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

Colorado

Axe and the Oak Distillery

Colorado Springs,

Colorado

— Bourbon, Rye, Vodka

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (719) 203-5142

🌐 http://www.axeandtheoakdistillery.com/

📍 4665 Town Center Dr #140, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Axe and the Oak Distillery sits in a strip mall location on Town Center Drive in Colorado Springs, which might not sound glamorous, but don’t let that fool you. Founded by husband-and-wife team Chris and Jennifer Coulombe, this craft distillery opened in 2018 after Chris left his career in the Air Force to pursue his passion for distilling. The space is compact but well-designed, housing their custom copper still and aging barrels in an industrial setting that’s been transformed into a welcoming tasting room. They focus on small-batch bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka, with everything distilled on-site using traditional methods combined with modern precision. The Coulombes started this venture because Chris had been home-distilling as a hobby for years and decided to turn his passion into a business after retiring from military service. Jennifer handles much of the business operations while Chris manages the production side, creating a true family operation where both founders are hands-on daily. The distillery reflects their no-nonsense approach – it’s not trying to be fancy or tourist-focused, but rather aims to produce quality spirits in a straightforward, honest way.

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

WHAT SETS THEM APART

What sets Axe and the Oak apart is their military precision approach to distilling combined with their commitment to doing everything in-house from grain to bottle. Chris Coulombe brings his Air Force discipline to the distillation process, maintaining meticulous records and consistent procedures that ensure quality across batches. They’re one of the smaller operations in Colorado Springs, which means you’re likely to interact directly with the founders during your visit rather than hired staff. Their location in a business park also means lower overhead costs, allowing them to focus resources on quality ingredients and equipment rather than fancy real estate. The distillery operates more like a neighborhood craft producer than a tourist destination, which appeals to spirits enthusiasts who want to talk shop with the actual distillers rather than tour guides reading scripts.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Visiting Axe and the Oak feels more like stopping by a friend’s garage workshop than a polished tourist attraction, and that’s exactly the charm. You’ll likely be greeted by Chris or Jennifer personally, who can walk you through their entire process from mashing to bottling. The tasting room is intimate – really just a few stools around a small bar area where you can sample their current offerings while chatting about the distillation process. The space smells like grain and aging spirits, and you can see the production area right from the tasting room, so there’s no mystery about where your whiskey comes from. Tours are informal and happen when time allows, giving you a chance to see their copper still up close and understand their grain-to-glass operation.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

This is definitely worth a stop if you’re genuinely interested in craft distilling and prefer authentic experiences over polished presentations. You won’t find elaborate tours or Instagram-worthy settings here, but you will get to meet passionate distillers who know their craft inside and out. It’s perfect for bourbon and rye enthusiasts who want to taste small-batch spirits and learn about the production process from the people actually making it. Skip this if you’re looking for a big group activity or expecting a fancy tasting room experience – this is more about the spirits and the stories behind them than the ambiance. The intimate setting means you’ll get personal attention and can ask detailed questions about their process, ingredients, and philosophy.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead before visiting since hours can be limited and Chris and Jennifer sometimes adjust their schedule based on production needs. The location in the business park can be a bit tricky to find, so use GPS and look for the suite number carefully. Weekends tend to be better for longer conversations since they’re not juggling production tasks. Ask Chris about his transition from military service to distilling – he’s got great stories about learning the craft and setting up the operation. If you’re serious about spirits, bring specific questions about mash bills, aging, or their equipment because they love talking shop with fellow enthusiasts. Don’t expect a lengthy formal tour, but do expect genuine conversation about their approach to distilling.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Axe and the Oak Distillery — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to call ahead to visit?

Yes, definitely call ahead since this is a small operation and the owners adjust their tasting room hours around production schedules. They want to make sure someone’s available to give you proper attention when you visit.

Is this hard to find in the business park?

It can be a bit tricky since it’s in a strip mall setting rather than a standalone building. Use GPS and look carefully for the suite number – it’s not as obvious as some distilleries with big signage.

What’s the atmosphere like compared to other distilleries?

It’s much more casual and intimate than most distillery experiences. Think neighborhood craft workshop rather than polished tourist destination. You’ll likely chat directly with the founders rather than tour guides, which makes for more authentic conversations about the distilling process.

GETTING THERE

Find Axe and the Oak Distillery

📍4665 Town Center Dr #140, Colorado Springs, CO 80916, USA

—

📞 (719) 203-5142

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 Colorado