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

Illinois

Blaum Bros. Distilling Co.

Galena,

Illinois

— Bourbon, Rye

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (815) 777-1000

🌐 http://blaumbros.com/

📍 9380 US Hwy 20 W, Galena, IL 61036, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. sits on US Highway 20 just outside Galena, Illinois, founded by brothers Matt and Mike Blaum in 2013. The brothers, who grew up in the area, started their distillery journey after careers in different fields—Matt in finance and Mike in construction—but shared a passion for craft spirits that eventually brought them back home to northwestern Illinois. They opened their doors in a purpose-built facility designed to handle serious production while maintaining the hands-on approach they wanted. The distillery focuses primarily on whiskey, producing bourbon, rye, and other American spirits using traditional methods combined with modern precision. What started as a dream between two brothers has grown into one of Illinois’ notable craft distilleries, though they’ve kept their operation scaled to maintain quality control and personal involvement in every batch. You’ll find them making everything from straight bourbon to rye whiskey, with an emphasis on letting the grains and aging process speak for themselves rather than chasing trendy flavor profiles.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

The Blaum brothers built their reputation on patience and process rather than gimmicks. They’re doing straight whiskey the traditional way, with Matt and Mike still personally involved in production decisions and quality control. Their location in Galena puts them in a part of Illinois that’s not crowded with distilleries, giving them access to good agricultural connections and a different tourist base than the urban craft distillery scene. The brothers’ approach focuses on letting their whiskey age properly rather than rushing products to market, which sets them apart from some newer operations that feel pressure to generate revenue quickly.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

The distillery offers tours that walk you through their production process, from grain to bottle, with the Blaum brothers or their team explaining their approach to whiskey making. You’ll see their fermentation tanks, copper stills, and barrel storage areas while learning about their specific techniques and timeline. The tasting room lets you sample their current offerings, and the staff knows the products well enough to explain flavor profiles and production details. The atmosphere is straightforward and focused on the spirits rather than trying to be a full entertainment destination.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

If you’re interested in craft whiskey and want to see a serious operation that’s focused on traditional production methods, Blaum Bros. delivers a solid experience. It’s particularly worth visiting if you’re already in the Galena area, which has plenty of other attractions to make it a worthwhile day trip. The distillery appeals most to whiskey enthusiasts who appreciate hearing about production processes and tasting spirits that reflect traditional American whiskey making. Don’t expect a flashy tourist attraction—this is more about learning and tasting than entertainment.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead or check their website before visiting, as hours can vary and they may close for production or private events. The distillery is easy to find on Highway 20, with adequate parking available. If you’re planning to visit other Galena attractions, consider timing your distillery visit for late afternoon when you can focus on tasting without rushing. Ask about their aging process and barrel selection if you’re interested in the technical side of whiskey production. Bring a designated driver since you’ll want to properly taste their spirits.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to make a reservation for tours and tastings?

While reservations aren’t always required, it’s smart to call ahead since hours can vary and they may be closed for production work or private events. Calling ensures you won’t make the drive out only to find them unavailable.

What types of whiskey does Blaum Bros. produce?

They focus on traditional American whiskeys, primarily bourbon and rye. The brothers emphasize letting their spirits age properly and using traditional production methods rather than experimenting with unusual flavor additions or rapid aging techniques.

How long are the tours and what do they include?

Tours walk you through their complete production process, from fermentation through distillation to barrel aging. You’ll see their equipment and learn about their specific techniques, followed by tastings of their current whiskey offerings.

GETTING THERE

Find Blaum Bros. Distilling Co.

📍9380 US Hwy 20 W, Galena, IL 61036, USA

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📞 (815) 777-1000

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