3 distilleries in one place!!! Gatlinburg is where I'll be headed. 9 hours is probably what it takes me too, maybe a bit less, assuming I take 81. But I used to go to the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway, which took longer (but was much more enjoyable). I used to do this ride each summer, but got away from it for, oh, 7-8 years I guess. Then last year I had a reunion in Highlands, NC, which reminded me about how beautiful the area is. All the more so with some whiskey in your hand ....

I'd never heard of Ole Smoky until 2013. They had a booth at Sturgis, SD and were giving away free shots. Quite nice! tls