CRAFT DISTILLERY

Jeptha Creed Distillery

Shelbyville,
Kentucky
— Bourbon, Rye, Moonshine, Vodka

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

DISTILLERY SNAPSHOT

🌾
Estate Grains
Corn, wheat, rye grown on-site
👩‍👧
Family Legacy
Mother-daughter distillery team since 2016
🚜
Working Farm
Four generations farming this exact land
🥃
Four Grain
Softer bourbon from estate-grown blend
🌽
Bloody Butcher
Heirloom red corn adds unique sweetness
🏭
Custom Built
15,000-square-foot grain-to-glass facility
📞 (502) 487-5007
🌐 http://jepthacreed.com/
📍 500 Gordon Ln, Shelbyville, KY 40065, USA

ABOUT THIS DISTILLERY

A Working Farm That Makes Its Own Whiskey

Jeptha Creed Distillery sits on a working farm in Shelbyville, Kentucky, where the Nethery family has been growing crops since the 1920s. Joyce and Autumn Nethery founded the distillery in 2016, transforming their four-generation farming operation into a grain-to-glass whiskey producer. The name honors Jeptha Creed Nethery, Joyce’s ancestor who settled the land in the 1800s. What started as a way to add value to their corn, wheat, and rye crops has evolved into a 15,000-square-foot facility that produces bourbon, rye, moonshine, and vodka using grains grown right on their 64-acre property. The Netherys didn’t just decide to make whiskey on a whim—they spent years researching, visiting other distilleries, and learning the craft before breaking ground on their own operation. Joyce handles the business side while Autumn manages distillation, making them one of the few mother-daughter teams in Kentucky distilling. Their master distiller Collin McConaughy brings years of experience to the operation, overseeing production on their custom-built still system. The distillery officially opened its doors to visitors in 2018, offering tours that showcase the entire process from field to bottle. You’re not just visiting a distillery here—you’re seeing an active farm where the story literally starts in the soil.

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WHAT SETS THEM APART

Grain to Glass From The Same Soil

Most distilleries talk about farm-to-bottle, but Jeptha Creed actually walks the walk. They grow their own corn, wheat, and rye on the same property where they distill, giving them complete control over their grain quality and flavor profile. The Nethery family has been farming this exact land since the 1920s, so they know every acre intimately. Their approach is genuinely different—instead of buying grain from commodity markets, they’re selecting specific varieties and harvest times to optimize flavor rather than just yield. The mother-daughter ownership team is rare in Kentucky’s male-dominated distilling scene, and their perspective brings a different energy to the operation. They also focus heavily on sustainability, using their own grain and implementing environmentally conscious practices throughout production. The farm setting means you might see cattle grazing while you’re touring the rickhouses, which adds an authenticity that urban distilleries can’t match.

TOURS AVAILABLE

TASTINGS

FOOD AVAILABLE

COCKTAILS

RESERVATIONS

FAMILY FRIENDLY

BOTTLE SALES

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Mother-Daughter Craft Not Tourist Trail

Tours start in the visitor center where you’ll learn about the farm’s history before heading out to see the grain fields and storage silos. The production tour takes you through their milling operation, fermentation room, and distillation area where Collin explains how they adjust recipes based on each grain harvest. The rickhouses smell like vanilla and oak, and you can see how the Kentucky climate affects aging through the char levels on different barrel positions. Tastings happen in their rustic tasting room, where you’ll sample their bourbon, rye, moonshine, and vodka while learning about the flavor differences that come from using their estate-grown grains. The staff genuinely knows the products inside and out since they’re involved in every step from planting to bottling. The whole experience feels more intimate than the bigger distilleries—you’re not just one face in a crowd of tourists.

IS IT WORTH VISITING

Real Farm Stories Worth the Drive

If you appreciate the agricultural side of whiskey making, Jeptha Creed offers something most Kentucky distilleries can’t match. The farm setting and family operation create a more personal experience than you’ll get at the corporate distilleries along the main bourbon trail. Their spirits showcase what’s possible when you control the entire process, and the flavor profiles reflect that attention to detail. This isn’t the place for bourbon history buffs looking for legendary brands or massive rickhouse operations. Instead, it’s perfect for people who want to understand modern craft distilling and see innovation in action. The mother-daughter story adds personality, and their commitment to sustainability resonates with visitors who care about environmental impact. You’ll leave with a better understanding of how grain selection affects flavor and why terroir matters in whiskey production.

⚠️ VISITING TIPS

Book tours online at least a week ahead, especially during busy seasons when bourbon tourism peaks. The distillery is about 30 minutes east of Louisville, and GPS will get you there without issues, but watch for the farm entrance which can be easy to miss. Saturday tours tend to fill up fastest, so weekday visits often offer more personalized attention from the staff. Ask specifically about their grain varieties during the tour—Collin loves talking about how different corn types affect flavor profiles. If you’re visiting during harvest season (late summer/early fall), you might catch them actually bringing in grain from the fields. The gift shop has bottles you can’t find elsewhere, including some limited releases that sell out quickly. Don’t expect elaborate cocktails or fancy food—this is a working farm distillery focused on the spirits themselves.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Jeptha Creed Distillery — Visitor FAQ

Do you really grow all your own grain on the property?
Yes, they grow corn, wheat, and rye on their 64-acre farm that’s been in the family since the 1920s. You’ll see the grain fields during the tour and learn how they select specific varieties for flavor rather than just yield. This gives them complete control over their grain quality from soil to bottle.
How far ahead do I need to book a tour?
At least a week in advance, especially for weekend tours which fill up quickly. You can book online through their website. Weekday tours often have more availability and offer more personalized attention from the staff.
What makes their bourbon different from other Kentucky distilleries?
Their bourbon uses four different grains all grown on their farm, including heirloom Bloody Butcher corn that adds unique sweetness and color. Since they control the entire process from planting to bottling, they can optimize for flavor rather than commodity grain standards. The result is a softer, more complex profile than typical high-rye bourbons.

GETTING THERE

Find Jeptha Creed Distillery

📍500 Gordon Ln, Shelbyville, KY 40065, USA

 — 

📞 (502) 487-5007

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