Ole Smoky Moonshine Launches Popcorn Sutton Brand with Popcorn’s Widow

Pam Sutton, widow of the legendary moonshiner and folk hero Popcorn Sutton, is joining forces with Sevier County native and Ole Smoky Founder, Joe Baker, to bring Popcorn’s original recipes to market.

The collaboration is one based on a shared goal of celebrating Appalachian heritage and paying tribute to the local whiskey icon.

“My family’s been in the East Tennessee mountains for well over 200 years and moonshine is just part of our culture,” Baker explains. “I’ve always respected our history and heritage and making moonshine whiskey is a big part of our story. Being trusted with the opportunity to honor Popcorn Sutton and share his genuine American whiskey—and a bit of our local history, to boot—is truly special.”

Popcorn’s unique recipes will make their debut at four Ole Smoky distillery locations—The Holler, The Barn, The Barrelhouse, and at 6th & Peabody—in November.

“These sites are the natural places to feature Popcorn Sutton’s recipes because several sit at the heart of the Appalachian moonshining culture. Popcorn paved the way for us,” Baker continued. “We keep a piece of him—and that culture—alive with every bottle.”

The two new Popcorn Sutton products pay tribute to the craftsmanship and artistry of the Appalachian native. One product is a 100 Proof blend of straight bourbon whiskeys blended from barrels sourced from Tennessee and North Carolina, both states that Popcorn called home.  The other product, Popcorn’s Likker, is derived from Popcorn’s original moonshine recipe.

Popcorn’s Likker is distilled from a blend of cane and grain, and 100 Proof, which was Popcorn’s preferred proof. In honoring his deep roots in the area, Ole Smoky is keeping production local at its Newport, Tennessee facility which employs nearly 300 people.

“This partnership not only celebrates our shared Appalachian roots, but also benefits the community in which we operate,” Baker notes. “Pam and I think Popcorn would appreciate that we’re continuing to make his products right here in East Tennessee.”

 

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About Ole Smoky Distillery

Ole Smoky is the leading distiller of premium moonshine in the world, the leading craft distiller in the U.S. 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. Ole Smoky has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 List of the fastest-growing private companies in America for three consecutive years – 2020, 2021, and 2022, as well as receiving the 2022 Shanken Communications’ Impact Hot Brand Award and 2023 Growth Brand Awards from Beverage Information Group. Today, Ole Smoky’s 25 creative moonshine flavors and 17 inventive whiskey flavors can be found in all 50 states, 20 countries and at the company’s four famed distilleries in Tennessee: The Holler and The Barrelhouse in Gatlinburg, The Barn in Pigeon Forge, and 6th & Peabody in Nashville. For more information, please visit olesmoky.com and follow Ole Smoky on social media @olesmoky.

About Popcorn Sutton Distillery

Popcorn Sutton Distillery pays tribute to the enduring legacy of Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton, the iconic Appalachian moonshiner hailing from Cocke County, Tennessee. We are committed to preserving and sharing the recipes of Popcorn which capture the very essence of mountain culture in every sip of his “likker.” With a distinguished product range that includes a 100-proof straight bourbon whiskey blend and his authentic moonshine-whiskey, we celebrate the craftsmanship of Appalachian heritage while keeping the spirit of Popcorn Sutton alive. Irreverent and wild, Popcorn’s whiskey is where tradition and craftsmanship converge in every batch. Learn more at popcornsutton.com and follow Popcorn Sutton on Facebook at Popcorn Sutton Distillery.