James E. Pepper, a third-generation distiller and passionate horseman, constructed the largest and most technologically advanced distillery in the United States in 1879. He boasted that he used his grandfather's pre-Revolutionary War recipes to create Kentucky's finest and oldest whiskeys. During this era, whiskey was sold by the barrel, and regulations were non-existent, making counterfeiting a genuine concern. Pepper wanted to ensure the quality of his family's brand, so he persuaded lawmakers to allow whiskey bottling at distilleries to guarantee quality. He distinguished his bottles by sealing them with a trademark strip stamp that bore his signature. He also frequently traveled to New York in a private rail car, which was painted with his whiskey labels, to provide global exposure to his cherished brands.
Today, the James E. Pepper Distillery District has been transformed into a lively campus filled with music, dining, and, of course, bourbon whiskey. Join us on a journey through time that you will never forget! We will indulge in traditional Kentucky cuisine, savor limestone-filtered bourbons and cider, and delve into the rich history of this revitalized piece of Lexington.
