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

Hawaii

RHS Royal Hawaii Spirits Distillery Bar Restaurant

Honolulu,

Hawaii

— Vodka, Gin, Rum

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (808) 741-6641

🌐 http://www.rhsdistillery.com/

📍 36 N King St, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

RHS Royal Hawaii Spirits sits right in downtown Honolulu on King Street, bringing craft distilling to the heart of the city. Founded by Ryan Higa and his partners, this operation combines a working distillery with a full restaurant and cocktail bar, making it more of a complete destination than your typical distillery visit. The team launched this venture to create spirits that reflect Hawaii’s unique ingredients and culture, using everything from local sugarcane to tropical botanicals in their production. The space itself feels modern and urban, fitting right into Honolulu’s evolving craft beverage scene. They’re producing vodka, gin, and rum, with each spirit designed to capture something distinctly Hawaiian in the bottle. The operation runs at a scale that lets them experiment with different botanicals and aging techniques while still maintaining the personal touch of a craft distillery. What sets them apart is the integration of the full dining experience with spirit production, so you can taste their products in crafted cocktails alongside a full menu. The distillery represents part of Hawaii’s growing movement to create premium spirits locally rather than importing everything from the mainland.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

RHS stands out by fully embracing Hawaiian ingredients and culture in their spirit production, using local sugarcane, tropical botanicals, and other island-sourced materials that you won’t find in mainland distilleries. The integration of a full restaurant and bar with the distillery operation creates a different experience than most craft distilleries, where you can see spirits being made and immediately taste them in expertly crafted cocktails. Their location in downtown Honolulu puts them in the middle of the urban scene rather than tucked away in an industrial area, making them accessible to both tourists and locals. The team’s commitment to representing Hawaiian flavors authentically, rather than just slapping tropical names on standard recipes, shows in their botanical selections and production methods.

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

You’ll find yourself in a modern space that balances the industrial elements of distillation with the comfort of a full restaurant and bar. The atmosphere feels contemporary and welcoming, with the production equipment visible so you can see the spirits being made while you eat and drink. The staff knows their spirits well and can walk you through the production process and ingredient sourcing that makes each product unique to Hawaii. You can taste their spirits neat or in cocktails that showcase how they work with other flavors, giving you a better sense of their character than a standard tasting flight. The food menu complements the spirits, and the whole experience feels more like discovering a great local spot than checking off a tourist activity.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

This works especially well for people who want to experience local craft spirits without the formal tour atmosphere of larger distilleries. If you’re interested in how Hawaiian ingredients translate into spirits, or you want to see craft distilling integrated into a real dining experience, RHS delivers something you won’t find elsewhere. It’s particularly good for groups who might have mixed interest in distilleries, since the restaurant and cocktail program gives everyone something to enjoy. The location makes it easy to incorporate into exploring downtown Honolulu rather than requiring a separate trip. You won’t get the extensive production tours or historical stories of larger operations, but you will get authentic local spirits and the chance to taste them in their intended context.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

The restaurant and bar operate on regular dining hours, so you don’t need to plan around limited distillery tour schedules like you would elsewhere. Try their spirits in cocktails first to understand how the Hawaiian botanicals work, then taste them neat if you want to dive deeper into the production nuances. The downtown location means parking can be challenging during busy times, so plan accordingly or use rideshare. Since they’re combining dining with distillery visits, you can make this part of a meal rather than squeezing it between other activities. Ask the bartenders about their ingredient sourcing, as they’re knowledgeable about the local suppliers and how different botanicals affect the final spirits.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

RHS Royal Hawaii Spirits Distillery Bar Restaurant — Visitor FAQ

Can I see the distillation process while I’m there?

Yes, the production equipment is visible from the restaurant and bar area, so you can see the distillation process while you eat and drink. The staff can explain what’s happening during production times.

Do I need to book a formal tour to learn about the spirits?

No formal tours are required. The staff at the bar and restaurant are knowledgeable about the spirits and production process, and they can provide information about ingredients and methods while you taste the products.

What makes their spirits uniquely Hawaiian?

RHS uses local Hawaiian ingredients like sugarcane and tropical botanicals that aren’t available to mainland distilleries. This creates flavor profiles that reflect the islands’ unique agricultural resources and cultural influences.

GETTING THERE

Find RHS Royal Hawaii Spirits Distillery Bar Restaurant

📍36 N King St, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA

—

📞 (808) 741-6641

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