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

Texas

1845 Distilling

McKinney,

Texas

— Bourbon, Rye, Vodka

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🌶️

High-Rye Mash

Cinnamon and black pepper over vanilla

👥

Owner-Led Tours

Chris and Jennifer handle tastings personally

🏭

Modern Setup

Custom copper stills, controlled aging areas

🎯

No Rush Aging

Traditional timeline despite Texas heat

🥃

Triple Spirits

Bourbon, rye, and clean vodka lineup

💼

Corporate Refugees

Left careers to build this dream

📞 (469) 989-3100

🌐 https://1845distillingcompany.com/

📍 2070 S Bridgefarmer Rd, McKinney, TX 75069, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Texas Craft Done Without the Flash

1845 Distilling sits on South Bridgefarmer Road in McKinney, Texas, bringing craft spirits to the heart of Collin County. Founded by husband-and-wife team Chris and Jennifer Rauschuber, the distillery opened its doors in 2019 after years of planning and navigating the complexities of Texas distilling regulations. Chris, who left his corporate career to pursue his passion for distilling, partnered with Jennifer to create a operation focused on small-batch bourbon, rye, and vodka production. The facility operates out of a modern industrial space designed specifically for spirits production, featuring custom copper stills and temperature-controlled aging areas. You’ll find a welcoming tasting room where the Rauschubers and their team share their journey from corporate life to craft distilling. The operation runs lean but passionate, with Chris handling much of the distillation work while Jennifer manages the business side and customer experience. They’ve built something genuine here—not trying to be the biggest, just focused on making spirits they’re proud to put their name on. The distillery reflects their approach: clean, efficient, and built for quality over flash.

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

WHAT SETS THEM APART

High-Rye Bourbon That Brings the Spice

What sets 1845 apart is the Rauschubers’ methodical approach to building their distillery from scratch in a state where craft distilling regulations can be challenging. Chris didn’t just jump into distilling—he spent years learning the craft and understanding the business before opening, which shows in their consistent production quality. They source their grains carefully and focus on traditional mash bills executed well rather than chasing trendy flavors. The distillery’s location in McKinney puts it in the sweet spot of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex growth, serving an area hungry for local craft spirits but not oversaturated with distilleries. Their bourbon uses a high-rye mash bill that gives it more spice than many Texas bourbons, and they’re not rushing their aging process despite the Texas heat that can accelerate maturation.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Meet the Makers Not the Marketing

You’ll walk into a clean, modern tasting room where Chris or Jennifer often personally handle tastings, sharing stories about their transition from corporate careers to distilling life. The space feels more like visiting friends who happen to make great spirits than a commercial tourist operation. During tours, you can see their copper still setup and aging room, with Chris explaining their process without the usual marketing fluff—just straight talk about grain bills, fermentation, and why they make the choices they do. The tastings let you try their current lineup with honest descriptions of what you’re tasting and why it tastes that way. It’s intimate enough that you’ll likely remember their names when you leave.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Substance Over Spectacle Every Single Time

If you appreciate meeting the actual people behind your spirits and prefer substance over spectacle, you’ll enjoy 1845 Distilling. This isn’t the place for elaborate tours or Instagram-worthy experiences—it’s better suited for people who want to understand how craft spirits actually get made and taste products that reflect genuine care in production. Bourbon enthusiasts will appreciate their high-rye approach, and anyone curious about the business side of starting a distillery will find Chris and Jennifer’s story compelling. Don’t expect bells and whistles, but do expect honest spirits and straight answers about how they’re made.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead or check their social media for current hours and availability, as they sometimes adjust schedules for production needs. The distillery is in an industrial area, so follow GPS carefully and look for their signage. Weekend afternoons tend to be their busiest times for tastings. Ask Chris about their mash bill choices and aging philosophy—he’s genuinely enthusiastic about the technical aspects and happy to share what he’s learned. If you’re interested in purchasing bottles, they typically have their current releases available on-site. Parking is straightforward in their lot, and the location is easy to find from major McKinney roads.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1845 Distilling — Visitor FAQ

Who are the founders and what’s their background?

Chris and Jennifer Rauschuber founded 1845 Distilling after Chris left his corporate career to pursue distilling. Chris spent years learning the craft before opening, while Jennifer handles the business operations and customer experience.

What makes their bourbon different from other Texas bourbons?

Their bourbon uses a high-rye mash bill that gives it more spice and complexity than many Texas bourbons. You’ll taste notes of cinnamon and black pepper alongside traditional caramel and vanilla flavors.

Do I need to make a reservation for tastings?

Reservations aren’t required, but it’s smart to call ahead or check their social media since they sometimes adjust hours for production needs. Weekend afternoons tend to be their busiest times.

GETTING THERE

Find 1845 Distilling

📍2070 S Bridgefarmer Rd, McKinney, TX 75069, USA

—

📞 (469) 989-3100

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 Texas