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

Michigan

The Whiskey Factory – Detroit City Distillery

Detroit,

Michigan

— Bourbon, Rye, Whiskey

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

COCKTAILS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🏭

Warehouse Conversion

Former auto parts building, exposed brick charm

🌡️

Climate Advantage

Michigan weather swings create unique flavors

👥

Brother Founders

Three guys passionate about Detroit’s distilling revival

🥃

Triple Threat

Bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskeys on site

🏪

Eastern Market

Historic district location with food heritage

🔨

No Pretense

Working distillery, not a tourist show

📞 (313) 656-4528

🌐 https://www.whiskeyfactorydetroit.com/

📍 1000 Maple St, Detroit, MI 48207, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Industrial Warehouse Turned Whiskey Revival Story

The Whiskey Factory – Detroit City Distillery sits in Detroit’s Eastern Market area, bringing craft spirits production back to Motor City. Founded by brothers Michael and Tommy Krezlewicz along with their partner JP Jerome, the distillery opened in 2013 with a mission to revive Detroit’s distilling heritage that had been dormant since Prohibition. The trio converted a former auto parts warehouse into their production facility, installing custom copper stills and creating a tasting room that reflects Detroit’s industrial character. They focus primarily on whiskey production, crafting bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskeys using traditional methods combined with their own innovations. The space maintains the raw industrial feel of its automotive past while housing modern distilling equipment, creating an atmosphere that’s distinctly Detroit. The founders came from diverse backgrounds – Michael from the restaurant industry, Tommy from construction, and JP from business development – but shared a passion for bringing authentic craft distilling to their hometown. Their approach emphasizes local sourcing when possible and barrel aging in Michigan’s climate, which they believe creates unique flavor profiles in their spirits.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

WHAT SETS THEM APART

Pre-Prohibition Tradition Meets Motor City Grit

What sets Detroit City Distillery apart is their commitment to reviving Detroit’s pre-Prohibition distilling tradition in a city where craft distilling had been virtually non-existent. The Krezlewicz brothers and their team use a combination of traditional Kentucky bourbon-making techniques adapted for Michigan’s climate, creating spirits that reflect both classic American whiskey traditions and regional influences. Their location in the historic Eastern Market district connects them to Detroit’s food and beverage heritage, and they’ve embraced the city’s comeback story as part of their brand identity. The distillery also experiments with unique finishes and aging techniques, taking advantage of the temperature swings in their warehouse to create distinct flavor profiles you won’t find in more climate-controlled facilities.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Working Distillery Where Founders Still Pour

You’ll step into a working distillery where the industrial heritage of Detroit meets craft spirits production. The tasting room maintains the raw character of the converted warehouse, with exposed brick and metal fixtures that feel authentically Motor City. Tours take you through their production process, from milling grain to bottling, with the founders or their team explaining how they’ve adapted traditional whiskey-making to work in Detroit’s climate. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious – these guys are more interested in talking about their craft than putting on a show. During tastings, you’ll sample their core lineup while learning about the differences between their bourbon, rye, and wheat whiskeys, often with insights into how Detroit’s weather affects the aging process.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Real Detroit Comeback Story in a Glass

This is a solid stop for anyone interested in craft distilling or Detroit’s revival story, especially if you appreciate the intersection of industrial heritage and artisan spirits. You’re not going to get the polished, tourist-focused experience you might find at larger operations, but that’s actually part of the appeal here. The founders are genuinely passionate about their craft and Detroit’s comeback, making this more of an authentic local experience than a destination attraction. It’s particularly worthwhile for whiskey enthusiasts who want to understand how regional climate and local character influence spirit production. If you’re looking for elaborate tours or fancy amenities, you might be disappointed, but if you want to taste good whiskey and hear the real story of bringing distilling back to Detroit, it’s definitely worth your time.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead or check their website before visiting, as hours can vary and they sometimes close for private events or production needs. The distillery is located in the Eastern Market area, which can be busy on Saturday market days – plan for extra travel time but also consider combining your visit with exploring the historic market. Parking is available but can be limited during peak times. Ask about their aging process and how Michigan’s climate affects their whiskeys compared to traditional bourbon regions – the staff genuinely enjoys discussing the technical aspects of their craft. If you’re a whiskey geek, inquire about any special releases or experimental batches they might have available for tasting.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Whiskey Factory – Detroit City Distillery — Visitor FAQ

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

Reservations aren’t typically required for regular visits, but it’s smart to call ahead since they’re a working distillery and sometimes have private events or production schedules that affect visitor hours. Groups should definitely call in advance.

What’s the story behind bringing distilling back to Detroit?

The founders wanted to revive Detroit’s pre-Prohibition distilling heritage, which had been completely absent from the city for decades. They saw an opportunity to be part of Detroit’s broader comeback story while creating spirits that reflected the city’s industrial character and resilience.

How does Detroit’s climate affect your whiskey aging?

Michigan’s temperature swings create more interaction between the whiskey and barrel wood compared to more stable climates. The founders believe this accelerates certain aspects of aging and creates unique flavor profiles that distinguish their whiskeys from those aged in traditional bourbon regions.

GETTING THERE

Find The Whiskey Factory – Detroit City Distillery

📍1000 Maple St, Detroit, MI 48207, USA

—

📞 (313) 656-4528

The 50 States of Whiskey

Find a Craft Distillery

Search from nearly 1,500 Distilleries
in all 50 States

Never Miss A Thing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

SMART BUYING GUIDES

The Right Gear Matters

Honest recommendations on everything around the bottle.

Best Clear Ice Makers for Bourbon (2026)

The Best Bourbon Decanters: A No-Nonsense Guide to What’s Actually Worth Buying

The Best Home Bar Carts and Bar Cabinets for Bourbon Lovers (2026 Guide)

Best Bourbon Smoker Kits (2026) – Worth the Smoke?

Best Whiskey Glasses for Bourbon: 5 Glasses Every Bourbon Drinker Should Own

NEAT OR NOT

Whiskey Reviews

RD1 Distillery

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating:

Tom’s Foolery Farm and Distillery

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating:

Leather & Oak Spirits

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating:

Barrel 21 Distillery

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating:

KEEP EXPLORING Michigan