Travis Faucett, the man behind Rolling Oak Distillery, has a larger-than-life persona in the humblest way possible. At 6 foot 6, he’s a gentle giant and a gracious steward of his family’s heritage of moonshining in Dunlap, TN. That history fueled his endeavor to create the first legal distillery in the Sequatchie Valley. With 160-year-old recipes, secret distilling techniques, and heirloom grains, Travis and his family craft authentic, old-fashioned moonshine just like the old-timers enjoyed generations ago.
From grains to greatness, today it can be sampled and purchased at Rolling Oak Distillery in Dunlap. Set in the picturesque Sequatchie Valley, this local business is shining at home and nationally in the moonshine industry.
Photo Credit: Emily Faucett
Generations of Shiners
Moonshine surely runs through Travis Faucett’s veins. Born and raised in Dunlap, he’s been crafting liquor for nearly his entire life. As a young boy, he unknowingly helped his elders make moonshine. He worked as a mule carrying sugar and corn to a private still but was sent home once the distilling began.
As he grew older, he learned more about the distilling process and his family’s moonshine heritage. Also, he inherited the 160-year-old secret family recipe. He’s a fifth-generation shiner who intends to preserve traditional moonshine methods not just for his descendants but also for his community and the travelers who pass through the Sequatchie Valley. Moonshining is his birthright, and Faucett shares sips and stories with Rolling Oak visitors.
He operates the business with his wife, Emily. Faucett’s sister Kristi has also been on board since the beginning, and the trio is building a moonshine empire in Dunlap one jar at a time.
The Rolling Oak Distillery Brand
Photo Credit: Emily Faucett
Moonshine has recently boomed in popularity, but few products on the market can match the authenticity of Misty Mountain Moonshine from Rolling Oak Distillery. The liquor itself is exactly what his ancestors crafted, drank, and sold. The experience of visiting the distillery, meeting Travis, and sampling his products transports visitors back to the mid-1800s when moonshine was a private yet dominant industry in Dunlap.
Rolling Oak Distillery is tucked away into the woods just as an original still would have been hidden. In fact, it sits along School House Creek on the site of an antique moonshine still. Faucett knows who the still belonged to, although he won’t divulge the name. He just may be the only Dunlap native who knows the full history of the area’s moonshine heritage, and he uses that knowledge to give his customers the most authentic experience possible. However, don’t expect him to give away too many secrets. Moonshine is legal now, but he refuses to incriminate anyone or tarnish anyone’s reputation. The business legally opened in the spring of 2022.
“There’s 160 years in each jar,” Travis said. “There’s been a lot of liquor made over the years, but 3-24-22 is when we were federally and state licensed.”
Most distilleries open a storefront first and seek distribution later, although Faucett built his business differently. Knowing he had a superior product, he approached a distributor and his moonshine was immediately picked up. Misty Mountain Moonshine is currently distributed to liquor stores in the Chattanooga and Nashville areas and will soon be available in Knoxville and Memphis area stores too.
Meanwhile, the storefront and tasting room at the Dunlap distillery are expanding to meet the overwhelming demand.
The Rolling Oak Distillery and Dunlap Experience
Photo Credit: Hannah Glover
Nestled into a holler just off Highway 111, Rolling Oak Distillery is both secluded and convenient to historic Downtown Dunlap. The quaint storefront is a stark contrast to the famous distilleries in Gatlinburg. The Smoky Mountains may be moonshine’s capital but many distilleries there are strategically placed in high-traffic areas. Rolling Oak offers something different.
In Dunlap, the experience is much quieter. When Travis was in the early stages of planning his business, the county made an error in approving the site. He had to find a new location for the distillery.
“I was meandering down through the woods and I found an old still site with glass whiskey bottles. Some bottles even had old whiskey in them. That’s where our still currently sits and it was meant to be,” Travis explained.
The serenity of the creek and the canopy of the forest envelop visitors in an authentic moonshine still setting. Guests can see where the old-timers ran the original stills and can taste a product exactly like the one they produced. Furthermore, Travis is on site, sharing stories in a way that only the living legend can. Clad in overalls, he works in all areas of the business and is often behind the counter pouring his product and educating customers on moonshine’s infamous past.
In addition to moonshine, whiskey, and bourbon, the on-site general store features products local to the Sequatchie Valley. The Valley is home to nationally known brands like Lodge Cast Iron and Moon Pie, and he sells those products in his shop. Additionally, local honey, nuts, baked goods, and other items give guests a glimpse into the talents of Sequatchie Valley residents.
“The majority of what’s in the store is locally sourced from less than 15 miles from the store,” Travis shared. “What’s carried in the store is making about 15 full-time jobs in the community.”
Faucett has many memories of visiting Dunlap’s general stores as a child. While those businesses have since perished, he has seen a resurgence in the desire to shop local. Even with much of his business coming from visitors, a large portion of his sales are to Dunlap natives and the many new residents moving to the area. The community aspect of a general store is very much alive in Dunlap and at Rolling Oak Distillery.
Sequatchie Valley’s Rapid Growth
Photo Credit: Hannah Glover
Like Rolling Oak’s rapid growth, Sequatchie Valley’s economy is expanding quickly. Farming and coal mining were the town’s largest industries during its formative years, with moonshining being a behind-the-scenes industry that supported many in the community. Now, with the designation of the Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway and businesses like Rolling Oak Distillery, Southeastern Tennessee is a new destination where travelers can explore and discover original experiences.
This increase in visitors is affecting all businesses in Tennessee’s Great Valley; it’s not just tourism-related companies seeing this growth.
Rolling Oak Distillery has partnered with local farmers in the Sequatchie Valley and Tennessee Valley to grow a secret heirloom variety of corn similar to what Faucett’s ancestors used. Unlike the protein corn used by other moonshine companies, this corn is prized for its sweetness and gives us an authentic product like what the old timers were making in Dunlap’s early days. The company is committed to furthering the growth of Dunlap and Sequatchie Valley, and therefore the team chooses to source locally as much as possible.
In the same fashion, other members of the business community are working in unison to grow the town’s tourism industry while retaining their authenticity. This commitment provides an unparalleled and genuine experience for the Valley’s visitors and new residents.
“There has been more growth in the last year or two than I’ve seen in my entire life. That’s why we’re doing what we’re doing; we’re trying to preserve our history,” Travis said. “I’m hoping with all this growth, we have more jobs for the people who live here. Every day, 20-25,000 people leave the Valley to go to work. We definitely have the labor force.”
Visiting Dunlap and Rolling Oak Distillery
Photo courtesy of Flying Camp Paragliding Tours in Dunlap
The businesses in Sequatchie Valley are harnessing the area’s natural resources to welcome visitors with an authentic experience not found in other destinations. The dramatic landscape offers endless outdoor adventures like hiking, cycling, kayaking, and paragliding. Plus, Dunlap and other towns along the Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway offer overnight accommodations ranging from primitive camp sites and RV hookups to luxurious tree houses and mirrored cabins.
Meanwhile, historic districts are coming back to life. Historic Downtown Dunlap is seeing a resurgence of shoppers, diners, and tourists seeking a cultural experience. Studio Dunlap, with its captivating guitar mural, lures visitors as they stroll the streets and explore Dunlap’s small town vibe. Additionally, the town’s array of special events, like the Historic Downtown Dunlap Songwriters Festival, adds another layer of authenticity for visitors to enjoy.
With so many outdoor activities and towns to explore, the Sequatchie Valley is quickly becoming a top Southern destination. The Sequatchie County – Dunlap Chamber of Commerce is excited to be a part of this rapid growth for our members, like Rolling Oak Distillery, and the entire Sequatchie Valley region.
Travis founded the relatively new brand on an antique business model, and he is bringing the old ways into the present for his guests to enjoy. Distillery tours are in development as well as a new creekside entertainment venue. Those planning a vacation in Sequatchie Valley will find a visit to this distillery in Dunlap to be a meaningful and memorable experience.
Rolling Oak Distillery is an easy and scenic ten-minute drive from Downtown Dunlap. Dunlap is the county seat of Sequatchie County and is one of the charming towns along the 70-mile-long Sequatchie Valley National Scenic Byway. Today, visitors will revel in Dunlap’s array of small, family-owned businesses and the personalities behind each one, like Rolling Oak Distillery and Travis Faucett.
Authored in Appalachia || Amy Morton