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

California

The Obscure

Los Angeles,

California

— Vodka, Gin

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

📞 (213) 513-7521

🌐 https://theobscure.com/

📍 1356 Palmetto St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

The Obscure sits in downtown LA’s Arts District at 1356 Palmetto Street, occupying a converted warehouse space that feels more like an art installation than your typical distillery. Founded in 2019 by Alex Villicana and Ryan Sproule, two former film industry professionals who traded Hollywood for handcrafted spirits, this operation started as a passion project that grew into something unexpectedly serious. Villicana had been home-distilling for years while working as a cinematographer, and Sproule brought business acumen from his producer background. They launched with a focus on premium vodka and gin, using a custom-built copper still system imported from Germany. The space itself tells their story—exposed brick walls, industrial lighting, and carefully curated details that reflect their creative backgrounds. You’ll find premium spirits that mirror their artistic sensibilities, with small-batch vodka and botanically complex gins that have earned recognition in LA’s competitive craft spirits scene.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

WHAT SETS THEM APART

The Obscure bridges the gap between LA’s creative culture and craft distilling in ways you won’t find elsewhere. Villicana and Sproule’s film industry backgrounds show up everywhere—from the cinematic lighting design in their tasting room to their approach to brand storytelling and product development. They’re using a 500-liter German copper still system with custom modifications they designed themselves, allowing for precise control over their distillation process. The location in the Arts District puts them at the heart of LA’s creative renaissance, and they’ve embraced that energy by hosting film screenings, art exhibitions, and collaborative events with local artists. Their vodka undergoes a seven-stage distillation process, and their gin features botanicals sourced from California farms alongside traditional ingredients.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Walking into The Obscure feels like entering a carefully designed film set—which makes sense given the founders’ backgrounds. The tasting room combines industrial warehouse bones with thoughtful touches like vintage leather seating and custom lighting that creates an intimate atmosphere despite the large space. Tastings happen at a sleek bar where you can watch the distillation process through glass partitions. The staff, often including the founders themselves, guide you through their spirits with the kind of detail-oriented passion you’d expect from people who left successful careers to chase this dream. The vodka tasting reveals subtle differences between their various expressions, while the gin flight showcases their botanical creativity.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

If you’re into craft spirits and appreciate the intersection of creativity and quality, The Obscure delivers something genuinely different from typical distillery visits. This isn’t a rustic farm operation or a industrial-scale facility—it’s a uniquely LA experience that reflects the city’s artistic energy. The spirits are legitimately good, especially if you’re a vodka or gin person looking for something beyond the mainstream. However, if you’re seeking a traditional whiskey distillery experience or prefer more established operations with extensive tour programs, this might not hit your mark. The Obscure works best for people who enjoy discovering smaller operations where you can actually talk with the people making the spirits.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Book ahead through their website since they operate by appointment and space is limited in their intimate tasting room. The Arts District location is easy to reach but parking can be tricky during busy periods—there’s street parking and a few lots nearby, but give yourself extra time. Thursday through Saturday evenings tend to be their busiest times, while weekday afternoons offer a more relaxed experience where you’re likely to spend more time with Villicana or Sproule directly. Ask about their distillation process modifications—they love talking about the technical details. The gin tasting is their standout experience, so don’t skip it if you’re even remotely interested in botanicals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Obscure — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, The Obscure operates by appointment only. You’ll need to book through their website or call ahead. They don’t accept walk-ins due to their small space and personalized experience format.

What’s the parking situation in the Arts District?

Street parking is available but can be limited during busy periods. There are several paid lots within a block or two. Give yourself extra time, especially on weekend evenings when the Arts District gets crowded.

Can I buy bottles to take home?

Yes, they sell bottles on-site of their vodka and gin expressions. Prices reflect the premium small-batch nature of their production, and they often have limited releases available only at the distillery.

GETTING THERE

Find The Obscure

📍1356 Palmetto St, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA

—

📞 (213) 513-7521

The 50 States of Whiskey

Find a Craft Distillery

Search from nearly 1,500 Distilleries
in all 50 States

Never Miss A Thing

Subscribe to our Newsletter

SMART BUYING GUIDES

The Right Gear Matters

Honest recommendations on everything around the bottle.

Best Clear Ice Makers for Bourbon (2026)

The Best Bourbon Decanters: A No-Nonsense Guide to What’s Actually Worth Buying

The Best Home Bar Carts and Bar Cabinets for Bourbon Lovers (2026 Guide)

Best Bourbon Smoker Kits (2026) – Worth the Smoke?

Best Whiskey Glasses for Bourbon: 5 Glasses Every Bourbon Drinker Should Own

NEAT OR NOT

Whiskey Reviews

RD1 Distillery

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating:

Tom’s Foolery Farm and Distillery

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating:

Leather & Oak Spirits

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating:

Barrel 21 Distillery

Kentucky

Neat or Not Rating:

KEEP EXPLORING California