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

Massachusetts

Spicy Water Distillery

Millbury,

Massachusetts

— Vodka, Gin

TASTINGS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (508) 581-4234

🌐 https://www.spicywaterdistillery.com/

📍 108 Elm St, Millbury, MA 01527, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Spicy Water Distillery sits at 108 Elm Street in Millbury, Massachusetts, a small operation that opened in 2019 founded by local entrepreneur Mike Sansoucy. After years working in the food service industry, Sansoucy decided to try his hand at craft distilling, converting a former auto repair shop into a compact distillery and tasting room. The space maintains some of its industrial character with concrete floors and exposed beams, but they’ve warmed it up with wood accents and a small bar area where visitors can sample their vodka, gin, and seasonal spirits. Sansoucy started small with a 50-gallon still and has been slowly building up production while learning the craft. He sources local ingredients when possible and focuses on clean, approachable spirits rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. The operation is still very much a one-man show with help from family and friends, giving it a genuine mom-and-pop feel that’s become rare in the craft distillery world. Visitors get an intimate experience here since the production area and tasting room share the same space. You can literally watch Sansoucy work while you sip, and he’s usually happy to explain what he’s doing or walk you through his process. It’s not fancy, but there’s something appealing about seeing a small business owner pour his energy into perfecting his craft one batch at a time.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

The intimate scale sets Spicy Water apart from larger craft distilleries. With production happening in the same room where you taste, there’s no separation between the making and the drinking. Sansoucy often runs the tastings himself, so you’re getting the story directly from the guy who made what you’re sipping. The converted auto shop gives it an authentic industrial vibe without trying too hard to be trendy, and the fact that it’s still a true small-batch operation means what you taste today might be slightly different from what they’re making next month as he continues refining recipes.

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

You’ll walk into what feels more like someone’s workshop than a polished tasting room, and that’s exactly the charm. The space is compact, so groups stay small and the experience feels personal. Sansoucy typically handles tastings himself when he’s not actively distilling, sharing stories about getting into the business and the challenges of starting from scratch. You can see the entire operation from where you stand at the bar, and the aroma of whatever’s being produced fills the space. Tastings are straightforward—no elaborate presentations, just good spirits and honest conversation about the process.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

If you’re looking for a polished, tour-bus-friendly experience, this isn’t it. But if you want to see what a real startup distillery looks like and support someone who’s genuinely passionate about the craft, it’s worth the stop. The spirits are solid if not revolutionary, and you’ll leave feeling like you’ve discovered something most people don’t know about. It’s perfect for spirit enthusiasts who appreciate the behind-the-scenes story and want to see how someone builds a distillery from the ground up. Just don’t expect elaborate cocktails or a gift shop full of branded merchandise.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead since Sansoucy sometimes closes for production or if he’s the only one there and gets tied up with distilling. The space is small, so large groups won’t work well. Parking is street parking along Elm Street, which is usually fine but can be tight on weekends. Ask about whatever seasonal project he’s working on since he likes to experiment with different ingredients throughout the year. The best visits happen when you catch him between batches and he has time to really talk through his process.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Spicy Water Distillery — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to make an appointment to visit?

It’s smart to call ahead since Mike sometimes closes for production work or might be tied up with distilling when you arrive. The operation is small enough that he’s often the only one there, so a quick call ensures he’ll be available to pour tastings.

What spirits do they make?

Their core lineup includes vodka and gin, with Mike experimenting with seasonal variations and limited releases throughout the year. Since it’s a small operation, what’s available can vary depending on what he’s been working on recently.

How big is the space?

Very small—it’s a converted auto repair shop with the production equipment and tasting area in the same room. This means groups need to stay small, but you get an up-close view of the entire operation while you taste.

GETTING THERE

Find Spicy Water Distillery

📍108 Elm St, Millbury, MA 01527, USA

—

📞 (508) 581-4234

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