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

Missouri

Lifted Spirits Distillery

Kansas City,

Missouri

— Bourbon, Rye, Vodka, Gin

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

👥

Two Person Team

Brian and Becky do everything themselves

🌽

High Rye Bourbon

Sixty percent corn, thirty-five percent rye

🏭

Crossroads Arts District

Industrial warehouse in creative neighborhood

🔬

Pharmaceutical Precision

Former pharma exec brings scientific approach

🪣

Single Copper Still

Five-hundred gallon Vendome pot still

🍯

Local Honey Gin

KC Gin features Missouri honey finish

📞 (816) 866-1734

🌐 http://www.liftedspiritskc.com/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Maps&utm_campaign=Google%20Maps

📍 1734 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

A Warehouse Where Two People Make Magic

Lifted Spirits Distillery sits in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District at 1734 Cherry Street, founded by husband-and-wife team Brian and Becky Doan in 2016. Brian, a former pharmaceutical executive, and Becky, who worked in marketing, decided to pivot their careers after years of home brewing and distilling as a hobby. They transformed a 3,000-square-foot warehouse space into a working distillery that produces bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and gin using a 500-gallon copper pot still from Vendome Copper & Brass Works. The couple started with $200,000 in personal savings and a dream to create spirits that reflect Kansas City’s bold, unpretentious character. Their first bourbon hit the market in 2018 after two years of aging, and they’ve been building their reputation one bottle at a time. The distillery operates with just the two founders handling everything from mashing to bottling, making it genuinely small-batch in every sense. You’ll find them working the stills, leading tastings, and talking shop with visitors who appreciate seeing the entire process up close.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Micro-Batch Means You Meet the Makers

What sets Lifted Spirits apart is their micro-scale operation where you’re literally meeting the people who made your whiskey. Brian handles the technical side with pharmaceutical-level precision while Becky manages the creative aspects, including their unique barrel finishing experiments using Missouri oak. They’re one of the few distilleries in Kansas City that does everything in-house, from grain-to-glass, in a space small enough that you can see the entire operation from any corner. Their bourbon uses a high-rye mash bill that Brian developed through dozens of test batches, creating a spicier profile than typical Kansas distilleries. The intimate scale means they can experiment with small batches and single barrel releases that larger operations can’t touch.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

No Gift Shop Just Pure Grain to Glass

When you visit Lifted Spirits, you’re walking into Brian and Becky’s workspace, not a polished tourist destination. The concrete floors and exposed brick walls give it an industrial feel, while the smell of fermenting grain and aging spirits fills the small space. Tastings happen right at the distilling equipment, where Brian or Becky will pour samples while explaining their process step-by-step. You can touch the copper still, peer into the fermentation tanks, and see exactly where your bottle was filled. The experience feels like visiting friends who happen to make excellent whiskey rather than a formal tour operation.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Authentic Kansas City Craft at Its Core

If you’re looking for polished tours with gift shops and food pairings, this isn’t your spot. But if you want to understand how whiskey actually gets made and meet the people behind the bottle, Lifted Spirits delivers something most distilleries can’t. Whiskey enthusiasts will appreciate the technical knowledge Brian shares, while casual drinkers will enjoy the relaxed, educational atmosphere. You’re not going to find rare allocated bottles or decades-old spirits here, but you will discover well-crafted whiskey made by people who genuinely care about their craft. It’s perfect for someone who wants to support local business and prefers authenticity over production value.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead or check their Facebook page before visiting since hours can vary when Brian and Becky are at festivals or working production schedules. Parking is street parking in the Crossroads district, so arrive a few minutes early to find a spot. Ask about their barrel finishing experiments if you’re interested in unique flavor profiles, and don’t be shy about technical questions—Brian loves talking about mash bills and fermentation science. Weekend afternoons tend to be busiest, so weekday visits offer more one-on-one time. Bring cash for bottle purchases since they sometimes have card reader issues.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Lifted Spirits Distillery — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to make an appointment to visit?

While walk-ins are welcome during posted hours, it’s smart to call ahead since Brian and Becky sometimes adjust schedules for production work or events. They’re usually happy to accommodate visits but want to make sure someone’s there to show you around.

How much do tastings cost?

Tasting fees vary but are typically under $10 for samples of their core spirits. The fee is often waived if you purchase a bottle, and Brian and Becky are generous with samples when explaining their process.

Can I buy bottles to take home?

Yes, they sell bottles on-site including their bourbon, rye, vodka, and gin. Prices are reasonable for craft spirits, and you’re buying directly from the makers. Bring cash as backup since their card reader occasionally has issues.

GETTING THERE

Find Lifted Spirits Distillery

📍1734 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA

—

📞 (816) 866-1734

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