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 Jersey

Milk Street Distillery

Branchville,

New Jersey

— Bourbon, Rye, Vodka

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🥃

Small Batch

Bourbon and rye from actual copper stills

🏭

Industrial Space

Converted building focused on function over flash

👥

Founder Led

Eric and John still run every batch

📍

Rare Location

Few craft distilleries in northern New Jersey

🎓

Educational Tours

Learn from people who actually make it

🌾

Hands On

Grain to bottle personal oversight every step

📞 (973) 948-0178

🌐 http://www.milkstreetdistillery.com/

📍 1 Milk St building 1, Branchville, NJ 07826, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Small-Town New Jersey Craft Distillery

Milk Street Distillery sits in Branchville, New Jersey, a small Sussex County town where co-founders Eric Larsen and John Gilson decided to chase their shared passion for craft spirits. They opened in 2013 after converting a former industrial building on Milk Street into their production facility and tasting room. The distillery focuses on small-batch bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka, with Larsen handling the distillation process while Gilson manages the business side. You’ll find their operation housed in a straightforward industrial space that’s been retrofitted with copper stills and barrel aging areas. The setup reflects their practical approach to distilling—they’re more concerned with what’s in the bottle than fancy aesthetics. Their spirits have quietly built a following among locals and visitors exploring New Jersey’s growing craft distillery scene.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Traditional Pot Still In Rural Sussex County

What sets Milk Street apart is their commitment to traditional pot still distillation in an area where craft distilleries are still relatively rare. They’re among the handful of distilleries operating in northern New Jersey, giving them access to both New York City and Philadelphia markets while maintaining small-town overhead costs. The team takes a hands-on approach to every batch, with Larsen personally overseeing the distillation process from grain to bottle. Their location in rural Sussex County provides them with the space and quiet needed for proper aging, while their industrial building allows for future expansion as demand grows.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Working Distillery First Tasting Room Second

The tasting room experience at Milk Street is unpretentious and educational. You’ll taste their current lineup while learning about their distillation process from staff who actually work in production. The space feels more like a working distillery than a polished tourist destination, which means you get to see the real operation behind the spirits. Tours include a walk through their production area where you can see the stills in action and understand how they’re making everything on-site. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with tastings focused on understanding the flavors and techniques rather than flashy presentations.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Real Craft Education Worth the Drive

This distillery appeals most to spirits enthusiasts who appreciate learning about the craft behind the bottle rather than seeking an Instagram-worthy experience. You’ll get genuine insights into small-batch distillation and taste spirits that aren’t widely distributed. It’s particularly worth visiting if you’re exploring New Jersey’s craft distillery trail or want to support a local operation that’s focused on quality over marketing. Don’t expect elaborate tours or fancy facilities, but do expect honest conversations about distilling and well-made spirits. The visit works well as part of a broader exploration of Sussex County’s rural attractions.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead to confirm hours and availability since they operate with a small staff and production schedule can affect tasting room operations. The location is straightforward to find on Milk Street in downtown Branchville, with parking available on-site. Weekend visits often provide the best chance to meet the founders and see production in action. Ask about their aging process and how they’re developing their barrel program—it’s clearly a passion project for them. Bring cash or check payment methods as they may not always have card processing available for smaller purchases.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Milk Street Distillery — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to make a reservation for tastings?

Reservations aren’t required but calling ahead is recommended since they operate with a small staff and production schedule can sometimes affect tasting room availability. This ensures someone will be available to provide the full experience.

What spirits can I buy to take home?

They sell bottles of their bourbon, rye whiskey, and vodka on-site. Availability depends on current inventory and production batches, so selection may vary between visits.

How long should I plan for a visit?

Plan for about an hour if you’re doing both the tour and tasting. The experience can extend longer if you’re interested in detailed discussions about their distillation process and the founders are available to chat.

GETTING THERE

Find Milk Street Distillery

📍1 Milk St building 1, Branchville, NJ 07826, USA

—

📞 (973) 948-0178

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