Jeptha Creed Distillery

The Nethery family's Jeptha Creed Distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky, represents something increasingly rare in modern whiskey: complete control from seed to sip. This woman-owned operation, led by mother-daughter duo Joyce and Autumn Nethery, grows their own grain, distills their own whiskey, and bottles under their own label across 2,000 acres of Kentucky farmland.

History & Heritage

Master Distiller Joyce Nethery and her daughter Autumn built Jeptha Creed as a family enterprise in Shelby County, rooted in traditional methods passed down through generations. The Netherys rejected the industry trend toward sourcing and shortcuts, instead choosing the harder path of controlling every element of production. Their "family sweat" philosophy means the Netherys remain hands-on in all operations, from farming to fermentation.

The Whiskey

The distillery's "Ground to Glass" approach centers on their cultivation of non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom Bloody Butcher corn, which imparts a distinctive earthy character absent from mass-produced bourbons. Their Reserve Whiskey Library includes Four Grain Bourbon, Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, 6 Year Old Wheated Bourbon, and Red, White & Blue Bourbon. Each expression reflects their commitment to traditional grain bills and time-tested distillation methods overseen by Joyce Nethery.

Why It Matters

Jeptha Creed proves that small-scale, family-controlled production can compete with industry giants while maintaining authenticity. Their use of heirloom corn varieties and farm-to-bottle philosophy creates expressions that taste distinctly different from standard bourbon profiles. For those who appreciate good whiskey, Jeptha Creed offers a glimpse into what American whiskey was before industrialization, made by people who own every step of the process.