulting in a fruit-forward spirit that retains the underlying grain character rather than masking it with artificial flavoring.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Freshly smashed blackberry dominates the nose, followed by warm cinnamon and a subtle undercurrent of chocolate. Soft vanilla rounds out the bouquet, giving it an inviting, dessert-like quality without being cloying.

Taste: The entry is sweet blackberry juice that immediately broadens with layers of honey and caramel at mid-palate. As it builds toward the peak, tart chocolate and ripe blackberry converge, keeping the sweetness in check with enough acidity to maintain balance. Fresh berry, soft vanilla, and gentle warmth carry through from start to finish.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish delivers toasted oak, spicy cinnamon, and a distinctive blackberry-yogurt tanginess. It exits semi-dry with bittersweet blackberry and oak lingering on the palate, preventing the overall experience from reading as one-note sweet.

How to Drink Ole Smoky Blackberry

At 60 proof, this whiskey drinks smoothly neat or over ice, where the lower ABV allows the berry character to fully express itself without excessive alcohol heat. It also shines in cocktails:

• Blackberry Whiskey Sour: The natural berry sweetness complements fresh lemon juice, reducing or eliminating the need for simple syrup.
• Blackberry Mule: Swapped in for vodka in a classic Moscow Mule, the whiskey base and berry flavor pair seamlessly with ginger beer and lime.
• Bramble: A natural match — the blackberry flavor echoes the crème de mûre traditionally used, creating a double-layered berry profile.

Best For

• Introducing a whiskey-curious friend to the category through a fruit-forward, approachable pour
• Summer cocktail sessions where berry-forward drinks are in rotation
• After-dinner sipping as a lighter alternative to dessert liqueurs
• Tailgate and cookout gatherings where ease of drinking matters more than complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ole Smoky Blackberry taste like? It leads with sweet, ripe blackberry layered over honey and caramel, then transitions to tart chocolate and toasted oak on the finish. The overall impression is smooth and berry-forward with a mild warmth and enough tangy dryness to keep it from becoming overly sweet.

How does Ole Smoky Blackberry compare to Bird Dog Blackberry Whiskey? Both are blackberry-flavored whiskeys, but Ole Smoky uses an 80% corn Tennessee whiskey base distilled in copper pot stills, while Bird Dog starts with a Kentucky bourbon base. Ole Smoky tends to be slightly sweeter with more pronounced berry intensity, whereas Bird Dog leans into the underlying bourbon oak and spice.

Is Ole Smoky Blackberry good for beginners? Yes — at 30% ABV, it has noticeably less alcohol burn than full-proof whiskeys, and the blackberry sweetness makes it highly approachable for drinkers who are new to whiskey. It works well as a stepping stone before exploring higher-proof, unflavored expressions.

Where is Ole Smoky Blackberry made? It is distilled at Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The distillery is the first to have been federally licensed in East Tennessee and operates two copper pot stills on site.

What foods pair well with Ole Smoky Blackberry? Dark chocolate truffles amplify the chocolate and berry notes already present in the whiskey. Smoked pork or grilled ribs with a berry-based barbecue glaze create a savory-sweet contrast. Sharp aged cheddar plays off the tangy finish, while vanilla bean cheesecake mirrors the vanilla and caramel mid-palate. A charcuterie board featuring blackberry preserves and soft brie ties everything together naturally.

What sizes does Ole Smoky Blackberry come in? The standard retail size is the 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Ole Smoky Blackberry worth the price? It positions firmly in the value tier of flavored whiskeys, delivering a well-balanced berry profile and genuine copper-still production at a price point well below most premium flavored spirits. Its 4.5-star rating from Whiskey Advocate suggests it overdelivers relative to its category and cost.

Why Ole Smoky Blackberry?

What separates this expression from the crowded flavored whiskey shelf is the combination of an authentic Tennessee distilling pedigree and a real-berry blending approach on an 80% corn whiskey base. The 4.5-star rating from Whiskey Advocate places it among the better-reviewed flavored whiskeys on the market. At 60 proof, it occupies a sweet spot — literally and figuratively — between full-strength whiskeys and lower-ABV flavored spirits, making it versatile enough to sip straight or anchor a cocktail. For a flavored whiskey at this price tier, the depth of the finish — toasted oak, cinnamon, and that distinctive tart blackberry fade — is a genuine surprise.