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

North Dakota

Proof Artisan Distillers

Fargo,

North Dakota

— Vodka, Gin, Bourbon

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🌾

Local Grains

Wheat and corn from 100 miles

🏭

Downtown Warehouse

Working distillery in arts district

🥃

Personal Tours

Founders often lead tastings themselves

🥇

State Pioneer

First legal distillery since Prohibition

⚗️

Small Batches

Multiple fermentations for flavor control

🌿

Foraged Botanicals

Prairie sage in their signature gin

📞 (701) 639-4600

🌐 http://www.proofdistillers.com/

📍 414 4th Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

North Dakota's First Distillery Since Prohibition

Proof Artisan Distillers opened in 2015 in downtown Fargo, bringing North Dakota its first craft distillery since Prohibition. Founded by entrepreneurs Aaron Johnson and Russ Buxton, who left their corporate careers to chase a passion project that started in Johnson’s garage, the distillery operates out of a 4,000-square-foot converted warehouse space on 4th Avenue North. They produce vodka, gin, bourbon, and seasonal spirits using a custom 500-gallon copper still from Vendome Copper & Brass Works. The downtown location puts you right in Fargo’s growing arts district, where the industrial building maintains its warehouse feel with exposed brick and high ceilings. Johnson and Buxton spent two years navigating North Dakota’s liquor laws before opening, making them pioneers in the state’s craft spirits movement. The operation stays deliberately small-batch, with head distiller Johnson focusing on quality over volume while Buxton handles the business side and customer experience.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Prairie Grains and Pioneer Spirit

Proof holds the distinction of being North Dakota’s first legal distillery since Prohibition ended, making them genuine pioneers in a state with virtually no distilling tradition. They source their wheat and corn from farms within 100 miles of Fargo, creating truly local spirits that reflect the Red River Valley’s agricultural heritage. Their signature approach involves multiple small fermentations rather than large batches, allowing for more control over flavor development. The downtown warehouse location is unusual for a distillery—most craft operations choose rural settings, but Proof embraced the urban environment to be part of Fargo’s cultural revival.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Industrial Warehouse Where Real Work Happens

You’ll step into a working distillery where the smell of fermenting grain and copper stills creates an authentic industrial atmosphere. Johnson or Buxton often lead tours personally, walking you through their grain-to-glass process and explaining how they adapted traditional techniques for their North Dakota ingredients. The tasting room occupies one corner of the production space, so you’re literally surrounded by the operation while sampling spirits. Tours last about 45 minutes and include tastings of their core lineup plus whatever seasonal experiments they’re working on. The experience feels intimate and educational rather than polished—you’re getting the real story from the guys who built this thing.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Authentic Craft Story Worth the Stop

This appeals most to spirits enthusiasts who appreciate the story behind their drinks and want to support genuine craft operations. You’ll learn about the challenges of starting a distillery in a state with no infrastructure for it, which makes for compelling conversation. Don’t expect a slick operation with professional tour guides and elaborate tasting rooms—this is scrappy and authentic. If you’re passing through Fargo or live in the region, it’s definitely worth the stop to taste spirits made from local ingredients and support North Dakota’s craft distilling revival. Bourbon hunters should temper expectations since their whiskey is still young, but their vodka and gin show real craftsmanship.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead or check their website before visiting since they’re a small operation with limited staff and sometimes close for production days. Weekend afternoons typically offer the best chance of catching Johnson or Buxton for a personal tour. Ask specifically about their grain sourcing if you’re interested in the local agriculture angle—they love talking about their relationships with area farmers. The downtown location has street parking that can be tricky during business hours, but evenings and weekends are easier. If you’re buying bottles, their gin tends to be the crowd favorite while their bourbon is still aging into its potential.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Proof Artisan Distillers — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to make reservations for tours?

Reservations aren’t required but are recommended, especially for weekend visits. They’re a small operation so calling ahead ensures someone will be available to give you the full tour experience.

How long has Proof been operating?

Proof opened in 2015 after two years of planning and navigating North Dakota’s liquor laws. They’re the first legal distillery in the state since Prohibition ended.

What makes their spirits different from other craft distilleries?

They source all their grains from farms within 100 miles of Fargo, creating genuinely local spirits that reflect North Dakota’s agricultural character. Their small-batch approach and urban warehouse location also set them apart from typical craft distillery models.

GETTING THERE

Find Proof Artisan Distillers

📍414 4th Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102, USA

—

📞 (701) 639-4600

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Proof Artisan Distillers

North Dakota's First Distillery Since Prohibition

Prairie Grains and Pioneer Spirit

Industrial Warehouse Where Real Work Happens

Authentic Craft Story Worth the Stop

Proof Artisan Distillers — Visitor FAQ