Jeptha Creed Bruce’s Blue Bourbon Review

By Randall H. Borkus

Rating: B-

Jeptha Creed Distillery is a women-owned craft distillery located outside Shelbyville, Kentucky, led by mother-daughter team of Joyce and Autumn Nethery. I have generally enjoyed the bourbon crafted at Jeptha Creed Distillery. I met Master Distiller Joyce Nethery and her daughter Autumn, Director of Operations, a few years back in Chicago area, when we hosted them at a Chicago Whiskey Society event. Their signature has been the use of Bloody Butcher red corn as a major component to make their bourbon, but this new expression is crafted using blue corn.

In April 2026 the distillery released its Bruce’s Blue Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This release launches their proprietary heirloom blue corn varietal which the family developed for distillation on the Nethery farm.

This bourbon whiskey is a true “Farm to Glass” expression, Bruce’s Blue corn is the result of years of agricultural development led by Bruce Nethery. By cultivating their own unique grains, Jeptha Creed distillery continues to lead the industry in heirloom corn research and flavor innovation, honoring both Shelbyville’s rich farming and distilling roots.

“At Jeptha Creed, we’ve always believed that great bourbon begins on the farm,” said Joyce Nethery, Master Distiller and CEO. “Bruce’s Blue is a meaningful release for our family because it reflects both our spirit of innovation and our commitment to heirloom grains. This bourbon represents an exciting future, driven by the unique, unmatched flavors that only our proprietary grains can deliver.”

Bruce’s Blue Kentucky Straight Bourbon is bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) with no age statement. The mash bill is 75% Bruce’s Blue corn, 20% malted rye, and 5% malted barley.

The Bourbon
The bourbon is a dark rusty amber in my glass. The nose is loaded with vanilla, banana chips, baking spices and oak resin. The front and mind palate opens with more vanilla, sweet corn sugars, citrus peel zest, cherry cola and an oak dusted pecan. The mouthfeel is full bodied and complex leading to mature finish. The finish is medium long with a dry oak essence, more orange peel and a hint of sweet piney, almost menthol-like zest.

The Price
A 750ml bottle is $59.99 available at the Jeptha Creed Distillery Visitor Center and select Kentucky retailers.