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

New Hampshire

Cold Garden Spirits

Canterbury,

New Hampshire

— Vodka, Gin

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🥔

Local Potatoes

Canterbury farms to bottle vodka

🌿

Seasonal Gin

Elderflower summer, pine tips winter

👫

Husband Wife

Scott distills, Heather runs operations

🏚️

Converted Barn

Renovated specifically for small batch

🔥

Custom Copper

Single still, tight quality control

📞

Call Ahead

Hours vary with production schedule

📞 (603) 273-6505

🌐 http://coldgardenspirits.com/

📍 338 Shaker Rd, Canterbury, NH 03224, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

A Converted Barn That Makes New Hampshire Spirits

Cold Garden Spirits sits on 338 Shaker Road in Canterbury, New Hampshire, tucked into the scenic countryside about 20 minutes northeast of Concord. Founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Heather McClendon in 2017, this small-batch distillery emerged from Scott’s background in brewing and their shared passion for creating premium spirits using local ingredients. The distillery operates out of a converted barn-style building that they renovated specifically for distillation, creating an intimate production space where they craft vodka, gin, and seasonal spirits. The name “Cold Garden” reflects both New Hampshire’s climate and their commitment to using botanicals and ingredients that thrive in cooler northern conditions. Scott handles the distillation side while Heather manages operations and marketing, making this truly a family operation where visitors often interact directly with the founders during tastings and tours. They focus on small-batch production using a custom copper still, allowing them to maintain tight quality control and experiment with unique flavor profiles that showcase New England’s agricultural heritage.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Seasonal Botanicals That Change Every Batch

Cold Garden distinguishes itself through its hyperlocal approach to ingredient sourcing and its seasonal production philosophy. The McClendoms work directly with New Hampshire farms to source botanicals for their gin and use locally grown potatoes for their vodka base, creating spirits that literally taste of their terroir. Their gin recipes change seasonally based on what botanicals are available, meaning spring batches might feature different flavor profiles than fall releases. The distillery’s small scale allows them to experiment with limited runs that larger operations couldn’t justify, and their willingness to adapt recipes based on seasonal ingredient availability creates a constantly evolving portfolio that keeps regular visitors coming back to try new expressions.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Meet the Makers In Their Element

Visits to Cold Garden feel more like dropping by friends who happen to make excellent spirits than a corporate distillery tour. The McClendoms personally lead most tastings in their cozy tasting room, sharing stories about their journey from brewing to distilling and explaining their seasonal ingredient philosophy. You’ll get to see their copper still up close and learn about their small-batch process, often catching them in the middle of actual production runs. The atmosphere is relaxed and conversational, with tastings focusing on understanding how local ingredients translate into distinct flavor profiles. The space itself feels warm and welcoming, with rustic touches that reflect the agricultural setting without feeling overly precious about it.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

For Spirit Lovers Seeking Authenticity

Cold Garden is perfect for spirits enthusiasts who appreciate the craft distillery experience at its most authentic level. If you enjoy meeting the actual people behind the products and learning about hyperlocal ingredient sourcing, you’ll find their approach refreshing. The seasonal nature of their offerings means each visit offers something different, making it particularly appealing to locals who can return throughout the year. However, if you’re looking for a polished, large-scale operation with extensive tours and elaborate facilities, this might feel too intimate or limited. The focus is squarely on quality spirits and genuine hospitality rather than entertainment value, so your enjoyment depends on how much you value that direct connection to the makers.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead or check their social media before visiting, as hours can vary with production schedules and seasonal closures. The distillery is a bit off the beaten path, so use GPS and look for the barn-style building rather than elaborate signage. Weekend afternoons tend to offer the best chance of catching both Scott and Heather available for extended conversations about their process. Ask specifically about their seasonal gin variations and when they expect their next batch releases. Parking is available on-site, but the gravel lot can get muddy during New Hampshire’s mud season in early spring. If you’re interested in their production process, try to time your visit during weekday afternoons when they’re more likely to be actively distilling.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Cold Garden Spirits — Visitor FAQ

How do the seasonal gin recipes actually differ throughout the year?

Cold Garden changes their botanical blend based on what’s available locally each season. Spring gins might feature fresh herbs and early flowers, while fall versions incorporate late-harvest botanicals like rosehips or pine tips. The juniper base remains constant, but the supporting botanicals create distinctly different flavor profiles.

Do I need to call ahead or can I just drop by?

You should definitely call ahead or check their social media first. As a small operation, their hours can vary with production schedules, and Scott and Heather want to make sure someone’s available to give you proper attention during your visit.

What makes their vodka different from other craft vodkas?

They use locally grown New Hampshire potatoes as their base rather than grain, which gives their vodka subtle earthy undertones and a slightly different mouthfeel. The small-batch distillation also allows them to maintain more character than heavily filtered commercial vodkas.

GETTING THERE

Find Cold Garden Spirits

📍338 Shaker Rd, Canterbury, NH 03224, USA

—

📞 (603) 273-6505

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