Ole Smoky Chocolate Cherries Moonshine 750ML

Ole Smoky Chocolate Cherries Moonshine 750ML is a 100 proof (50% ABV) flavored moonshine featuring real maraschino cherries soaked in high-proof corn spirit with milk chocolate character. This expression builds on the distillery's well-known cherry moonshine by layering in cocoa richness, resulting in a distinctly indulgent jar that still carries serious Tennessee heat.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: East Tennessee, United States  |  Flavored Moonshine  |  Distillery: Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery

Production & Heritage

Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery operates out of East Tennessee, drawing on the region's deep-rooted traditions of small-batch corn whiskey production. For the Chocolate Cherries expression, each jar is hand-filled with fresh maraschino cherries that soak directly in Ole Smoky's 100 proof moonshine, absorbing the spirit while imparting real fruit flavor back into the liquid. The distinguishing step is the addition of milk chocolate notes to the traditional cherry moonshine process, creating a profile that bridges candy-shop sweetness with uncut moonshine intensity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet cherry hits first, followed immediately by dark chocolate and a subtle undercurrent of raw corn spirit. The nose is fruit-forward, with real maraschino cherry presence rather than synthetic sweetness.

Taste: The entry is rich and unmistakably chocolate-covered cherry, coating the palate with cocoa and ripe fruit. At mid-palate, the 100 proof backbone asserts itself with a clean corn burn that cuts through the sweetness. The high proof keeps the flavor honest — this is moonshine carrying chocolate and cherry, not a liqueur pretending to be something gentle.

Finish: Warm and moderately long, with cocoa lingering alongside residual fruit sweetness. The heat builds gradually, leaving a dry, slightly fruity close that invites another sip.

How to Drink Chocolate Cherries Moonshine

At 100 proof, sipping it chilled or over ice tempers the heat and lets the chocolate-cherry balance shine. The cherries themselves, soaked through with spirit, make an excellent garnish or standalone bite. A Black Forest Martini works well — shake with cream liqueur and a touch of vanilla for a dessert cocktail that plays to this moonshine's strengths. A Spiked Hot Chocolate is a natural pairing during colder months, as the chocolate notes integrate seamlessly into warm cocoa. Try it in a Cherry Manhattan variation, substituting this for part of the whiskey component to add fruit depth and proof.

Best For

• Gifting someone who enjoys bold, dessert-style spirits
• After-dinner sipping as a high-proof alternative to chocolate liqueurs
• Building creative dessert cocktails for holiday gatherings
• Adding to a flavored moonshine collection alongside Ole Smoky's other expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chocolate Cherries Moonshine taste like? It tastes like a chocolate-covered cherry with real backbone — sweet maraschino fruit and milk chocolate layered over a potent 100 proof corn moonshine base that keeps the sweetness in check.

How does Chocolate Cherries Moonshine compare to Ole Smoky Moonshine Cherries? The original Moonshine Cherries focuses purely on fruit-soaked spirit, while the Chocolate Cherries version adds a distinct milk chocolate layer that pushes it into dessert territory. Both sit at the same 100 proof, so the difference is flavor profile rather than intensity.

Is Chocolate Cherries Moonshine good for cocktails? Its 50% ABV and bold chocolate-cherry flavor make it a strong cocktail ingredient, particularly in dessert-style drinks where it adds both proof and sweetness without needing additional sweeteners.

Where is Chocolate Cherries Moonshine made? It is produced by Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery in East Tennessee, a region historically known for corn whiskey and moonshine production in the Appalachian tradition.

What foods pair well with Chocolate Cherries Moonshine? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa notes directly. Vanilla cheesecake provides a creamy contrast to the fruit and heat. Smoked pork belly works surprisingly well, as the sweetness offsets rich, fatty meat. Fresh strawberries dipped in the spirit make a simple pairing, and pecan pie echoes the corn-based sweetness of the moonshine itself.

What sizes does Chocolate Cherries Moonshine come in? The standard offering is a 750ml jar, consistent with Ole Smoky's signature mason jar packaging.

Is Chocolate Cherries Moonshine worth the price? It positions as an accessible, mid-range flavored moonshine that delivers genuine fruit and high proof at a competitive point within the flavored spirits category — strong value for the intensity and novelty it provides.

Why Chocolate Cherries Moonshine?

What separates this expression from the crowded flavored moonshine market is the combination of real maraschino cherries, hand-filled into every jar, with a full 100 proof base spirit — most flavored spirits in this category sit well below that strength. The milk chocolate addition gives it a specific flavor identity that goes beyond simple fruit infusion. For drinkers who find traditional cherry moonshine one-dimensional, the cocoa layer adds complexity without softening the proof. It is a flavored spirit that refuses to sacrifice potency for approachability, and that balance is what makes it stand apart on the shelf.