About
Pauley Hollow Distillery is a small, family-run distillery in Forest Hills, Kentucky, located in Pike County near the heart of Appalachian coal country. The distillery proudly identifies itself as the first legal distillery in Pike County, giving it a meaningful place in Eastern Kentucky’s modern spirits story. Rather than feeling like a large Bourbon Trail campus, Pauley Hollow has a more personal, heritage-driven atmosphere built around moonshine, bourbon, and local pride. The experience is rooted in the phrase “Taste Your Heritage,” and that idea fits the visit well. Guests are stepping into a small operation that celebrates Appalachian distilling traditions while making legal, carefully crafted spirits for today’s visitors. For travelers exploring Pikeville, the Hatfield and McCoy region, or the mountains of far Eastern Kentucky, Pauley Hollow offers a distinctive spirits stop with a strong sense of place.
History
Pauley Hollow Distillery was established as a small family operation in Forest Hills, Kentucky, with a focus on bringing Pike County’s distilling heritage into a legal, safe, and visitor-friendly setting. In a region where moonshine stories are often tied to family recipes, mountain roads, and informal traditions passed from one generation to the next, Pauley Hollow represents a modern continuation of that history. The distillery’s public materials emphasize authentic moonshine and bourbon, local ingredients, and hands-on ownership, with leadership involved throughout the process to ensure each bottle reflects the family’s work and pride.
Notoriety
Pauley Hollow Distillery is best known for being Pike County’s first legal distillery and for offering an authentic Appalachian spirits experience centered on moonshine and bourbon. Its appeal comes from its small size, family involvement, and local character. This is not a place built around polished corporate scale; it is a small producer with a clear regional identity and a straightforward message about heritage, quality, and pride in place. The distillery’s moonshine focus connects directly to the cultural memory of Eastern Kentucky, while its bourbon gives visitors a more traditional Kentucky whiskey option alongside the mountain-made spirit style.
experiences
Cocktail Classes
Duration:
N/A
Price:
N/A
At this time, the distillery does not offer any cocktail classes.
Tours & Tastings
Duration:
1 Hr 30 Mins
Price:
$20
Pauley Hollow Distillery pairs guided tours and tastings with a family-run Appalachian setting in Forest Hills, where moonshine heritage and mountain craftsmanship shape the experience.
amenities
Cocktail Bar
Scenic Location
nearby
Distilleries
Brothers Wright Distilling Co.
Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery
Kentucky Mist Distillery
Things To Do
Hatfield McCoy River Trails
Pikeville Cut-Through Project Overlook
Breaks Interstate Park
Food & Drink
Bank 253
The Butter Dish
Woodbooger Grill
Stay
The Landmark Hotel
Hampton Inn
Holiday Inn Express & Suites