First opened in March 2014, the Sugarlands Distilling Company is the top tourist attraction in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, according to TripAdvisor.com. The city is found close to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park entrance, making it an ideal place to visit for area tourists.

The Sugarlands Distilling Company is offering guests a premium tour package. You will the opportunity to see their still house and see up close how Sugarlands Shine is actually made. The company produces a variety of great tasting spirits, including moonshine and whiskey. As part of your tour, guests can also enjoy tasting their award-winning spirits. For alcoholic drink lovers it doesn’t get any better than this, right?

Sugarlands Distilling Company is not only popular withtourists, but is rated as America’s Top Distillery experience. According to TripAdvisor.com, this eastern Tennessee company leads all U.S. distilleries in receiving the most desirable, five-star reviews. What is so impressive is the only other distillery in the world with more five-star reviews is the iconic Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland.

Due to the fact that Gatlinburg has distilleries and wineries in the area, it’s obviously a city many spirits enthusiasts wan to visit. Although the distillery only opened in March of 2014, it’s popularity is impressive. Since then, greater than 2 million people have stopped for a visit.

Another tour option is their “Distiller for the Day Workshops.” You will get to spend a full day meeting Greg Eidam, who is the Head Distiller. There’s no better way to learn than doing something yourself. So have fun making your own batch of Sugarlands Shine. You will be educated on the entire moonshine distilling process. Start out by grinding corn and then mix up mash. You will next proof the distillate. By the end of the day, you’ll be ready to fill up jars with the actual, award-winning moonshine you created.

It’s a fascinating process and this tour will give you a VIP experience you will always remember. Of course, that’s assuming you don’t sample too much moonshine yourself. Get immersed in the moonshine distilling process and take lots of pictures along the way.

While you’re at the distillery, be sure to sample the moonshine. There are 14 different flavors and you can taste just 1 or all 14 if you want. The behind the scenes tour is wonderful and enjoy the pleasure of listening to bluegrass and country live music and Appalachian storytelling. It’s a great cultural experience for everyone.

Touring the Sugarlands Distilling Company is a great activity for both friends and family. While you are there, be sure to load up on the different flavors of moonshine flavors, in addition to high-quality mountain apparel and other merchandise.

The moonshine brand is working hard to roll out additional flavors. Since last November, five new varieties have been introduced. They include Peppermint, Root Beer plus Mark and Digger’s Rye Apple Moonshine. Yum!

The current pricing for the tours at Sugarlands Distilling Company are:
1) Private Tour and Tasting – $12.50 per person
2) Distiller Workshop – $40.00 per person
3) Distiller For The Day Workshop – $250.00 per person

Of course when finished, be sure to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Historically this beautiful area with fascinating natural scenery is knows as “moonshiners’ paradise.”

If you would like to make plans to visit and tour Sugarlands Distilling Company and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, contact us today. We’ll help arrange your luxury travel experience. Return soon to follow our luxury blog for more travel destination recommendations.

Photo: Sugarlands Distilling Company

Cliffside Malibu

Drug and alcohol addiction remains a major health concern to millions of people around the world.  When a celebrity needs help, they often try to remain invisible and avoid any public scrutiny. Sometimes they don’t exceed and it’s front page news or all over the tabloids.

But where do the top 1%ers go to get help for their drug and alcohol addiction?  You know the  millionaires and billionaires with more money than they know what to do with.

Cliffside Malibu in Southern California has long been the top choice for business professionals, celebs, athletes who can afford the very best in addiction treatment and medicine.

Cliffside Malibu first opened in 2003 and is discreetly hidden in a scenic canyon about 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

This premier rahab center enjoys an international reputation for innovative therapies, luxurious amenities and absolute discretion. In addition, they provide the highest success rate in the country through a treatment approach that is so effective it is guaranteed!

Richard Taite is the founder and CEO became passionate about helping other addicts. He followed his passion by converted a dream home that overlooks the scenic Pacific Ocean to open Cliffside Malibu. His goal was to create a treatment center he would have wanted to get well at.

Cliffside Malibu is an exclusive boutique facility which enables them to cater to their elite clientele with a customized addiction treatment program that has all the amenities they are used to having in their daily lives.

Offering incredible white water ocean views, this private estate provides all the amenities that can be found in a 5-star resort. Be pampered with down pillows and comforters, 1000 thread count sheets, turn down service, plus gourmet chefs that cook to order using organic food when available.

To receive additional information about Cliffside Malibu, please visit: www.cliffsidemalibu.com

Most of us are aware of the health benefits of a glass of red wine. There’s also been past research suggesting that says drinking a glass of wine can slim you down, make your bones stronger and also help you live a little longer.

Well the news just keeps getting better for alcoholic lovers. There are more reasons to enjoy even an occasional, good quality cocktail.

Reason #1: Researchers in Norway who surveyed more than 38,000 people, say occasional drinking may be good for your mental health. They discovered those who drink are less likely to be depressed than those who do not.

Reason #2: Researchers say people who admit to drinking more than a single drink per day, may be in better shape than those who don’t drink alcohol at all. According to a new study, people who drink tend to exercise more and therefore be generally more active.

It’s important to keep these finding in perspective. The good news does come with a very important reminder:
– Keep your daily alcohol intake to one drink per day
– Don’t drink every day of the week.  If you do (and you consume more than a glass a day), your risk for certain health conditions and cancers, including breast cancer (for women), may increase.

The key is be safe and drink in moderation. So now go have an after-work cocktail. Enjoy!

Mojito is a traditional Cuban cocktail which became quite popular in the United States during the late 1980s, but has recently seen a resurgence in popularity.  Its combination of sweetness and refreshing citrus and mint flavors are intended to mask the potent kick of the rum.
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I’ve heard of people getting “lit up” from tying on a few too many drinks, but this is getting crazy. I guess a judge will be the judge of that. Three women claimed a bottle of rum used to pour their shot became a ‘flame thrower’. You be the judge. Full article

You are what you eat… or in this case drink. Cocktails come in all kinds of different colors and tastes.

What is your favorite? Here’s ten to think about the next time you order one.
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Texas chef Tim Love beat the mighty Masahuru Morimoto on the Food Network’s Iron Chef this spring–and Love credits his victory in large part to the spicy, sophisticated margarita he whipped up on the fly. Full article

Whisky sales have been on a meteoric rise over the last several years, especially Single-Malt Scotches.  The entire industry is re-inventing itself. Here’s how to tell your cask strength from your port-wood-aged. Full article