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

Florida

Loaded Cannon Distillery

Bradenton,

Florida

— Rum, Vodka, Gin

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (941) 900-1482

🌐 http://loadedcannondistillery.com/

📍 3115 Lakewood Ranch Blvd Suite 110, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Loaded Cannon Distillery sits in a business complex along Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in Bradenton, bringing craft spirits to Florida’s Gulf Coast. Founded by husband-and-wife team Mike and Tracy Houlihan, this operation opened its doors in 2016 after the couple decided to turn their home distilling hobby into something bigger. Mike brings a background in engineering while Tracy handles the business side, and together they’ve built a small-batch operation that focuses on rum, vodka, and gin production. The distillery occupies about 3,000 square feet of space where they handle everything from fermentation to bottling, with a tasting room that feels more like hanging out in someone’s garage workshop than a polished tourist destination. You’ll find copper stills, fermentation tanks, and the kind of DIY spirit that defines many Florida craft distilleries. The Houlikans didn’t set out to revolutionize the spirits industry—they just wanted to make good stuff and share it with people who appreciate the process. What started as weekend experiments with different mash bills and botanicals has evolved into a legitimate operation that’s found its groove in Florida’s competitive craft spirits scene. The atmosphere here reflects the founders’ approach: straightforward, unpretentious, and focused on the actual spirits rather than flashy marketing.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Loaded Cannon’s claim to uniqueness lies in their focus on rum production in a state where most craft distilleries chase bourbon trends. The Houlikans use Florida-sourced molasses and have experimented with different fermentation techniques to create rums that reflect the Gulf Coast environment. Their small 250-gallon copper still allows them to run tiny batches and adjust recipes quickly, which means you might taste something slightly different each time you visit. They’ve also embraced the DIY ethos completely—Mike built much of the equipment himself, and the couple handles most operations without a large staff, giving visitors direct access to the actual people making the spirits.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

When you visit Loaded Cannon, you’re likely to meet Mike or Tracy directly, since they run most of the tastings and tours themselves. The space feels industrial but welcoming, with concrete floors, exposed equipment, and the smell of fermentation in the air. Tastings happen at a simple bar setup where you’ll try their current lineup while learning about their process from people who actually do the work. Tours are informal—more like Mike showing you around his workshop than a rehearsed presentation. You’ll see the stills up close, learn about their fermentation process, and probably hear some stories about equipment failures and late-night distilling sessions.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

This place works best for people who want to understand how small craft distilleries actually operate rather than those seeking a polished tourist experience. If you’re into rum or want to see a genuinely small operation where the founders still handle daily production, it’s worth stopping by. The spirits are solid without being revolutionary, and the education factor is high since you’re learning from the actual distillers. Don’t expect fancy surroundings or elaborate cocktail programs—this is about the craft itself. It’s also a good option if you’re exploring Lakewood Ranch area and want something different from the typical restaurant or shopping options.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead before showing up since hours can be irregular and Mike and Tracy sometimes adjust their schedule around production needs. The distillery is located in a business complex that’s easy to miss, so look for the address numbers carefully rather than relying on signage. Weekends tend to be better for longer conversations since they’re not juggling production tasks. Ask about their rum-making process specifically—it’s where their expertise really shows. Don’t expect a huge selection since they focus on doing a few things well rather than producing every spirit category. Parking is straightforward in the business complex lot.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Loaded Cannon Distillery — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to make a reservation?

Reservations aren’t required, but calling ahead is smart since the owners sometimes adjust hours around production schedules. They’re usually available on weekends for tastings and tours.

What spirits do they focus on?

Their main focus is rum, which sets them apart from most Florida craft distilleries that chase bourbon trends. They also make vodka and gin, but the rum is where their expertise really shows.

Is this a good stop for beginners?

Absolutely. Mike and Tracy are patient educators who enjoy explaining their process to newcomers. The small operation means you get personal attention and can ask questions directly to the people making the spirits.

GETTING THERE

Find Loaded Cannon Distillery

📍3115 Lakewood Ranch Blvd Suite 110, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA

—

📞 (941) 900-1482

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