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

Colorado

NOCO Distillery & Speakeasy

Fort Collins,

Colorado

— Vodka, Gin, Bourbon

TASTINGS

COCKTAILS

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (970) 414-7188

🌐 http://nocodistillery.com/

📍 328 Link Ln Ct #11, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

NOCO Distillery & Speakeasy sits in an industrial complex on Link Lane Court in Fort Collins, where founders Sean and Jennifer Smiley turned their passion for craft spirits into Colorado’s newest distillery operation. Opening their doors in 2019, the husband-and-wife team converted a modest warehouse space into both a working distillery and prohibition-era themed speakeasy, complete with vintage cocktail culture and small-batch spirit production. Sean handles the distilling operations while Jennifer manages the speakeasy side, creating an operation that’s equal parts production facility and craft cocktail destination. The Smileys didn’t stumble into distilling by accident—Sean spent years perfecting recipes as a home distiller before they decided to go commercial, working through Colorado’s licensing requirements and building out their facility piece by piece. They focus on vodka, gin, and whiskey production using a custom copper still setup, with plans to expand their aged spirits program as their whiskey stocks mature. The speakeasy concept wasn’t just aesthetic—they wanted to create a space where people could taste their spirits in carefully crafted cocktails rather than just straight pours. Visitors walk into a dimly lit speakeasy atmosphere where the distilling equipment sits behind the bar, making it clear this isn’t just a cocktail lounge playing dress-up. The space feels intimate rather than industrial, with vintage decor and craft cocktails that showcase their house-made spirits alongside classics. You’re drinking vodka and gin that was literally made twenty feet away, which gives the whole experience a authenticity that’s hard to fake. It’s still a young operation finding its rhythm, but the commitment to both quality distilling and cocktail craft is obvious from the first sip.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

NOCO combines active distilling with a legitimate speakeasy experience in a way that most craft distilleries don’t attempt. Rather than offering basic tastings or tours, they’ve built their entire visitor experience around showcasing their spirits through expertly crafted cocktails in an authentic prohibition-era setting. The Smileys’ approach of integrating production directly into the bar experience means you’re literally watching your drink ingredients being made, which creates a connection between process and product that’s rare in the industry. Their focus on perfecting recipes before going commercial rather than learning on the job also sets them apart from distilleries that rush to market.

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

You’ll step into a dimly lit speakeasy where vintage decor meets working distillery equipment, creating an atmosphere that’s part cocktail lounge, part production facility. The copper stills and fermentation tanks are visible from the bar area, so you can watch the distilling process while sipping cocktails made with those same spirits. Jennifer typically handles the cocktail service, explaining how their house-made vodka or gin works in both classic and original cocktails. The space feels intimate and authentic rather than touristy, with attention paid to both the drinks and the speakeasy atmosphere that makes it feel like a legitimate night out rather than just a distillery visit.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

This works best for people who want craft cocktails and appreciate the story behind their ingredients rather than those looking for traditional distillery tours or bourbon tastings. If you’re into gin and vodka cocktails and enjoy speakeasy vibes, you’ll find something here that most Colorado distilleries don’t offer. The operation is still building its aged whiskey program, so don’t expect a huge selection of mature spirits, but the cocktail program showcases what they do make quite well. It’s worth a visit if you’re in Fort Collins and want to see a different approach to craft distilling, though it may not satisfy visitors looking for extensive spirit flights or deep production tours.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

The speakeasy atmosphere means this is better for evening visits than afternoon tours, so plan accordingly if you want the full experience. Call ahead to check their current hours and any special events, as small operations like this can have variable schedules. Ask Jennifer about the cocktail menu—she can explain which drinks best showcase their house spirits versus which are just well-made classics. The location in an industrial area means GPS might be helpful for first-time visitors, and parking is available on-site. Don’t expect a traditional distillery tour experience; come ready for cocktails and conversation about the distilling process instead.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

NOCO Distillery & Speakeasy — Visitor FAQ

Is this more of a bar or a distillery?

It’s both—NOCO operates as a working distillery with the speakeasy serving as their tasting room. You’ll see the distilling equipment while drinking cocktails made with their spirits, so it’s a legitimate production facility that happens to have great cocktails.

Do they offer traditional distillery tours?

No, they focus on the speakeasy experience rather than formal tours. You can see the distilling equipment from the bar and ask questions about their process, but the emphasis is on experiencing their spirits through cocktails rather than production tours.

What’s the atmosphere like?

Think authentic speakeasy with dim lighting, vintage decor, and craft cocktails rather than bright tasting room or industrial tour facility. It’s designed for evening visits and has more of a night-out vibe than a daytime tourist activity.

GETTING THERE

Find NOCO Distillery & Speakeasy

📍328 Link Ln Ct #11, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA

—

📞 (970) 414-7188

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