A decade after opening its Shelby County farm gates, Jeptha Creed Distillery is marking the milestone with its most ambitious release yet: a Solera Aged Bourbon that draws on every heirloom corn varietal the distillery has cultivated since 2016. The 750ml bottling carries an MSRP of $79.99 and represents a direct expression of the distillery's farm-to-glass philosophy.

The Grain Roster

Since its founding, Jeptha Creed has grown and distilled nine distinct non-GMO heirloom corn varietals on its 64-acre Shelbyville property: Bloody Butcher, Bruce's Blue, Blue Clarage, Hopi Blue, Hickory King, Jimmy Red, Oaxacan Green, Pink Heirloom, and White Cob White. Each varietal has been released separately over the years, giving the mother-daughter ownership team — Joyce and Autumn Nethery — a granular understanding of how individual grain genetics translate into flavor. The anniversary bottling is the first time all nine have been combined in a single expression.

The mash bill runs 75% heirloom corn, 20% malted rye, and 5% malted barley, bottled at 100 proof. The solera method — systematically transferring younger bourbon into barrels already holding older spirit — allows the nine varietals to integrate incrementally rather than simply being blended at bottling. For on-premise buyers and spirits-focused retailers, that production distinction is a credible conversation starter at the bar.

Distribution and Timing

The bourbon will make its public debut at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival (September 10–13) before going on sale at the distillery's visitor center and online shop on September 17. Hospitality operators sourcing limited craft releases for curated whiskey programs should note the constrained initial availability; distribution is not listed beyond Kentucky direct-to-consumer channels at launch.

"This Solera Aged Bourbon represents a decade of hard work, dedication and patience," said Joyce Nethery, Master Distiller and CEO. "It's a reflection of where we started, how far we've come and what makes Jeptha Creed who we are today."

The release anchors a broader anniversary event calendar, closing with the Jammin' at Jeptha concert featuring Rodney Atkins on October 10 — an experiential hospitality model that craft distilleries increasingly use to drive destination traffic and direct sales. For beverage directors tracking the grain-forward craft bourbon segment, Jeptha Creed's heirloom varietal approach is part of a wider industry interest in ingredient provenance, a trend explored in depth in our beverage industry analysis. Distillery tourism as a revenue driver is also examined in our restaurant and hospitality coverage.

For context on the competitive landscape, Kentucky's craft spirits sector has expanded sharply over the past decade, and anniversary limited editions have become a proven mechanism for distilleries to command premium shelf placement and media attention simultaneously. At $79.99, the Solera Aged Bourbon positions itself at the accessible end of the premium craft tier — a price point that works for by-the-glass programs at upscale casual and fine-dining accounts without requiring a luxury spirits budget.

Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.