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

Ohio

Northside Distilling Co.

Cincinnati,

Ohio

— Bourbon, Rye, Gin

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🌾

Local Grains

Ohio farms within 150 miles

🏭

Historic Building

1800s brick in Over-the-Rhine

⚱️

Copper Pot Stills

Small batches, precise control

📚

Lost History

Queen City whiskey heritage revived

👨‍🔬

Founder Led

Mike Stankovich tells the story

🥃

Educational Focus

Learn grain-to-glass and Cincinnati past

📞 (513) 760-9611

🌐 https://www.northsidedistilling.com/

📍 922 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Cincinnati Bourbon Returns to Its Roots

Northside Distilling Co. sits in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine district at 922 Race Street, occupying a restored 19th-century brick building that perfectly captures the neighborhood’s industrial heritage. Founded in 2014 by Mike Stankovich, the distillery represents Cincinnati’s return to its pre-Prohibition distilling roots when the city was known as the “Queen City of Pork and Whiskey.” Stankovich, who previously worked in craft brewing, saw an opportunity to revive the local spirits tradition using locally-sourced grains and traditional copper pot stills. The 4,000-square-foot facility produces bourbon, rye whiskey, and gin, focusing on small-batch production that emphasizes quality over quantity. The distillery opened its doors to the public in 2015, quickly becoming a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s growing craft spirits scene and helping to establish the Queen City Whiskey Trail alongside other local producers.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Pre-Prohibition Recipes In Historic Brick

Northside Distilling stands out for its commitment to Cincinnati’s historical distilling legacy, using recipes and techniques that pay homage to the city’s pre-Prohibition era when it was a major whiskey-producing center. The distillery sources all of its grains from Ohio farms within a 150-mile radius, supporting local agriculture while ensuring complete control over their supply chain. Their copper pot still system allows for precise control over each batch, and they age their whiskey in charred American oak barrels stored in climate-controlled rickhouses. What really sets them apart is their focus on educating visitors about Cincinnati’s lost distilling history—many people don’t realize the city was once home to dozens of distilleries before Prohibition wiped them out.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Copper Stills and Cincinnati History

When you walk into Northside Distilling, you’re greeted by the warm smell of aging whiskey and the sight of gleaming copper stills housed in the restored brick building. Tours typically last 45 minutes and include a detailed explanation of their grain-to-glass process, from milling Ohio-grown corn and wheat to the distillation and aging process. You’ll get to see the mash tuns, fermentation tanks, and copper pot stills up close while learning about Cincinnati’s distilling heritage. The tasting room features reclaimed wood and industrial fixtures that complement the building’s historic character, and tastings include their core lineup of spirits with detailed explanations of flavor profiles and production methods. The staff, often including founder Mike Stankovich himself, are genuinely passionate about both the craft and the history.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

More Than Whiskey It's Heritage

If you’re interested in craft spirits and Cincinnati history, Northside Distilling offers a genuinely educational experience that goes beyond typical distillery tours. The focus on local ingredients and historical context makes it particularly appealing to visitors who want to understand the regional significance of what they’re drinking. It’s not the largest or flashiest operation, but that intimate scale means you get more personal attention and can actually have conversations with the people making the spirits. Bourbon and rye enthusiasts will appreciate the quality of the products, while history buffs will enjoy learning about Cincinnati’s forgotten role in American whiskey production. The Over-the-Rhine location also puts you in one of Cincinnati’s most interesting neighborhoods for exploring before or after your visit.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Tours and tastings are available by appointment, so call ahead or check their website to book—don’t just show up expecting availability. Weekend tours tend to fill up faster, so book early if you’re visiting then. The distillery is located in Over-the-Rhine, which has plenty of street parking but can get busy on weekends, so plan for a short walk. If you’re driving, the GPS coordinates can be tricky in the narrow streets, so look for the historic brick building with the Northside Distilling sign. Ask specifically about their aging process and local grain sourcing if you’re interested in production details—they’re happy to go deeper into the technical aspects. Consider making it part of a larger Over-the-Rhine exploration since the neighborhood has excellent restaurants and breweries within walking distance.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Northside Distilling Co. — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to book tours in advance?

Yes, tours and tastings are by appointment only. Call ahead or check their website to reserve your spot, especially for weekend visits which fill up quickly.

What’s the connection to Cincinnati’s whiskey history?

Before Prohibition, Cincinnati was known as the ‘Queen City of Pork and Whiskey’ with dozens of distilleries. Northside Distilling helps revive that tradition using historical techniques and locally-sourced Ohio grains.

Where do you source your grains?

All grains come from Ohio farms within 150 miles of the distillery, supporting local agriculture and ensuring complete control over the supply chain from farm to bottle.

GETTING THERE

Find Northside Distilling Co.

📍922 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA

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📞 (513) 760-9611

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