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

Pennsylvania

CJ Spirits Craft Distillery

Kane,

Pennsylvania

— Bourbon, Rye, Moonshine

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🔧

Engineering Background

Custom still modifications from mechanical engineer

🏠

Garage to Distillery

Husband-wife team, weekend batches to business

🚗

Former Auto Shop

Hydraulic lifts still visible under tasting room

🌾

Pennsylvania Wilds

One of few distilleries in remote region

🥃

Seasonal Moonshine

Apple pie and cinnamon, changes with Chris’s experiments

📞

Call Ahead

Personal tours with Chris and Jen themselves

📞 (814) 837-1500

🌐 http://cjspirits.com/

📍 120 Willow Run Dr, Kane, PA 16735, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Former Auto Shop Now Makes Whiskey

CJ Spirits Craft Distillery sits in Kane, Pennsylvania, a small town in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds region. Founded by Chris and Jen Michaels (the CJ behind the name) in 2018, this husband-and-wife operation turned their shared passion for craft spirits into a legitimate distillery operation after years of home experimentation. Chris, a former mechanical engineer, handles the production side while Jen manages the business operations and visitor experience. They converted a former auto repair shop on Willow Run Drive into their 3,000-square-foot distillery, complete with a custom-built 500-gallon copper still and aging room. The operation focuses primarily on bourbon, rye whiskey, and seasonal moonshine varieties, with everything made on-site using locally sourced grains when possible. The intimate space combines industrial elements from the building’s automotive past with warm wood finishes and exposed brick, creating an atmosphere that feels more like visiting friends than touring a commercial facility. What started as weekend batches in their garage has evolved into a legitimate craft distillery that’s become a point of pride for Kane, giving locals and visitors alike a reason to discover this corner of rural Pennsylvania.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

True Small Batch Engineering Precision

CJ Spirits operates on a genuinely small scale that sets it apart from larger craft distilleries. Their 500-gallon still allows them to produce roughly 1,000 bottles per batch, meaning they’re talking true small-batch production rather than marketing speak. Chris Michaels’ engineering background shows in their approach to distillation – he’s modified traditional techniques with precise temperature controls and custom fermentation timing that he developed through years of experimentation. They’re also one of the few distilleries in the Pennsylvania Wilds region, making them a genuine discovery for visitors exploring this remote area. The building itself tells a story, with original hydraulic lifts still visible beneath the tasting room floor and automotive bay doors that now open to reveal copper stills and aging barrels.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Meet the Actual Distillers

You’ll be greeted by either Chris or Jen personally – this isn’t a place with multiple tour guides or scripted presentations. The tour takes you through their compact operation, where you can see the entire process from grain to bottle in one space. Chris enjoys explaining the technical aspects of their distillation process, and you’ll get to see their custom still setup and hear about the modifications he’s made. The tasting happens at a reclaimed wood bar where Jen walks you through their current offerings, usually including their flagship bourbon, rye, and whatever seasonal spirit they’re working on. The whole experience feels conversational rather than commercial, and you’ll likely leave knowing more about the actual science of distilling than you expected.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Worth the Drive To Rural Pennsylvania

If you’re looking for a polished, large-scale distillery experience, this isn’t it. But if you want to meet actual craft distillers who can explain every aspect of their process and taste spirits that are truly made in small batches, CJ Spirits delivers. It’s particularly appealing to spirits enthusiasts who appreciate the technical side of distilling and want to support genuinely independent operations. The rural location means it’s not a quick stop – you’re making a deliberate trip to Kane – but that also means you’re not dealing with crowds or rushed experiences. It’s best suited for people who value authenticity over polish and don’t mind that the selection might be limited to what’s currently available.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead to confirm they’re open and arrange a tour – this is a small operation without consistent walk-in hours. The GPS coordinates can be tricky in this rural area, so use the Willow Run Drive address and look for the industrial building with CJ Spirits signage. Parking is available right outside the building in what used to be the auto shop’s customer parking area. Ask Chris about his still modifications and fermentation process if you’re interested in the technical aspects – he’s happy to dive deep into the science. Their inventory rotates based on what’s ready, so don’t expect a full lineup of aged spirits. If they have their seasonal moonshine available, it’s worth trying for something different.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CJ Spirits Craft Distillery — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to make an appointment to visit?

Yes, definitely call ahead. Chris and Jen run the operation themselves, so they need to know you’re coming to ensure someone’s available for tours and tastings. Walk-ins aren’t reliable since they might be focused on production work.

How long are their spirits aged?

They use smaller 15-gallon barrels instead of standard 53-gallon barrels, which accelerates the aging process. Their bourbon and rye typically age 6-18 months in the smaller barrels, which provides flavor development similar to longer aging in larger barrels.

What makes their distilling process different?

Chris’s engineering background shows in their precise temperature controls and custom fermentation timing. He’s modified traditional distillation techniques with his own innovations, and he’s happy to explain the technical details during tours for those interested in the science behind the process.

GETTING THERE

Find CJ Spirits Craft Distillery

📍120 Willow Run Dr, Kane, PA 16735, USA

—

📞 (814) 837-1500

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