Ole Smoky Blue Flame 750ML

Ole Smoky Blue Flame 750ML is a 128-proof (64% ABV) sugar wash moonshine distilled in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, from 100% corn mash. Named after the traditional blue flame purity test used by Appalachian moonshiners, this expression earned a 2018 SIP Award and scored 83 points from Drink Spirits.

Quick Facts: ABV: 64% (128 Proof)  |  Origin: Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA  |  Style: Sugar Wash Moonshine  |  Distillery: Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine

Production & Heritage

Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine operates out of Gatlinburg at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, a region steeped in illicit distilling history. Blue Flame uses a distinctive sugar wash process: corn mash leftover from Ole Smoky's corn whiskey production is combined with added sugar, then fermented again and distilled to reach its formidable 128 proof. The name references an old moonshiner's quality check — when high-purity moonshine is lit, it burns with a clean blue flame rather than yellow or red, signaling proper distillation free of dangerous methanol or impurities.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with raw corn and yeasty bread dough, followed by white pepper and a faint pastry-like sweetness. Despite the extreme proof, the sharpness is less aggressive than expected, with floral undertones emerging as the spirit breathes.

Taste: The entry is deceptively sweet, with sugarcane and cornbread arriving first before the proof asserts itself at mid-palate. White and black pepper kick in hard, layered over sweet cereal grain, fresh bread, and fleeting vanilla. The heat is substantial and builds steadily.

Finish: Short and punchy, dominated by peppery spice that lingers on the tongue. The sweetness fades quickly, leaving dry corn husk and residual warmth.

How to Drink Blue Flame

At 128 proof, Blue Flame is best approached with a splash of cold water or over ice to open up the corn sweetness and tame the heat — sipping neat is reserved for seasoned high-proof drinkers. In cocktails, it functions as a powerful base spirit: try it in a Moonshine Mule, where ginger beer and lime balance the pepper and corn; a Tennessee Lemonade, where fresh lemon juice and simple syrup let the grain character shine through; or an Apple Pie Punch, combining apple cider and cinnamon to complement the cornbread sweetness.

Best For

• High-proof spirit enthusiasts exploring traditional moonshine styles
• Cocktail experimentation where a powerful corn-based spirit is needed
• Moonshine tastings or comparative flights alongside other Ole Smoky expressions
• Infusing homemade fruit jars, tinctures, or flavored spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blue Flame taste like? Blue Flame delivers an initial wave of sugarcane and cornbread sweetness that gives way to aggressive white and black pepper spice, with yeasty bread and faint vanilla underneath. The overall profile is hot and grain-forward, true to its 128-proof intensity.

How does Blue Flame compare to Ole Smoky White Lightnin'? Both are high-proof, unaged corn spirits from the same distillery, but Blue Flame is produced using a sugar wash method that yields a slightly sweeter, less sharp profile than White Lightnin'. Blue Flame is also often positioned as Ole Smoky's answer to grain alcohol, though at 128 proof it sits below Everclear's 190-proof ceiling.

Is Blue Flame good for cocktails? Blue Flame works exceptionally well as a cocktail base because its 128 proof means a little goes a long way, and the corn sweetness and pepper spice hold up against bold mixers like ginger beer, citrus, and cider. It is not a typical sipping spirit for most palates without dilution.

Where is Blue Flame made? Blue Flame is distilled at the Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, located at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The region has a long history of moonshine production dating back to the 18th century.

What foods pair well with Blue Flame? Smoked pork ribs complement the corn sweetness and stand up to the heat. Sharp cheddar cheese mirrors the peppery spice. Cornbread with honey butter echoes the spirit's grain character. Grilled peaches or apple crisp work as dessert pairings, their fruit sweetness softening the proof.

What sizes does Blue Flame come in? Blue Flame is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle, and Ole Smoky also produces certain expressions in mason jar-style packaging and smaller format sizes, though availability varies by market.

Is Blue Flame worth the price? Blue Flame positions as a value-tier high-proof spirit, offering significantly more character and corn-forward flavor than neutral grain alcohols at a comparable price point. For drinkers seeking raw, traditional-style moonshine at maximum strength, it delivers strong proof-per-dollar value.

Why Blue Flame?

What separates Blue Flame from the crowded flavored moonshine market is that it doesn't hide behind fruit or sugar — this is an unapologetically high-proof corn spirit built on the old blue flame purity test that Appalachian distillers used for generations. The sugar wash production method, which re-ferments and distills corn mash left over from whiskey production, gives it a distinctive sweetness and grain depth that straight grain alcohol simply cannot match. Its 83-point score from Drink Spirits and 2018 SIP Award confirm that the spirit holds up under critical scrutiny despite its extreme proof. For anyone building a moonshine collection or seeking a versatile, powerful base spirit rooted in Tennessee tradition, Blue Flame earns its place on the shelf.