Kentucky’s James E. Pepper Distillery now an entertainment hub

LEXINGTON, KY —  Though identified extra, maybe, for basketball and horses, Kentucky’s second-largest metropolis additionally has a wealthy historical past of bourbon. And one in every of Lexington’s latest leisure locations was as soon as one of the vital well-known and productive distilleries in the complete Bluegrass State.

The 25-acre Distillery District, because it’s referred to as at present, is situated a bit greater than a mile exterior downtown Lexington on the as soon as and present website of the James E. Pepper Distillery a couple of three-hour drive from Columbus. The distillery had been deserted for 50 years earlier than the model was resurrected, albeit in a extra modest kind.

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The present iteration of James E. Pepper takes up simply a part of the footprint of the outdated distillery, the biggest within the nation after its development in 1879. Occupying the stability of the outdated distillery and its auxiliary buildings are plenty of different companies that make the Distillery District a spot the place a customer can simply pack a complete day stuffed with meals, libations, leisure and extra. Renovation of the district started in 2008, however the brand new Pepper distillery solely started manufacturing in late 2017.

A lesson in bourbon, extra

Guests who take the distillery tour will hear the fascinating story of James E. Pepper, who went bust within the bourbon enterprise twice, as soon as earlier than constructing his grand Lexington distillery and as soon as after. The second time, he was bailed out by his equally fascinating spouse, Ella, who made a fortune breeding and racing thoroughbred horses.

A promoter and flamboyant showman, James Pepper was additionally answerable for pushing reforms that helped enhance and assure the standard of retail whiskey all through the business. He’s additionally credited with introducing the Previous Original cocktail to the world — not a nasty method to be remembered.

Pepper died in an accident in 1906, and the unique distillery burned in 1933. The distillery was rebuilt the next 12 months, however ceased manufacturing in 1967.

The location and model had been deserted for half a century, solely to be reclaimed by entrepreneur Amir Peay, a former bartender who received hooked on the historical past of Pepper whiskey after which acquired first the model, and later the outdated distillery itself.

Excursions additionally embrace a tasting of the distillery’s merchandise, together with Previous Pepper Rye and Bourbon.

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Distillery District additionally provides eating

City Department Creek, which, after years of neglect, has additionally been cleaned up, runs instantly behind the Distillery District and gives a pleasant backdrop for al fresco eating or ingesting at a number of district locations, together with Goodfellas Pizzeria, which additionally occupies a part of the previous distillery.

In case your style runs extra towards ice cream than bourbon — or if, like me, you’re deeply invested in each — you completely can not miss Crank & Growth Ice Cream Lounge, which grew from the actually good ice cream produced at a Lexington Thai restaurant.

Craft beer and cider followers can even discover loads to interact their palates. Ethereal Brewing, which can also be situated in a part of the outdated distillery constructing, options conventional craft beers similar to IPAs and witbiers and a few fascinating experimental suds as nicely, and has a fairly patio alongside the creek.

Fusion Brewing and Clever Fowl Cider Co. are every situated in a former rickhouse the place bourbon was as soon as saved for growing older. Additionally within the outdated rickhouse is the Rickhouse Pub, connoisseur espresso store Brevede Espresso Co. and Relic, a cool retailer that includes classic, rustic and reclaimed googaws. 

One other tavern, The Break Room, is situated, after all, in a constructing as soon as used because the distillery’s break room, additionally now with creek-side seating.

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Leisure venue close by

Throughout Previous Frankfort Pike from the distillery correct is The Burl, an indoor/outside leisure venue in and round a former practice depot in-built 1926. The Burl books all kinds of acts — on my most up-to-date go to I noticed a efficiency by legendary East LA rock and roots band Los Lobos.

Subsequent door is the Burl Arcade, with pinball and reversion Nineteen Eighties arcade video games and a full-service bar of its personal.

However wait — The Distillery District has much more bourbon! (In Kentucky, there’s at all times extra bourbon.)

Barrel Home Distilling is situated, as you would possibly guess, within the Pepper distillery’s former barrel home. The craft distiller shares the barrel home with Elkhorn Tavern, which provides craft cocktails that includes Barrel Home spirits in addition to good native tavern fare similar to burgoo, a basic Kentucky-style stew made with beef, rabbit and elk.

What, you didn’t suppose a very good Kentucky burgoo would depart out the elk, did you?

Steve Stephens is a contract journey author and photographer. E mail him at sjstephensjr@gmail.com.