Jeptha Creed is a Tennesee-born distillery and brand that is the first of its kind in Shelby County since Prohibition. You won’t find any Tennesee Whiskey here, though. Instead, you’ll find a lineup of bourbons, neutral grain spirits, and moonshine made with corn expertly grown and harvested on the premises. It’s all part of Jeptha Creed’s “ground to glass” philosophy, an inspired approach that captures expressions specific to their location. These two bourbons are a triumphant testament to this.

Straight Four Grain Bourbon

Any four-grain bourbon instantly intrigues me. The depth provided by a wheated mash bill is a simple addition that goes a long way. This expression, comprised of 70% of the distillery’s special Bloody Butcher corn, 15% malted rye, 10% malted wheat, and 5% malted barley, and comes in at 49% ABV. The trinity of malts carries through intensely on the nose, indicating a rich, full-bodied bourbon with much to offer. Aromas of dark fruit, vanilla, and brown sugar are accompanied by floral notes that keep this robust whiskey bright and fresh. The palate is where all four grains combine for a lush and complex harmony.

The unique corn character plays well with the wheat’s nuttiness, and the spicy rye and warm barley are tied together with the malt. This bourbon’s bounty includes fresh, juicy cherries, citrus zest, buttery pastry, toasted walnuts, and cracked black pepper. The higher-than-average proof perfectly balances its subtleties, preventing the flavors and textures from overpowering and excessively diluting the parts. This whiskey impeccably straddles the line between power and nuance. At just around $50 USD, the bourbon’s layers and complexity make it a budget-friendly, next-level pour.

Red, White, & Blue Straight Bourbon

This Jeptha Creed bourbon is also named for its mash bill. The 75% corn content is broken down into a third each of Bloody Butcher (Red) Corn, Heirloom White Corn, and Bruce’s Blue Corn. Malted rye and barley comprise the remaining 20% and 5%, respectively. These corn varieties make for a distinctly sweet, exceptionally festive, patriotic character.

The nose is thinner than the Four Grain due to its lack of malted components and a bump to 100-proof. The bright amber appearance holds more vanilla aromas, with buttery pastry notes replaced with aromas of freshly baked bread and a subtle note of cinnamon. It has a more traditional bourbon profile on the palate, albeit somewhat sharper. The 50% ABV encourages baking spice notes behind warm caramel, toffee, and sweet oak, and the finish is short and crisp. While it doesn’t carry the same depth as the Four Grain, it remains as individualistic a bourbon as any thanks to its eccentric makeup.

Final Thoughts

Of the two, my preference lies with the Four Grain expression. I often lean towards wheated bourbons from the jump, and this bourbon exceeded my expectations. It’s full-bodied, complex, and well-rounded, resulting in an elevated bourbon at a budget price point. The Red, White, & Blue bottling is no slouch, though, providing a totally unique character thanks to its distinctive blend of equally special corns.