My first impression upon visiting was how vast and impressive this place is. Jeptha Creed stands out from the typical Kentucky distillery in several ways. Upon arrival, you’ll immediately notice the Visitors Center and production areas, which are housed in striking new architecture—no centuries-old buildings here. Additionally, the leadership comprises a mother-daughter team, which is somewhat unusual, and they have developed an impressive line of spirits.
You might be curious about the branding of Jeptha Creed. Unlike many distilleries, Jeptha Creed’s name does not come from a centuries-old family lineage. Instead, it contains two clues about their corporate identity. “Jeptha” refers to Jeptha Knob, the highest point in Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region, located between Lexington and Louisville in eastern Shelby County. This area is also home to their 1,500-acre farm, where a significant portion of their Bloody Butcher corn is grown.
The second part of the name reflects their family creed: they are “a family who believes in creating more than just great spirits, but also great food and a great time.”
Jeptha Creed has transformed its Shelbyville location into a significant entertainment venue. Visitors can deepen their knowledge of bourbon through a distillery tour, a mixology class, or a spirit tasting. The tasting is complimentary and features a diverse selection of their spirits. They also host many quality music events throughout the year.
While there, take a moment to learn more about the team behind the spirits. Joyce Nethery is the CEO and Master Distiller and holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Louisville. Interestingly, she took a unique career path by becoming a high school teacher in chemistry and physics. Her daughter, Autumn Nethery, is a co-owner and Vice President of Operations. Her university studies in Edinburgh, Scotland, reignited her passion for distilled spirits. Autumn is one of the youngest distillery owners in the country, and together Joyce and Autumn embody the dynamic duo moniker.
Additionally, the property features a small restaurant—Creed Cafe—offering small bites and a variety of traditional pizzas. Although we didn’t eat during our visits, the food looked great, and the people we met confirmed its quality. Many Tripadvisor reviews also praised the Cafe and its staff.
The distillery is situated on a 64-acre working farm adjacent to Interstate 64 in Shelbyville. This farm produces corn, grain, and fruits used in their spirit production. In addition to grains, the crops include apples, pears, cherries, apricots, kiwi, figs, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.
They are closed Monday through Wednesday, and open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Mark Meade is the author of The Bourbon Journey, a travel guide that highlights our iconic bourbon distilleries and the experience of bourbon tourism. This column serves as a natural extension of the book. All rights reserved. For questions or comments, contact the author at [email protected].
