How far is the distillery from Louisville?

Neeley Family Distillery is about 45 minutes northeast of Louisville in Sparta, Kentucky. It's in Gallatin County, off the main Bourbon Trail routes, so plan for a bit of a drive through rural Kentucky.

What makes their bourbon different from larger distilleries?

The Neeleys grow some of their own corn right on the property and handle most of the production themselves as a family operation. You're tasting spirits made in small batches with direct family involvement from grain to bottle, rather than mass-produced bourbon.

CRAFT DISTILLERY

Alaska

Fairbanks Distilling Company

Fairbanks,

Alaska

— Vodka, Gin, Other

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (907) 452-5055

🌐 http://www.fairbanksdistilling.com/

📍 410 Cushman St, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Fairbanks Distilling Company sits on Cushman Street in downtown Fairbanks, Alaska, making it one of the northernmost craft distilleries in the United States. Founded by Jason Chavez and Nathan Livers in 2014, this small operation occupies a converted warehouse space where they produce vodka, gin, and seasonal spirits using Alaskan ingredients. Chavez, a former restaurant owner, and Livers, who had a background in brewing, decided to try their hand at distilling after noticing the lack of local spirits in Alaska’s craft beverage scene. The distillery started with a 250-gallon custom copper still and has grown slowly but steadily since opening their doors to the public in 2015. Their focus remains on creating spirits that reflect Alaska’s unique character, using local water sources and incorporating ingredients like birch syrup and wild berries when possible. The operation stays true to small-batch production, with Chavez and Livers handling most of the distilling work themselves alongside a small team of local enthusiasts who help with bottling and tours.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Operating in Alaska’s extreme climate presents unique challenges that most distilleries never face. The temperature swings and dry air affect aging and storage in ways that require constant adaptation. They’re also working with ingredients you won’t find elsewhere – Alaska-grown potatoes for their vodka base, local birch syrup for seasonal releases, and pristine glacial water that travels hundreds of miles to reach their facility. The location itself is remarkable; you’re literally drinking spirits made in the land of the midnight sun, where summer brings nearly 24 hours of daylight and winter drops temperatures to minus-40. That isolation also means everything costs more to ship in, from bottles to grain, making their commitment to local production even more impressive.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

You’ll walk into a working distillery that feels more like an enthusiastic garage operation than a polished tourist destination. The space smells like grain mash and copper polish, with the sounds of bubbling fermentation tanks in the background. Tours are intimate affairs, usually led by one of the founders themselves, who’ll walk you through their entire process from mashing to bottling. You can see their copper still up close and learn about the specific challenges of distilling in Alaska’s climate. The tasting room is small and unpretentious, with a simple bar setup where you’ll sample their current offerings while hearing stories about Alaska’s short growing season and the logistics of running a distillery this far north.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

If you’re in Fairbanks and curious about craft spirits, absolutely. This isn’t a destination distillery that’ll wow you with elaborate facilities or extensive product lines, but it offers something genuinely unique – the chance to taste spirits made in one of America’s most challenging environments. The personal attention you get from the founders makes it feel special, and their Alaska-inspired spirits tell a story you can’t get anywhere else. Don’t expect Kentucky bourbon trail polish, but do expect authentic passion and products that reflect their remarkable location. It’s particularly appealing if you appreciate the underdog story of entrepreneurs making it work against tough odds.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead or check their Facebook page before visiting since hours can be irregular, especially during Alaska’s harsh winters. The distillery is located downtown, so parking on Cushman Street is usually available but can fill up during summer tourist season. If you’re visiting in winter, dress warmly as the warehouse space can be chilly. Ask about their seasonal releases if you visit during summer months when they incorporate local berries and other foraged ingredients. The founders love talking about the technical challenges of distilling in Alaska, so don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions about their process. They often have limited quantities of special releases that aren’t available elsewhere, so it’s worth asking what’s new or experimental.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Fairbanks Distilling Company — Visitor FAQ

How does Alaska’s climate affect the distilling process?

The extreme temperature swings and dry air create unique challenges for fermentation and aging. The founders have had to adapt their techniques to work with temperature variations that can exceed 100 degrees between summer and winter, affecting everything from yeast activity to evaporation rates.

Do you use local Alaskan ingredients?

Yes, they use Alaska-grown potatoes for their vodka base and source local water. During summer months, they incorporate foraged ingredients like wild berries and local birch syrup into seasonal releases. However, some base ingredients still need to be shipped in due to Alaska’s short growing season.

Should I call ahead before visiting?

Definitely call ahead or check their social media, especially during winter months when hours can be irregular. As a small operation, they sometimes adjust their schedule based on production needs or Alaska’s unpredictable weather conditions.

GETTING THERE

Find Fairbanks Distilling Company

📍410 Cushman St, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA

—

📞 (907) 452-5055

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