Jeptha Creed Red, White & Blue Bourbon (Batch 4 - 2025) Review

 

Founded by Joyce and Bruce Nethery in 2013, Jeptha Creed was meant to be handed down to their children, Autumn and Hunter. Joyce serves as the Master Distiller; Autumn is the Marketing Manager. Bruce grows grains, and Hunter is the beekeeper who provides honey for the various spirits produced. The distillery was built on the family cornfield in Shelbyville County, Kentucky.

 

On Veterans’ Day in 2016, the distillery barrelled its first Bourbon, the county's first legal barrel since Prohibition. It released that Bourbon in 2019. And that brings us to the subject of today’s limited-edition, annual release of Red, White & Blue Bourbon. Last year, Jeptha Creed donated a portion of its proceeds from the sale of Red, White & Blue Bourbon to CreatiVets. For Batch 4, they’ve selected Paws of War, which was founded in 2014.

 

"We're excited to unveil the fourth release of our Red, White & Blue Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Our new partnership with Paws of War deepens our commitment to honoring Veterans, a cause close to our hearts, while celebrating the traditions that define our family and our distillery.

Paws of War's mission is to alleviate the suffering of veterans, first responders, and their families, particularly those battling invisible wounds such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), by providing loyal service dogs that serve as both companions and catalysts for healing. The nonprofit also rescues and rehabilitates dogs and cats in need, offering them a second chance at life. Its work extends into war-torn regions, reuniting military personnel with the animals they bonded with during their service." – Joyce Nethery

 

Batch 4 began with 52 curated barrels distilled in 2018, 2019, and 2020 from a mashbill of 25% Bloody Butcher corn, 25% Heirloom white corn, 25% Bruce’s Blue corn, 20% malted rye, and 5% malted barley. The bottle claims an “at least four years” age statement; two of the barrels were from 2018, and 16 were aged since 2019. It can be purchased from the distillery, its online store, or at select retailers across 40 states. Jeptha Creed also provides a store locator.

 

For the record, I very much enjoyed Batch 3. Thanks to Jeptha Creed's kindness, I procured a sample of Batch 4 in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review. Let’s #DrinkCurious and learn more.

 

• Whiskey Type: Straight Bourbon
• Distiller: Jeptha Creed
• Age: 4 years
• Mashbill: 25% Bloody Butcher corn, 25% Heirloom white corn, 25% Bruce’s blue corn, 20% malted rye, 5% malted barley
• Cooperage: New, 53-gallon charred oak barrels
• Alcohol Content: 50% ABV (100°)
• Price per 750mL: $74.99

 

Appearance: Red, White & Blue Bourbon possessed a rusty appearance. A medium rim produced thicker tears, randomly spaced.

 

Nose: I allowed the Bourbon to rest about 15 minutes before exploring the aroma. It was mostly sweet, with notes of caramel, raspberries, cherries, and plums, along with nutmeg and mild oak. When I brought the vapor into my mouth, I encountered a blast of flan.

 

Palate: Batch 4 had a soft, delicate texture. There was a palate shock of toffee and overripe bananas. With the second sip, flavors were easier to identify. The front of my palate found rich caramel, toffee, and leather. Midway through, I tasted roasted almonds, hazelnuts, and fried plantains. I discovered soft oak, clove, and powdered cinnamon on the back.  

 

Finish: There were fried plantains, but buried beneath those were hazelnuts, roasted almonds, leather, nutmeg, and powdered cinnamon. It was mainly muted (short of the plantains) sans the nutmeg, which unsuccessfully attempted to outshine the plantains. The duration ran 1:13, making it a medium one.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Between my eyebrow being raised, my head tilted, and my jaw somewhat slack, I found Red, White, and Blue Bourbon Batch 4 to be intriguing and confusing. While the nose seemed very sweet, the palate was an unusual combination of sweet, nutty, savory, spicy, and whatever category you’d throw fried plantains in, which was one of the most dominating flavors of the sipping experience. Each time I swallowed, this whiskey grabbed both of my ears and stared into my eyes, demanding my full and undivided attention. I might even describe it as a bit intimidating, and that’s not supposed to happen to someone with an experienced palate.

 

Yet, I don’t mean to describe this year’s Bourbon negatively, because that’s not the case. It is merely unlike any I’ve run across before. I can see some, like me, being completely mesmerized by what was occurring while I was sipping. It is, in my opinion, a conversation piece more than anything else.

 

Despite my being a bit flabbergasted, I enjoyed this Bourbon. I love challenging pours. Kudos to Joyce and her team for coming up with something so different and tasty. It earns my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

 

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.