Who Wants to Build a New Distillery?

Old Smoky Moonshine already operates in Gatlinburg. Image courtesy Old Smoky

Debate over where distilleries can locate in Tennessee led to personal attacks last night in the Tennessee state House. The proposal makes several changes, effectively expanding where high-grade alcohol can be manufactured.

The sponsor – Rep. Joe Carr of Rutherford County – refused to name the company behind his bill.

“So where did the bill come from?” asked fellow Republican Richard Floyd of Chattanooga.

“I already explained that,” Carr said.

“I don’t think you did,” Floyd said, stopping short of calling Carr a liar. “I respect you, but I don’t think we’re getting all of the answers as to where this bill come from.”

The legislation is being pushed by liquor lobbyist David McMahan, who owns a minority stake in a planned moonshine distillery in Gatlinburg. The resort city doesn’t want any more distilleries, but now it may not have much say.

The vote was one of the closest this year, but the House approved the change in state liquor laws. The Senate has already passed it’s own version.