James E. Pepper Distillery

On the Grid : Pepper Distillery District

"The former home of the eponymous James E. Pepper Distillery was built in 1879 along the Town Branch creek in downtown Lexington. There’s more than bourbon history happening here though: The warehouse complex offers visitors artisan ice cream spot Crank & Boom, back-to-basics bars The Break Room at Pepper, Ethereal Brewing, Middle Fork Kitchen & Bar, and local spirits crafters Barrel House Distilling." - Bullhorn

"Pepper Distillery District, Lexington Ky by Bullhorn. The former home of the eponymous James E. Pepper Distillery was built in 1879 along the Town Branch creek in downtown Lexington. There’s more than bourbon history happening here though: The warehouse complex offers visitors artisan ice cream spot Crank & Boom, back-to-basics bars The Break Room at Pepper, Ethereal Brewing, Middle Fork Kitchen & Bar, and local spirits crafters Barrel House Distilling."

A Guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Amanda Patton

Google

This tour was very history rich! The guide was very knowledgeable and walked us through the whole history and process. We enjoyed the tour, and the tasting very much, as well as the bar tenders lively personalities. They were great at recommending local buisnesses for us to visit for lunch.

Natalie Merron

Google

We absolutely loved this stop on our bourbon trail tour! This is our 3rd time on the bourbon trail, so to go on a tour and learn something new was pretty impressive! Excellent tour and such a cool location! Our guide Dylan kept noting that he was new, but he knows his stuff and was incredibly entertaining! He had us laughing, learning and tasting some really great spirits. I really loved their single barrel bourbon! If you're going to Lexington I'd highly suggest planning a half a day with this as one of your stops. It's located in a whole distillery district with quite a few places to eat, a couple distilleries, and even the best rated Ice cream shop in Lexington.

Evan Julian

Google

Mimi was a delightful tour guide. We had a good time on the tour and tasting. The area was great as well as the distillery. Happy that I got to help drive the tour as well when taking about mash bill, and rules around bourbons’ laws.

Stephanie Cotter

Google

This is a craft distillery in what is known as the Lexington Distillery District. We needed to reschedule our tour due to an issue with my flight and the staff were very accommodating. The tour was informative and focused on the history of the Pepper distillery which was appreciated. Our tour guide Slaid did an excellent job. In the tasting we thieved from a single barrel, then enjoyed their bourbon, a bottled in bond, and a rye. The tour was $20 and we got to keep the shot glass. We ended up purchasing the decanter bottle for $5 more than our home state of Ohio just as a nod to the distillery for a pleasant experience. The distillery has several restaurants surrounding it. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon!

Chapel in the Hollow

Google

Our friends and I took my husband here for his 43rd birthday. We were running a few minutes behind, but thankfully so was the tour in front of us. The story behind the distillery was very interesting, especially his wife. Our guide, B, was fantastic. She was very knowledgeable and personable. I’m not a huge fan of bourbon, but the flavors were interesting, and it was cool to see her pull some straight from a cask for us to try. The column still was really interesting. The bourbon bon bon was delicious. We really enjoyed the merch available. My husband really enjoyed the old fashioned there made with rye whiskey and lemon.

Brent Potter

Google

One of our favorite spots in Kentucky! Home of the pre-prohibition old fashioned. The tastings were amazing and we came home with a few hard to find bottles. Can’t wait to stop by again.

John-David Rocha

Google

The J. E. Pepper Distillery has a solid history for the Lexington region and deserves a stop by most tourists to the area. The price for the tour and tasting was perfect - only $20 - that includes a generously thorough tour of their entire spirits making process and finishes with several great tastes of their products. Loved the history of the distillery and its place in the area. Strongly recommended!!!

Martha Schott

Google

We wanted a short little outing from Cincinnati area to spend some time with our youngest son, who turned 25 this year and is getting married in less than a month. What better than some bourbon-bonding between father and son. I go to distilleries, NOT for the bourbon, but for the history, the story of the process, the bottles and the labels...and because the men in my family enjoy bourbon. James E. Pepper is a "slimmed down version" of its original presence in the area. The entire area surrounding the parking lot was once the distillery. You'll learn the specifics during the tour, which I highly recommend. Alyssa was tour guide; she is full of information. It's a comfortable walk, indoors and out, with some steps. But, you do get up close to the distilling process. And, can linger a few minutes to watch the bottles being filled; then hand labeled, sealed and boxed. Sampling is done along the way, and is completed in the sampling room. The sampling glass is your souvenir from the tour. If you want to hang around after the tour, the guides are at the bar in the lobby answering additional questions and mixing up drinks as desired. There are lots of gift/souvenir options available in the lobby as well. A nice tour to add to a list of others that we are slowly building.

Amanda Patton

Google

Natalie Merron

Google

Evan Julian

Google

Stephanie Cotter

Google

Chapel in the Hollow

Google

Brent Potter

Google

One of our favorite spots in Kentucky! Home of the pre-prohibition old fashioned. The tastings were amazing and we came home with a few hard to find bottles. Can’t wait to stop by again.

John-David Rocha

Google

Martha Schott

Google

Bethany C.

Yelp

Located in the distillery district which is awesome. Conveniently located between great eateries. Lively outdoor seating by a creek. Some indoor seating, though not many tables. Tastings and tours offered. Usual bottled in bond, rye, single barrel. But the star of the show is the decanter series. Highly recommend!

Amanda P.

Yelp

Miranda T.

Yelp

James E Pepper is in the Old Distillery District of Lexington. They offer tours & tastings, bottles for purchase, cocktails or neat glasses. The staff was nice but short in conversations. When asking for suggestions, they ultimately said it was personal choice with not much else. Our group decided on the bottled-in-bond tasting, single barrel bourbon tasting, and decanter bourbon neat. We all shared and our favorite by far was the Decanter Bourbon! There was minimal seating inside but a lot of patio seating outside. Overall, a good smaller distillery pick in a great part of Lexington!

Lori R.

Yelp

This old Distillery has a lot of history. It's very close to downtown. It's a whole complex of restaurants and another distillery as well. We did not do the tour, just walked in the gift shop which is small but nice. Husband tried the Bottled in Bond "flight" and I believe it was $12. For two very tiny pours. One bourbon and one rye. They were both very good though. Which would make the $20 tour here worthwhile since it comes with tastings and a glass. Husband liked the bourbon enough to buy a bottle.

Ian M.

Yelp

Pepper has a long history behind it and it is a great journey I would recommend everyone take. The people are really cool and fun that work here. The juice is good and the location is in the best place to hangout and have fun in Lexington. Stop reading this review - go there and enjoy! Grab a single barrel picked by the distiller - you won't regret it!!

Ashley S.

Yelp

This is a must do if you're in Lexington. This historical site was revitalized and saved about 15 years ago and it's a really cool tour to do. They are a small distillery that produces 5 barrels a day, shares history, and offers old fashions. The tour was about an hour long. It is recommended to book in advance. We booked online the morning of. Veterans get 50% off tickets. Active military can tour for free. The tour includes a tasting. You also get to keep a souvenir shot glass given during the tour. They sell lots of fun things like coffee, bourbon chocolate, their spirits, flasks, glassware, candles and more.

Aubrie H.

Yelp

There are so many places around this location including restaurants, a brewery and another Distillery. The tour walks through the history of the Distillery and the tour guide made it so interesting. We also tasted a sample straight from the barrell and had some additional in the tasting room at the end. There is also a bar in the lobby where you can stop for a tasting or an original old fashioned.

Lindsay B.

Yelp

My favorite thing about this Distillery is the location! This whole district of Lexington was such a vibe! There are multiple restaurants, breweries and distilleries all in this little walking area. Upon our visit to Kentucky, we had to taste the local flavors and this distillery was all we had time for. They have several curated flights to choose from so we chose two. The bartender was forthcoming with information which was great because I knew absolutely nothing about bourbon and rye whiskey. I quickly found out that brown liquor like this is just not my thing. Nothing against the distillery itself, just not my preferred beverage you know? If you like this sort of thing, you'll love James E Pepper. The girls are friendly in there and the space is nice. Maybe take a tour if you have time.

Dawn G.

Yelp

This is a cute and small distillery. During the tour we learned the history but also got to try 4 different liquors. The tour guide was funny and knowledgeable. We arrived a few minutes late but they were very nice about it and got us caught up.

Tracy M.

Yelp

Really nice tour. The whole area has several restaurants and bars. Way more to do than just tour the place. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and personable.

I. J.

Yelp

Excellent customer service. Great tour by Bill. Excellent historian. I believe that the distillery tour price is fair. It is small enough that you can hear the history and you can even ask questions. You end up with a shot glass and with 5 tastes of the liquor. This was super fun.

Raven T.

Yelp

I curated a road trip on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for the fam. We started in Lexington and James E Pepper was our first stop on our multi-day, lets see as many distilleries as we could trip. This distillery is located in a very cute development. It looks like an old industrial complex that's been repurposed. There's plenty of other food, drink, and even dessert options here. We didnt have time for a tour so we opted for flights on the patio (you can get cocktails too). I chose the Bottled-in-bond flight. Living in Maryland I've grown to love rye, so I decided to get a flight with two. It included bottled-in-bond bourbon and rye, and single barrel rye. Our bartender described each selection in detail and highlighted their differences. Everything was delicious, but the bottled-in-bond rye took the cake! Smooth, rich, dynamic and different from the Maryland varieties I've tried. I can't remember the exact price, but I wasn't ready to commit to so much on my first day and first stop. After all was said and done, however, I definitely wish I had stopped back through for it, but that just means I have to get back!

Leigh H.

Yelp

The tour was different than most. The host was knowledgeable. The tour seemed kind of rushed but interesting. The nice gentleman working was kind to answer my questions.

Mike R.

Yelp

We attended the distillery historical tour and had a blast. For the tasting and the time you spend, the price is incredibly low. If you are visiting Lexington for a short trip, I recommend trying this out when you need something to do. Our tour guide was fun and knowledgeable about everything relating to the distillery and it's process. Parking lot gets crazy with all the businesses in the area but it's well worth parking on the far side and walking over.

Alfie B.

Yelp

I'm currently on assignment in Lexington for a few months and trying to make the most of it. One of the journeys I intend to undertake is the Bourbon Trail. A co-worker of mine who is big into bourbon highly recommended the tour at James E. Pepper Distillery. The tour takes about an hour and comes with tastings of 3 different bourbons. Our tour guide was great (I think Kayla?). She's clearly enthusiastic about the distillery and bourbon, and engaging when discussing the history and facts. I was surprised at how close up you get within the distillery (you can literally peer over the fermenting grains) and thought it was interesting that they let you try the high wine. Overall I think this was a great start to the Bourbon Trail and recommend this tour if you're in Lexington.

Donald R.

Yelp

Mimi was a great tour guide! There's not a whole lot to see there, but it's very tastefully presented. The front lobby and tasting room are decorated in a cool reclaimed factory style. We saw and learned about the whole process of bourbon making. We had the unique opportunity of watching an employee empty a barrel. The bourbon and rye are very good. I liked the chocolate provided to go along with the tasting. The historic area the distillery is in is very inviting with lots of food options and indoor and outdoor dining space. I would recommend this distillery and the area it's in. I would also return.

Steve T.

Yelp

The tour was incredibly informative and engaging, thanks to the knowledgeable guide who shared fascinating insights into the whiskey-making process. Now, let's talk about the whiskey itself - it was nothing short of exceptional. Every sip was a journey of rich, nuanced flavors that left a lasting impression. It's evident that the distillery takes great pride in their craft. What truly sets this distillery apart, though, is the level of expertise and passion that radiates from every staff member. Their dedication to their craft and willingness to share their knowledge with visitors is commendable. Whether you're a whiskey enthusiast or just looking for a unique outing,is an absolute must-visit. You won't be disappointed! Make sure to visit all the next door neighbors

Lauren C.

Yelp

James E. Pepper Distillery is a fun distillery with a rich history. We did a tour as a group while in town and really enjoyed it. The Distillery District where this is located is really cool with other local businesses to explore. In addition to the distillery there is a pizza shop (with plenty of outdoor seating), a cider business, a brewery, an ice cream shop, a tavern, a restaurant, and a live music venue. There is a large parking lot in the middle. We found parking easily for a 10:30am weekday tour, but when I returned from picking up my daughter at noon it was almost full. Tours can be booked online to reserve a space. The distillery does get really busy so it's probably best to do this. Adult tours are $20 a person, but they offer a few discounts. For example, veterans are only $10 each. Small children are not allowed so use this as a chance to leave them back with a sitter. The structure that houses the distillery was built of charming historical red brick. You could feel the history when you walk in. The tasting room was large and clean with plenty of seating. In the tasting room they offer whiskey flights, pours, and their twist on old fashioned. They make their old fashioned with lemon. The tour was one of the most thorough and interesting alcohol related tours I've done. The history of this distillery dates back to the 1700's so there was a lot to cover. The guide did a good job of giving us the history in an interesting way. After we covered the history we moved to the back where the liquor is made to cover the production process. To wrap up we were given a few tastes as well as a piece of chocolate. After the tour you can hang out in the tasting room and purchase tastes or bottles of what they offer. I'm so glad that my brother suggested this tour because it was a highlight of our week in Lexington. I'd definitely return on my next trip and definitely leave time to explore the rest of The Distillery District.

Charlie T.

Yelp

This was the only distillery place we had time to go to when in Lexington, and we were happy that we went. The person helping us out, Mimi, was very knowledgeable about the products and helped us pick our tasting flight. She also gave us some good recommendations on where else to explore in the city.

Gail C.

Yelp

Tour was interesting but not as good as Buffalo Trace. Tour guide was over the top and hard to understand. Different guide would probably have made a difference in my opinion

Jim U.

Yelp

3 1/2 Did not do the tour. This place is open later than most so a good place to finish. I enjoyed the Rye, the bourbon not as much. Worth a stop. If you arrive from the west be aware the parking is on the other side of the building. Cool area with other places to visit, including food, and only having to park once is awesome.

Brad H.

Yelp

Fantastic tour by Bettina. What stands part is the history of the company. Fair prices, quality product and quality excellent service and experience

Bob T.

Yelp

The little distillery that can. This was a delightful and informative tour. Pepper is small enough that you can absorb the process and enjoy their beverages. You can see everything from where the grain comes in, to where the booze comes out, and will leave with a much better understanding of how bourbon and rye are made. We went on to another distillery, Buffalo Trace, and that place is too large to appreciate the process and its subtleties.

Bill W.

Yelp

This distillery is located in a refurbished district which houses several other businesses. This is basically a tasting facility only. I sampled a flight of their flagship bourbons and found them to be good with a few of them having a ending spicy bite to them. They sell typical whiskey drinks and I opted in having an "Old Fashion". Overall a good stop while visiting the refurbished business district.

Jeffrey G.

Yelp

Came to the distilery district for a little R&R with the family. This was the first stop. I've had their bourbon before, so I'm familiar with the taste... but wanted to see how they operated. Unfortunately, I didn't get to try anything. We walked in to an empty tasting room and the people working were just talking to themselves and we were not greeted. Went to a table and looked at the menu, they only make 3 types of bourbon, so I wanted to try a flight... waited a min. Still not greeted. So, we walked out. It was a tell tale sign when you're the only people in the room on a Saturday night. If you've ever been to the distilery district, you'd know that it's busy at ever establishment. We probably wont be going back, even if we had the chance. You're better off going elsewhere with better bourbon.

Tommy V.

Yelp

What a great visit! In Kentucky for a few days and a friend recommended this place and the tour. We stopped in before the last tour of the day (3:30pm) and they were able to get us in easily! Had some time beforehand so we walked around and got ice cream nearby. The tour was fantastic! It was a great mix of history of the distillery and the whole process which I appreciated learning about. The tour was nice because it was divided in different rooms where you walked a bit so it wasn't just being talked at in one room sitting down the entire time. It was only $20 for the tour, including the samples and a free tasting glass (a shot glass). Thank you to Slaide for doing a great job! He was very informative, knowledgeable, and a great guide all around.

Joe M.

Yelp

Jessie was great tons of good info and history. Loved it. Make sure u try the old fashioned at the end.

Alan L.

Yelp

Rebirth of a classic Bourbon name. The distillery renovated the namesake abandoned plant and brought it back. Their production approach seems innovative and there should be some interesting releases in a few years. The bar area is comfortable and a great place to have a cocktail.

Brian T.

Yelp

spent almost 200 dollars at your facility, your bottle had a leak I walk outside and the bag breaks and the 70 dollar bottle breaks and you won't help me out .wont come back again!!

Mary T.

Yelp

Pepper was our only distillery tour in Lexington proper and it didn't disappoint. Our the guide, Amanda, was very informative and engaging throughout. I think the most interesting part for me was hearing the history of the Pepper distillery and the mark they made on the classic Old Fashioned. While not really a bourbon fan, I had a great time here and took home a bottle for a friend.

Cathy E.

Yelp

On December 21st, 2017 the distilling recommenced on site at the Historic James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky. This iconic property, a National Historic Landmark, which had been abandoned for over 50 years was reopened and this district has grown and thrived. We were glad to visit and are delighted that this Distillery now is a great spot to visit in our community! From their website: A guided tour that includes the story of the historic Pepper Brand & Distillery, time in the distillery museum, a tour of the working distillery, a tasting of our award-winning whiskeys and a complimentary Glencairn whiskey glass. Tour prices Per Person $20 | Veteran $10; Active Military & Children under the age of 10: Free HOURS: Wed-Sat tours start every hour 10:30am-3:30pm Sunday tours every hour Noon-4pm

Dan B.

Yelp

Seriously the best tour I have ever taken anywhere. Amanda was the most knowledgeable tour guide at any tour I've ever been on.

Ron A.

Yelp

I have to James E Pepepr on multiple occasions.. First time was not to long after they first opened the distillery for tours... last time in the middle of June, in a vain attempt to replenish my bourbon selection with a very fine bourbon... I was sad to learn that they no longer had any of my beloved bourbon available, but I did enjoy tasting multiple bourbons and selecting several to bring home. I was excited to see the area around the distillery has grown since my last visit... There are now numerous shops and restaurants you can visit before or after the distillery tour. But alas the problem with growth is that parking becomes a premium, so I suggest if you see a parking spot take it.. Trying to get closer to the distillery will allow another patron to park and force you to circle around...

Rose F.

Yelp

So glad we stopped here today. In the Distillery district next to Goodfella pizza- we did the first tasting of the day for Sunday -11:30. We did the 1776 Bourbon, 1776 Rye and 4 year SB Rye. Generous pours and great conversation. The facility is beautiful - industrial motif. Tastings start at 10.00. Hubs loved the tastings- I'm not a "neat" bourbon drinker so I should have opted for the Old Fashion because I still need to get through the day . They looked amazing! Would highly recommend and would go back again.

Janice K.

Yelp

We stopped by for a couple flights and to buy some bourbon/rye. There were tours offered but we didn't take one. Good selection of alcohol and other items in the gift shop. Awesome location to visit any time of day or night. Multiple restaurants and bars in walking distance with plenty of parking.

Debbie S.

Yelp

One of the best bourbon tours and really good bourbon. I love that it wasn't so touristy and over crowded.

Stacey P.

Yelp

This was my first visit to this distillery area of town. You'll find a couple of shops, several restaurants, and a copious amount of choices to get your drink on! I adore a good old-fashioned, and the mixologist at the distillery did not disappoint. After a brief explanation of the differences between the bourbons and ryes, I picked my poison. My favorite part was watching him take a healthy-sized portion of lemon zest and use it 3 ways to adorn my drink. First, he twisted it over the glass releasing it's essence. Next, he rubbed it along the inside rim of the glass before finally using it as a garnish. Yeah, one of the best old-fashioned I've ever had, and I'm not easily impressed. Please check out this small-batch distillery and take the tour, then order yourself a little glass of history for sipping.

Dliese J.

Yelp

My husband & I enjoyed this tour because we learned the history of the distillery from Bill, a great storyteller, plus it wasn't too long or complicated. We got to sample "high wine" & single batch rye from the barrell. We learned the distilling process, sampled 2 more products plus a surprise!! Very nice tour.

Holly K.

Yelp

We took a tour yesterday and it was fantastic! Kaylee was so knowledgeable about everything bourbon! We had a great time!

Chris P.

Yelp

Absolutely amazing experience. Our tour guide was absolutely amazing she was totally into it and she made the experience. Great tasting experience I would highly recommend this place.

Tom H.

Yelp

Really enjoyed the tour and tasting. Was a very quick and basic tour but that is exactly what we wanted. Go see them!

Kristin M.

Yelp

Limited options, but you can't choose a bad one! They make a great Manhattan. You can order a flight if you're interested!

John G.

Yelp

Super fun tour with very pleasant tasting at the end. Only Bourbon Trail your I've been on yet where we got a taste straight out of the barrel! Book online to make sure space is available!

Michael K.

Yelp

Bourbon and history...in the heart of Lexington. The curiosity of one man's vision helped to preserve a once historic brand almost lost to ethos of time. The old distillery district on Manchester has been brought back life thanks to the restoration of the old James E. Pepper distillery. It's a boutique small batch distillery with all the feels of the large distillery tour. This is one of the best bourbon tours I've been on. The tour guide was insightful, sharing the history of the Pepper family, the Old Distillery District, and how it laid in disarray for years before reclaiming the area. There were artifacts recovered from original facility displayed as she spoke about the history. We toured the facility, tasted the mash during different stages of fermentation, and sat down to sample all the different varieties of bourbon and rye. We finished the tour off with chocolate and the temptation of the original recipe old fashion. Staff was extremely accommodating. I will be back to visit their bar.

Maureen L.

Yelp

* VISIT & TAKE THE TOUR!!!* Dont go for the box store bourbon tour. This is definitely the one to take & bring home a bottle of the Old Pepper Bourbon. We are so extremely pleased that we chose James E. Pepper Distillery for our tour. We felt that this tour we well worth more than triple the price we paid. No other tour will you get the attention, details, education & tasting opportunities!!! Our guide was beyond fabulous, he was full of information dating back to 1800's & seems to take pride in his career. Thank you Evan for making our trip to Kentucky so memorable. May The Pepper Distillery continue to grow & be successful.

Anil S.

Yelp

It was supposed to work in Kentucky. I book one day prior. Parking spot available. Your master was very professional. His name was slaid. I never seen that kind of tour. I'll be enjoying live fermentation. But he gave us knowledge about to milling to to bottling whole process information. They try to whiskey Bourbon and rye. I would say like he's a very good person. And the tour was very worth knowledgeable. Highly recommend it. Thanks.

Nokeitha W.

Yelp

We were in town for a wedding, and since my husband loves a good bourbon, I decided to book this tour. I'm not a bourbon drinker, but I found the tour to be pretty cool. Sorry, I don't remember the tour guide's name but he had a pretty cool mustache. The history of the distillery was great. To learn all of the challenges that they overcame through the years kept my attention. Overall, I'm glad we did the tour.

Jill G.

Yelp

Always a great time ! Always developing some new batches! Stay tuned! Love the service attentive to all the guests Marjorie is a super special spirit!

Flora Daisy L.

Yelp

Thank you Amanda four the tour , you are sweet, informative, friendly and make that your very enjoyable

@cntraveler

On the Grid : Pepper Distillery District