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

52eighty Distilling – Switch Vodka

Littleton,

Colorado

— Vodka, Gin

TASTINGS

COCKTAILS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (720) 709-4470

🌐 https://52eightydistilling.com/

📍 10488 Centennial Rd #900, Littleton, CO 80127, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

52eighty Distilling sits in a business park in Littleton, Colorado, where founders Mike and Julie Kozar launched their craft spirits operation in 2016. Mike brought engineering experience from the aerospace industry, while Julie handled business operations, and together they decided to chase their passion for creating premium vodka and gin. The distillery takes its name from the 5,280-foot elevation of Denver, paying homage to their Mile High location. Operating out of a 3,000-square-foot facility, they focus exclusively on clear spirits, using a custom-built copper still system to produce their flagship Switch Vodka and seasonal gin offerings. What started as a side project has grown into a legitimate craft distillery that’s carved out its niche in Colorado’s competitive spirits scene.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

52eighty stands apart by focusing exclusively on vodka and gin production rather than jumping on the bourbon bandwagon like most craft distilleries. Their Switch Vodka uses a proprietary filtration system that includes coconut carbon and other specialty media, creating an unusually smooth profile that’s earned them recognition in spirits competitions. The elevation itself plays a role in their production—distilling at 5,280 feet affects how alcohol behaves during the process, and they’ve dialed in their techniques specifically for high-altitude distilling. Mike’s aerospace background shows up in their precision approach to cuts and filtration, treating spirits production more like engineering than art.

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

The tasting room has a clean, modern feel that reflects their focus on clear spirits rather than the rustic whiskey aesthetic most distilleries go for. You’ll taste through their vodka expressions and seasonal gins while learning about their filtration process and how altitude affects distillation. Mike often leads tastings himself when he’s available, and his technical background comes through as he explains the science behind what you’re tasting. The space isn’t huge, so it feels intimate rather than crowded, and you can actually see their production equipment from the tasting area.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

If you’re into vodka or gin, this is definitely worth the trip—it’s rare to find a craft distillery that’s mastered clear spirits rather than just treating them as afterthoughts to bourbon. The technical approach and high-altitude angle make it interesting even for whiskey drinkers who want to learn something new. That said, if you’re only interested in aged spirits, you’ll be disappointed since they don’t produce whiskey, bourbon, or rum. It’s best suited for spirits enthusiasts who appreciate craftsmanship and want to understand what makes good vodka actually good.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead to confirm tasting room hours since they’re a smaller operation and sometimes close for private events or production runs. The location in a business park can be tricky to find the first time—look for the building number rather than signage from the street. Parking is easy and free right in front. Ask about their filtration process if you’re curious about production techniques, and try the Switch Vodka neat first before moving to cocktails to really appreciate the smoothness. They often have seasonal gin releases that aren’t widely distributed, so that’s your chance to try something you can’t get elsewhere.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

52eighty Distilling – Switch Vodka — Visitor FAQ

Why do they only make vodka and gin?

The founders wanted to focus on perfecting clear spirits rather than spreading themselves thin across multiple categories. Mike’s engineering background lends itself well to the precision required for excellent vodka production, and they’ve built their entire operation around optimizing for these spirits.

How does the high altitude affect their spirits?

At 5,280 feet, alcohol behaves differently during distillation due to lower air pressure. They’ve had to adjust their techniques and timing to account for this, but it also gives them a unique production environment that most distilleries don’t have to work with.

Can you see the production equipment during visits?

Yes, their tasting room is connected to the production area, so you can see their copper still system and filtration setup. While they don’t offer formal tours, staff are happy to explain what you’re looking at and how it works.

GETTING THERE

Find 52eighty Distilling – Switch Vodka

📍10488 Centennial Rd #900, Littleton, CO 80127, USA

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📞 (720) 709-4470

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