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

Maine

New England Distilling Co

Portland,

Maine

— Gin, Rum, Vodka, Rye

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

⚖️

Legal Pioneer

First to change Maine distillery laws

🌽

Local Sourcing

Maine corn from Buckwheat Family Farm

⚓

Eight Bells

Blackstrap molasses aged in charred oak

🏭

Real Workshop

Converted auto shop keeps industrial feel

👨‍💻

Tech Dropout

Software engineer turned distilling pioneer

🍾

Small Batch

Only 2000 cases per year

📞 (207) 878-9759

🌐 http://www.newenglanddistilling.com/

📍 26 Evergreen Dr, Portland, ME 04103, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Maine's First Legal Distillery Since Prohibition

New England Distilling sits in Portland’s Industrial Way neighborhood in a converted warehouse that perfectly captures Maine’s working waterfront spirit. Founded in 2009 by Ned Wight, a former software engineer who left the tech world to chase his passion for craft spirits, this was Maine’s first legal distillery since Prohibition ended in 1933. Wight literally had to work with state legislators to change laws that would allow craft distilleries to operate and sell directly to consumers. The 4,000-square-foot facility houses copper pot stills and fermentation tanks where they produce gin, rum, vodka, and whiskey using locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. The operation started small with Wight doing everything himself, from mashing grain to bottling spirits by hand. Today, the team has grown but maintains that hands-on approach, with Wight still involved in daily production. The distillery occupies a former auto body shop that they’ve transformed into a working distillery with exposed brick walls and industrial fixtures that feel authentically Maine rather than polished for tourists.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Where One Man Changed State Law

This is literally where Maine’s modern craft distillery movement began. Wight didn’t just start a business – he had to change state law to make it possible, working directly with legislators to create the legal framework that now allows dozens of craft distilleries to operate across Maine. They’re committed to using Maine ingredients, sourcing corn from Buckwheat Family Farm in Palmyra and working with local suppliers for other grains. Their Eight Bells Rum uses blackstrap molasses and is aged in charred American oak, while their Ingenium Gin features nine botanicals including Maine-grown juniper. The scale remains intentionally small – they produce around 2,000 cases annually, allowing them to maintain quality control that larger operations can’t match.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Working Warehouse Not Tourist Attraction

You’ll walk into what feels like an active workshop rather than a polished tasting room, which is exactly the point. The space smells like fermenting grain and oak barrels, and you can see the entire operation from the small tasting area. Tastings happen right in the production space, so you’re literally surrounded by the stills and barrels where your spirits were made. Wight or other team members often lead tastings personally, explaining their process and the story behind each spirit. The atmosphere is casual and educational rather than fancy – think more maker space than luxury experience. You can see through to the barrel aging area and watch bottling when it’s happening.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Essential for Spirit History Buffs

If you’re interested in craft spirits and want to understand how the Maine distilling scene began, this is essential. You’re getting the authentic story of someone who literally changed state law to follow his passion, and you can taste the results of that dedication. The spirits are genuinely good, particularly their rum and gin, and the prices are reasonable. This isn’t for people looking for elaborate tours or fancy cocktail experiences – it’s for folks who want to meet the actual distillers and understand small-batch production. The educational value is high, especially if Wight is there to tell the story himself. Whiskey enthusiasts should manage expectations since they’re not primarily a whiskey operation, but gin and rum lovers will find some excellent bottles.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead because they don’t keep regular public hours – this is primarily a working distillery, not a destination tasting room. Weekday afternoons often work best when production isn’t running. Ask specifically about their rum if you’re tasting – it’s their standout product and shows their commitment to quality ingredients. The location can be tricky to find since it’s in an industrial area, so use GPS and look for the small New England Distilling sign on the building. Don’t expect a polished experience – embrace the working distillery vibe. If you’re lucky enough to visit when Wight is there, ask about the early days of changing Maine’s distillery laws – it’s a fascinating story about persistence and working with government to create change.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

New England Distilling Co — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to make an appointment to visit?

Yes, definitely call ahead. This is a working production facility first, and they don’t keep regular tasting room hours. They’re usually happy to accommodate visitors, but you need to arrange it in advance to make sure someone’s available.

What’s the story about changing Maine’s distillery laws?

When founder Ned Wight wanted to start the distillery in 2009, Maine law didn’t allow craft distilleries to sell directly to consumers. He worked with state legislators to change the laws, creating the legal framework that now allows craft distilleries throughout Maine to operate and sell on-site.

Which spirit should I try first?

Their Eight Bells Rum is really exceptional and shows their commitment to quality ingredients and aging. It’s made with blackstrap molasses and aged in charred American oak, giving it complexity you don’t find in most craft rums. The Ingenium Gin is also excellent if you prefer botanical spirits.

GETTING THERE

Find New England Distilling Co

📍26 Evergreen Dr, Portland, ME 04103, USA

—

📞 (207) 878-9759

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