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 whiskies. During this era, whisky 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 whisky 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 travelled to New York in a private rail car, which was painted with his whisky 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 whisky. Join us on a journey through time that you will never forget! We will indulge in traditional Kentucky cuisine, savour limestone-filtered bourbons and cider, and delve into the rich history of this revitalised piece of Lexington.