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

Colorado

Spirit Hound Distillers Highlands Tasting Room

Denver,

Colorado

— Whiskey, Gin

TASTINGS

COCKTAILS

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (303) 823-5643

🌐 https://www.spirithounds.com/

📍 3622 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Spirit Hound Distillers opened their Highland neighborhood tasting room at 3622 Tejon Street in 2017, bringing their Lyons-based distillery operation to Denver’s craft spirits scene. Founded by Craig Engelhorn, a former software engineer who traded coding for distilling, Spirit Hound launched in 2012 with a focus on straight malted whiskeys and botanical spirits. The Highland tasting room occupies a converted warehouse space in one of Denver’s most walkable neighborhoods, serving as both cocktail bar and showcase for their full lineup of spirits produced in the foothills. Engelhorn’s journey into distilling started with homebrewing and evolved into a passion for malted barley spirits, leading him to establish Colorado’s first distillery dedicated primarily to straight malted whiskey. The company takes its name from the folklore surrounding distilleries and their loyal canine companions who historically guarded the premises. Master distiller Engelhorn focuses on traditional Scottish and Irish whiskey-making techniques adapted for Colorado’s high-altitude environment, using 100% malted barley in their flagship whiskeys and sourcing botanicals from Colorado farms for their gin. The Highland tasting room gives visitors a chance to experience Spirit Hound’s complete range without the drive to Lyons, featuring a full bar program that highlights their spirits in both neat pours and craft cocktails. The space maintains an industrial-chic vibe with exposed brick and reclaimed wood, creating an atmosphere that’s equal parts neighborhood hangout and spirits education center. You’ll find both whiskey nerds discussing mash bills and casual drinkers discovering that malted whiskey offers something completely different from bourbon.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Spirit Hound stands apart as Colorado’s only distillery focused primarily on straight malted whiskey, using 100% malted barley instead of the corn-heavy mash bills typical of American whiskey. Engelhorn employs traditional Scottish pot still techniques adapted for Colorado’s 5,280-foot elevation, which affects both fermentation and aging processes. Their Highland tasting room represents a unique model in craft spirits – it’s essentially an urban outpost for a mountain distillery, letting Denver drinkers access small-batch spirits without leaving the city. The focus on malted barley creates whiskeys with completely different flavor profiles than bourbon, emphasizing cereal sweetness and complexity over the vanilla-caramel notes typical of corn-based spirits.

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

You’ll walk into a converted warehouse space that feels more like a well-designed neighborhood bar than a typical distillery tasting room, with exposed brick walls and communal tables encouraging conversation. The bartenders are trained not just in cocktail craft but in explaining Spirit Hound’s production methods and the differences between malted whiskey and more familiar American styles. Tastings focus on understanding how malted barley creates different flavor profiles, often comparing their whiskeys side-by-side with bourbons to highlight the distinctions. The cocktail menu showcases their spirits in both classic preparations and original creations designed specifically around malted whiskey’s unique characteristics.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

If you’re curious about American whiskey beyond bourbon and rye, Spirit Hound’s Highland location offers an accessible education in malted whiskey without requiring a mountain drive. The tasting room works well for both spirits enthusiasts wanting to explore something genuinely different and casual drinkers looking for quality cocktails in a neighborhood setting. Don’t expect traditional distillery tours or production displays – this is purely about tasting and learning. It’s particularly valuable for anyone interested in understanding how different grains affect whiskey flavor, since malted barley creates profiles that bourbon drinkers often find surprising and complex.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

The Highland location is a tasting room only, so don’t expect to see stills or production equipment – that’s all in Lyons. Parking on Tejon Street can be competitive during peak hours, but the neighborhood is very walkable from other Highland destinations. Come with an open mind about malted whiskey if you’re primarily a bourbon drinker – the flavor profiles are genuinely different and worth experiencing neat before mixing into cocktails. Ask about their current barrel program releases, as Spirit Hound often has limited bottlings available only at their tasting rooms. The staff genuinely knows their products and production methods, so don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions about their processes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Spirit Hound Distillers Highlands Tasting Room — Visitor FAQ

What’s the difference between malted whiskey and bourbon?

Malted whiskey uses 100% malted barley instead of bourbon’s corn-heavy mash bill, creating completely different flavor profiles. Where bourbon emphasizes vanilla and caramel from corn, malted whiskey showcases cereal sweetness and complexity from the malted grain. It’s closer to Irish or Scottish whiskey styles than traditional American whiskey.

Can I tour the actual distillery at this location?

No, the Highland location is a tasting room only. The actual distillery and production facility is located in Lyons, Colorado. This Denver location focuses on tastings, cocktails, and bottle sales of spirits produced at their mountain facility.

Do you have spirits other than whiskey?

Yes, Spirit Hound also produces a botanical gin featuring Colorado-grown ingredients including lavender. While malted whiskey is their primary focus, the gin showcases their commitment to using local botanicals and traditional distilling methods for different spirit categories.

GETTING THERE

Find Spirit Hound Distillers Highlands Tasting Room

📍3622 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211, USA

—

📞 (303) 823-5643

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