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

Virginia

JH BARDS Spirit Co

Blacksburg,

Virginia

— Bourbon, Rye, Vodka

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🔬

Technical Precision

Engineering backgrounds drive every batch decision

👫

Husband Wife Team

James and Holly hands-on every day

🌾

Local Sourcing

New River Valley grains when possible

🏭

Working Facility

Real distillery, not tourist attraction setup

🥃

Small Batches

Bourbon, rye, vodka made to order

📊

Process Driven

Data collection beats guesswork every time

📞 (540) 952-9658

🌐 http://www.jhbards.com/

📍 213 Draper Rd SW, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

New River Valley Pioneers Making Spirits From Scratch

JH BARDS Spirit Co sits on Draper Road in Blacksburg, Virginia, in the heart of New River Valley. Founded by James and Holly Bard, this craft distillery launched in 2018 after the couple decided to turn their passion for spirits into a business venture. James brings an engineering background to the operation, while Holly handles the business side, creating a partnership that balances technical precision with entrepreneurial drive. The distillery occupies a converted warehouse space where they produce small-batch bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka using locally sourced grains when possible. What started as weekend experiments in their garage has evolved into a legitimate distilling operation that’s become part of Blacksburg’s growing craft beverage scene. The Bards built their distillery with an emphasis on quality control and consistency, using their technical backgrounds to dial in recipes and processes. You’ll find them working alongside their small team most days, hands-on in every aspect of production from mashing to bottling.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Engineering Meets Distilling Data-Driven Small Batches

JH BARDS operates as one of the few distilleries in the New River Valley region, serving a area that’s better known for Virginia Tech than craft spirits. The Bards’ engineering approach sets them apart from many craft distilleries – they focus heavily on data collection and process optimization rather than relying purely on tradition or intuition. Their small batch sizes allow for experimentation and quality control that larger operations can’t match. The husband-and-wife team maintains direct involvement in every step of production, from grain selection through final proofing, which creates consistency and allows them to make adjustments quickly when needed.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

No Fancy Facades Just Real Work Happening

The distillery offers a straightforward, educational experience where you’ll likely meet James or Holly during your visit. Tours walk you through their production process, explaining the technical aspects of distillation while showing off their custom-built still and fermentation tanks. The space feels more like a working facility than a polished tourist attraction – you can smell the grain and see the actual work happening. Tastings focus on their current offerings with explanations of how different techniques affect the final product. The Bards enjoy talking about their process and answering technical questions, so don’t hesitate to ask about their methods.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Authentic Craft Operation Worth the Drive

If you’re interested in the technical side of distilling or want to see a genuine small-batch operation in action, JH BARDS delivers an authentic experience. You won’t find elaborate gift shops or fancy tasting rooms, but you will get direct access to the people making the spirits and honest answers about their process. It’s particularly appealing for visitors who want to support local business and see how craft distilling works on a small scale. Those looking for elaborate tours or extensive food pairings might find the experience too basic.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead to schedule visits since they operate with a small staff and production schedules can affect availability. The distillery is located in a somewhat industrial area, so use GPS carefully and look for the signage on the building. Weekend visits often work better for tours since weekdays are typically focused on production. Ask James about their grain sourcing and fermentation process if you want to understand what makes their approach different. Parking is available on-site, and the location is easy to reach from Virginia Tech campus if you’re combining activities.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

JH BARDS Spirit Co — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to make an appointment to visit?

Yes, JH BARDS operates by appointment since it’s a small operation with limited staff. Call ahead to schedule your visit and confirm they’ll be available for tours and tastings.

What spirits do they currently produce?

They produce bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka in small batches. Their whiskey products are still aging, so availability depends on their current production schedule and what’s ready for release.

How long do tours typically last?

Tours generally run 30-45 minutes including tasting time. The length can vary depending on your interest level in technical details and how many questions you ask about their process.

GETTING THERE

Find JH BARDS Spirit Co

📍213 Draper Rd SW, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA

—

📞 (540) 952-9658

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