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

Vermont

Smugglers’ Notch Distillery & Vermont Distillers Tasting Room

Burlington,

Vermont

— Bourbon, Rye, Vodka, Gin

TASTINGS

COCKTAILS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🌽

Local Grain

Vermont corn and rye within fifty miles

🍁

Maple Barrels

Syrup barrel finishing creates unique bourbon

🏛️

First Bourbon

Vermont’s original bourbon distillery since 2006

🥔

Potato Vodka

Green Mountain potatoes filtered through granite

🌿

Foraged Gin

Elderflower and Vermont botanicals by hand

🏙️

Downtown Access

Church Street location beats rural facility

📞 (802) 861-2071

🌐 http://www.vermontdistillers.com/

📍 28 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Downtown Tasting Room Vermont's First Bourbon

Smugglers’ Notch Distillery operates their tasting room right on Church Street in downtown Burlington, bringing Vermont-made spirits to the heart of the city. Founded by Ron Elliott, a former tech executive who traded Silicon Valley for the Green Mountains, the distillery started production in 2006 with a mission to create premium spirits using Vermont ingredients. The name pays homage to the historic smuggling route between Vermont and Canada, where bootleggers once moved contraband through the mountain pass. Elliott partnered with master distiller Jeremy Elliott (no relation) to develop their lineup of bourbon, rye, vodka, and gin. The Burlington tasting room opened as their flagship retail location, giving visitors a chance to sample their full range without making the trek to their production facility.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Maple Barrel Finishing Only in Vermont

This is Vermont’s first bourbon distillery, breaking ground in a state better known for maple syrup and craft beer. They’re one of the few distilleries using Vermont-grown corn and rye in their mash bills, sourcing directly from local farms within 50 miles of their facility. Their bourbon uses a unique finishing process with Vermont maple syrup barrels, creating flavor profiles you won’t find elsewhere. The downtown Burlington location puts craft spirits in the middle of the city’s food and beer scene, making it accessible to visitors who might not seek out a rural distillery.

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Church Street Sampling Not Tourist Crowds

You’ll walk into a cozy tasting room that feels more like a craft cocktail bar than a typical distillery shop. The space showcases their full lineup with knowledgeable staff who can walk you through their production process and the story behind each spirit. Tastings are intimate affairs where you’ll sample their core lineup while learning about their Vermont sourcing and unique finishing techniques. The downtown location means you can easily combine a visit with dinner or drinks elsewhere in Burlington’s Church Street area.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Perfect Burlington Stop Worth the Detour

If you’re exploring Burlington’s food and drink scene, this makes perfect sense as a stop. Bourbon enthusiasts will appreciate trying Vermont’s first bourbon, especially the maple barrel-finished expressions that you can’t get elsewhere. It’s not a full production facility tour, so don’t expect to see stills or barrels, but you will get quality tastings and solid education about Vermont distilling. The location makes it convenient for casual visitors who want to sample local spirits without committing to a rural distillery trip.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead to confirm hours since they sometimes close for private events. The Church Street location can be tricky to find parking, so consider the nearby parking garages or walking from other downtown spots. Ask specifically about their maple barrel-finished bourbon if you’re interested in trying something unique to Vermont. They often have limited releases available only at the tasting room. Since it’s downtown, you can easily combine this with other Burlington attractions like the waterfront or Church Street Marketplace.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Smugglers’ Notch Distillery & Vermont Distillers Tasting Room — Visitor FAQ

Is this where they actually make the spirits?

No, this is their tasting room and retail location. The actual distillery and production facility is located elsewhere in Vermont. Here you can taste and purchase their spirits, but you won’t see the distillation process.

What makes their bourbon different from other craft distilleries?

They’re Vermont’s first bourbon distillery and use Vermont-grown corn and rye in their mash bills. Their signature technique is finishing bourbon in Vermont maple syrup barrels, which creates unique flavor profiles you can’t find elsewhere.

How much does a tasting cost?

Tasting fees vary and may be waived with bottle purchases. Call ahead to confirm current pricing and availability, as they sometimes host private events that affect public hours.

GETTING THERE

Find Smugglers’ Notch Distillery & Vermont Distillers Tasting Room

📍28 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401, USA

—

📞 (802) 861-2071

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