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

North Carolina

Cape Fear Distillery

Elizabethtown,

North Carolina

— Bourbon, Moonshine

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🌽

Local Ingredients

North Carolina grains, regional flavors

🥃

Small Batches

Quality control bigger operations can’t match

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family Run

Personal stories, community connections

📍

Bourbon Street

The address tells the story

🔬

Educational Tours

Science and art behind every bottle

🛒

Exclusive Bottles

Spirits you won’t find elsewhere

📞 (910) 645-4291

🌐 http://www.capefeardistillery.com/

📍 277 Bourbon St, Elizabethtown, NC 28337, USA

Last Updated: 2026-02-11

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Small-Batch Spirits On Bourbon Street

Cape Fear Distillery sits on Bourbon Street in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, bringing craft spirits to Bladen County. This small-batch operation focuses on producing quality bourbon, moonshine, and other spirits using traditional methods combined with modern equipment. The distillery opened as part of North Carolina’s growing craft spirits movement, taking advantage of the state’s favorable distilling laws and agricultural resources. You’ll find this is a family-run operation that emphasizes local ingredients and community connections. The facility includes production space, tasting areas, and retail sales, giving visitors a complete craft distillery experience. They’ve built their reputation on producing authentic spirits that reflect North Carolina’s distilling heritage while appealing to modern palates.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Southeastern North Carolina's Only Craft Distillery

Cape Fear Distillery stands out as one of the few craft distilleries in southeastern North Carolina, serving a region that’s historically been more focused on agriculture than spirits production. The location on Bourbon Street creates an obvious nod to whiskey culture, and they’ve embraced that connection in their branding and approach. Their focus on small-batch production allows for more experimental approaches and quality control that larger operations can’t match. The distillery emphasizes North Carolina’s agricultural bounty, working with local grain suppliers when possible and incorporating regional flavors into their spirits.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Personal Attention Not Tourist Crowds

Visitors can tour the production facility to see the distilling process up close, from mashing and fermentation through distillation and aging. The tasting room offers samples of their current releases, allowing you to compare different expressions and understand how various techniques affect the final product. Staff members are knowledgeable about the distilling process and eager to explain the science and art behind their spirits. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, with a focus on education rather than just sales.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Real Craft Experience Worth the Drive

This distillery appeals most to craft spirits enthusiasts and those interested in North Carolina’s emerging distilling scene. You’ll get a genuine small-batch experience with personal attention from the team. However, don’t expect the polish and extensive amenities of larger operations. This is better suited for visitors who appreciate authentic craft production over entertainment value. If you’re exploring North Carolina distilleries or want to support local craft spirits, it’s worth the stop.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead to confirm hours and availability, as small distilleries sometimes adjust schedules based on production needs. The location is relatively easy to find, but GPS can be helpful since it’s not in a major tourist area. Ask about their production schedule if you’re interested in seeing active distilling. Try multiple expressions during tastings to understand their range. Purchase bottles on-site to support the operation and take home spirits you can’t find elsewhere.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Cape Fear Distillery — Visitor FAQ

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

While reservations aren’t always required, it’s smart to call ahead since this is a small operation. They can confirm they’ll be open and let you know if any special production activities will be happening during your visit.

What spirits do they produce?

Cape Fear Distillery focuses on bourbon and moonshine, along with other traditional spirits. Their small-batch approach allows them to experiment with different recipes and techniques.

Can I buy bottles to take home?

Yes, they sell bottles on-site, which is often the best way to get their spirits since distribution may be limited. This also supports the distillery directly and gives you access to expressions that might not be available elsewhere.

GETTING THERE

Find Cape Fear Distillery

📍277 Bourbon St, Elizabethtown, NC 28337, USA

—

📞 (910) 645-4291

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Cape Fear Distillery

Small-Batch Spirits On Bourbon Street

Southeastern North Carolina's Only Craft Distillery

Personal Attention Not Tourist Crowds

Real Craft Experience Worth the Drive

Cape Fear Distillery — Visitor FAQ