Dark Arts Whiskey House & Alchemy Lab — Local services in Lexington

TLDR: Go. It’s unique, fun, and the staff rock. If you haven’t had their whiskey you need to go give it a try, not everyone is into the finished whiskey vibe but they have non finished as well! They have a little something for everyone and it’s a must stop for sure. Do the whiskey thief experience - you won’t regret it, more on that below.

I was able to make a stop at Dark Arts on my latest trip to KY. I have heard a lot about them but being in NC, there is no distribution near us so I hadn’t been able to try any of their products.

I booked the whiskey theif event for myself and upon arrival was greeted by staff that were incredibly friendly, and a really cool and unique atmosphere. Once in the room for our event you get handed a menu of all of the barrels available to choose from and are given the tough task of picking four to try.

Once you finish your samples you have the chance to bottle your own if you liked one of your samples enough. If you didn’t find something you were blown away by they give the option to try a few others at the bar before bottling anything.

This was not an issue for me as one of the four I selected was so good that it left me no choice than to bottle it and a backup. About 35 minutes prior I was at Wild Turkey and got to have some of their Russell’s 13, and this - while being very different as it was a 8 year 95/5 rye finished in an Oloroso sherry cask - was possibly the best thing I had that day across many distilleries and tastings. The quality blew me away. It reminded me of an older batch of mid winter nights dram and it absolutely beats the latest releases.

Don’t even get me started on the bottling process either. It’s super cool. This isn’t your typical “bottle your own” experience where you walk up to a spout in the wall that measures your whiskey and then you just pull the lever down like at Michters or Heaven Hill. I’m not discrediting those at all as they are fun and cool and great experiences as well, but this is different. You are handed tools to reach in and collect the whiskey from the barrel by hand and fill your bottle by hand. It gets you as close to the experience of walking into a rickhouse and pulling off a little whiskey for yourself as you can get without being in a rickhouse and also without getting arrested for trespassing! 😂

It was by far the most unique and fun event I’ve done at any distillery or whiskey house.

Dark Arts, you rock, thanks for the really fun time! I can’t wait to crack one of my...

Dark Arts Whiskey House isn’t just a tasting room—it’s a ritual wrapped in velvet and shadow. The space feels like a modern cathedral to whiskey: metallic glow, curated lighting, and a pulse that hums somewhere between science and sorcery.

We chose a custom flight, each pour revealing new layers of character and craft. From maple-kissed rye to rich, toasted oak bourbon, every glass told its own story. Sarah, our host and guide through the experience, set the tone perfectly—knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about the art behind the bottle. (Those in the know will recognize her from IBN—the connection runs deep.)

This is where tradition bends toward innovation; where the bourbon world meets a bit of beautiful anarchy. It’s not just about proof or age—it’s about presence.

If you love whiskey that challenges convention, Dark Arts is a must-stop on your journey. The pours are bold, the vibe immersive, and the experience? Utterly...

Dark Arts Whiskey House is an absolute MUST if you’re a whiskey fan. We booked a Thief from the Barrel Experience and it was awesome. Delaney was a master and helped guide us through the tasting options. I think it’s impossible to leave without thieving your own bottle from the barrel. Be sure to try to the 11.5 year straight bourbons!! And then we visited the bar where we had some more rare and refined spirits. The team there (Macaulay, David, Sara, and more!) are creating something truly special. When I think back on all the different whiskey experiences I have enjoyed over the years, DAWH is easily at the very top. Step into the unknown and enjoy an experience that’s anything...