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

New York

Twisted Cow Distillery

East Northport,

New York

— Vodka, Gin

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🌐 https://twistedcowdistillery.net/

📍 13 Hewitt Square, East Northport, NY 11731, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

Twisted Cow Distillery sits in the heart of East Northport on Long Island, founded by Mike and Kim Zarcone who turned their passion for craft spirits into Suffolk County’s first legal distillery since Prohibition. The husband-and-wife team opened their doors in 2014 after navigating years of red tape to bring small-batch distilling back to Nassau County. Mike, a former construction worker, and Kim, who handled the business side, converted a modest industrial space into their copper-still operation where they focus on vodka, gin, and seasonal spirits. The 2,000-square-foot facility houses their custom-built copper still and tasting room where the Zarcones personally greet visitors and share their journey from home distillers to licensed craft producers. What started as weekend experiments with flavors and techniques has grown into a neighborhood gathering spot that proves Long Island can produce spirits as distinctive as its wines. The Zarcones didn’t just want to make spirits—they wanted to create a community hub where locals could see traditional distilling methods up close and taste products made literally where they stand.

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

WHAT SETS THEM APART

Twisted Cow holds the distinction of being Suffolk County’s first legal distillery since Prohibition ended, making it a genuine piece of Long Island’s craft spirits renaissance. The Zarcones operate one of the smallest commercial distilleries in New York, with a 150-gallon copper still that allows them to experiment with unique flavor profiles and seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. Their approach focuses heavily on vodka production using Long Island-grown potatoes and grains, connecting their spirits directly to the region’s agricultural heritage. The intimate scale means Mike and Kim are usually on-site personally running tastings and explaining their grain-to-glass process, giving visitors direct access to the founders rather than hired tour guides.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

You’ll walk into a compact tasting room where Mike or Kim Zarcone will likely greet you personally and guide you through their small-batch spirits lineup. The space feels more like visiting friends’ garage workshop than a polished tourist destination—you can see the copper still just steps away and smell the mash fermenting during production days. Tastings happen at a simple bar setup where the Zarcones explain their distilling philosophy and let you sample their vodkas, gins, and seasonal offerings while sharing stories about the challenges of starting Long Island’s first post-Prohibition distillery. The experience is conversational and educational, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions about their grain-to-glass process and see the actual equipment used to make what you’re tasting.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

If you’re interested in seeing craft distilling at its most intimate scale and meeting the actual founders, Twisted Cow delivers an authentic experience you won’t find at larger operations. This appeals most to spirits enthusiasts who appreciate small-batch production and want to support genuine local entrepreneurs rather than tourists seeking polished visitor centers or elaborate tours. You’ll learn about the real challenges of starting a distillery and taste products made in quantities small enough that the distillers know every batch personally. Don’t expect fancy facilities or professional tour guides—the appeal here is the genuine connection to passionate craft distillers who are building something from scratch in their own community.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Call ahead since the Zarcones often run the operation themselves and hours can vary based on production schedules. The distillery is in an industrial area that GPS sometimes has trouble finding, so look for the small sign on Hewitt Square rather than relying solely on your phone’s directions. Visit on weekends when they’re most likely to be open for tastings, and don’t be surprised if Mike or Kim personally serves your tasting flight. Ask about their seasonal releases and local ingredient sourcing—they’re passionate about their Long Island connections and love sharing details about their suppliers. Parking is usually available right outside, but the space is small so larger groups should definitely call ahead.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Twisted Cow Distillery — Visitor FAQ

Do I need to make a reservation for tastings?

Yes, it’s best to call ahead since Mike and Kim often run the operation themselves and hours can vary based on production schedules. The space is small so they prefer to know when visitors are coming.

What makes this Long Island’s first distillery since Prohibition?

The Zarcones navigated years of legal challenges to become Suffolk County’s first licensed distillery since Prohibition ended. They had to work through zoning issues and state regulations that hadn’t been used for decades to make craft distilling legal again in their area.

Can I see the actual distilling equipment during my visit?

Absolutely. The 150-gallon copper still is visible from the tasting room, and Mike and Kim enjoy showing visitors their equipment and explaining how they make their spirits right on-site. It’s all happening in a compact 2,000-square-foot space so everything is accessible.

GETTING THERE

Find Twisted Cow Distillery

📍13 Hewitt Square, East Northport, NY 11731, USA

—

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 New York