James E. Pepper Distillery — Local services in Lexington

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 A Journey Through Time at James E. Pepper Distillery

Stepping into the James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky, felt like walking through a living chapter of bourbon history. Established in 1880 by Colonel James E. Pepper, a third-generation distiller and passionate advocate for whiskey innovation, this distillery was once the largest and most technologically advanced in the United States.

After being dormant for over 50 years, the distillery has been meticulously restored, with distilling resuming in 2017. The commitment to authenticity is evident, from the use of the original limestone well to the revival of historic recipes.

The tour was both informative and intimate, offering insights into the distillation process and the storied past of the Pepper brand. Tasting their signature 1776 Bourbon and Rye was a highlight—each sip a testament to their dedication to quality and tradition.

Beyond the distillery, the surrounding Distillery District is a vibrant hub of activity. I enjoyed a slice at Goodfellas Pizzeria, known for its New York–style pizza and craft cocktails. A visit to Crank & Boom provided a sweet treat with their artisanal ice creams. For those interested in craft beer, Ethereal Brewing offers a diverse selection in a cozy setting.

The James E. Pepper Distillery is more than just a place to taste exceptional bourbon; it's a destination that celebrates the rich tapestry of Kentucky's bourbon heritage. Highly recommended for history buffs, whiskey enthusiasts, and anyone looking to experience the soul...

I was very upset that I had to pre-pay for a group of 14 ahead of time. Then the day of our tour, four people from our group got stuck in Indianapolis due to severe storms and their flights into Lexington were delayed until the evening. I explained this to the people at the front desk and even said if they could give me store credit I would spend it on a bottle or two. They said they talked to the manager...which felt like a complete lie.... and said there is nothing they can do. That was $88 that I lost on a complete act of mother nature. My entire group was pretty upset that I did not get a refund for the four that could not make it. I am in sales and this was not a good experience nor would it motivate me to recommend to friends and family. I think the people at Pepper's need to understand that people are traveling from all over the country and things may happen...it felt like a cheap cash grab. Even giving me a cheap bottle of bourbon as an attempt to provide good customer service would have made me feel better...it was/is just the right thing to do. I would have refunded in a heartbeat. I hope the $88 was worth it. Once we were told there was nothing they could do to provide a refund or credit, the 9 of us simply left after the tour. No need to give more money to a company that does not appreciate their customers or unique situations. Come on Peppers...you are better than this... If you were a stand up company you would find my reservation and credit me back my $88. Ryan group visited on the 3:30 tour on...

First of all for those who are reading the reviews of this place, most of the reviews posted by others are for the other businesses in the distillery district like Ethereal Brewing or Goodfellas.

This review is for the actual distillery: James E. Pepper Distillery. Opening day to the public was 7/12/18.

Most of the product by this company is made offsite. The facility here is designed to produce bourbon but it is not clear which product they make or in what quantities. The operation is small compared to the average distiller. The grounds are nice enough but it is clear more finishing work needs to be done to make this location truly appealing like the other businesses are in this area.

The tour is standard fare for the most part. There are some key highlights though. The still and doubler room is the highlight. From here, you get the chance to taste the high wine directly from the still itself. Next is a tasting directly from the barrel. Since it was the first day, we got to sign the barrel. I don't know if that tradition will continue past day 1 or not. The tour concludes with a tasting of their base bourbon and rye.

I am not the biggest rye fan in the world but I personally felt their rye was better than the bourbon.

Be sure to couple your visit here with a visit to Ethereal Brewing, Goodfellas or Barrel...