Out in Shelbyville, Kentucky, where rolling fields stretch under wide skies, a small distillery keeps turning corn into something that warms more than just the chest. Jeptha Creed, run by Joyce Nethery and her daughter Autumn, just rolled out the fourth batch of their Red, White & Blue Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This yearly release hits shelves on November 8, right ahead of Veterans Day, and every bottle carries a promise: part of the money goes straight to Paws of War, a group that pairs service dogs with veterans carrying heavy loads home from the fight.
Four years back, the Netherys opened their doors on Veterans Day 2016. They decided then that each anniversary would mean a special bourbon—one that salutes the men and women who served. This latest edition keeps that tradition alive. Joyce, who wears the hats of master distiller and CEO, put it plain: “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.”
Pour a glass and the color catches the light—brilliant orange-brown amber, the shade of a harvest moon. Lean in and the nose pulls you with red berry fruits, bread pudding fresh from the oven, nutmeg, and clove. Take a sip and the mouthfeel lands rich and buttery, opening up caramel, toasted nuts, dried fruit, toffee, and a whisper of cinnamon. The finish hangs around, full and warm, leaving dried fruit, sweet oak, and baking spices that linger like a good memory.
The suggested price sits at $74.99. Folks can grab it at the distillery gift shop, through the online store, or in stores across forty states. A quick check on the website shows where the nearest bottle waits.
On release day, the distillery throws open its doors for a Veterans Day tribute. A color guard kicks things off, guest speakers share stories, bottles get signed, and light appetizers keep everyone fed. Anyone within driving distance can find details on the event page.
The place itself covers sixty-four acres of Kentucky dirt. The Netherys grow their own Bloody Butcher corn right there, an heirloom variety that gives every spirit its backbone. They make vodka, moonshine, and bourbon the old way, but with an eye on what drinkers want today. Local ingredients, careful hands, no shortcuts.
Animals fit into the picture too. During construction, workers found four stray cats on the grounds. Instead of shooing them off, the family took them in. Now those cats patrol the barrel rooms at night, earning their keep and plenty of scratches from visitors. Their pictures pop up all over social media, proof that a distillery can feel like home.
Paws of War started in 2014 with a simple idea: give veterans the four-legged backup they need. The group trains service dogs and hands them over free to men and women wrestling with PTSD, addiction, mental health struggles, or the street. Those dogs become more than pets—they open doors, calm storms, and sit quiet when words fail.
The nonprofit also pulls animals out of shelters, disaster zones, and even war zones. Sometimes they fly a dog halfway around the world to put it back in the arms of the soldier who first saved it. Hundreds of dogs have found new jobs, over 450 animals have been rescued, and nearly a thousand volunteers keep the wheels turning.
Robert Misseri, who helped start Paws of War, laid it out clear: “Many of our heroes suffer from addiction, mental health issues and homelessness, and their furry friends often play a vital role in providing comfort and support to help alleviate PTSD symptoms. We truly appreciate Jeptha Creed Distillery’s support in furthering our mission to assist veterans in overcoming challenges while keeping their beloved pets safe and by their side.”
Drive out to Shelbyville and the distillery sits ready for company. Tours walk visitors past the stills, through the fields, and into the barrel rooms where those guardian cats hold the night watch. The gift shop stocks the new bourbon alongside the rest of the lineup. Online orders ship fast, and the store locator points to shelves from coast to coast.
Every bottle of this fourth batch carries more than whiskey. It carries a thank-you to the guys who stood post, to the families who waited, and to the dogs that now stand watch at home. Raise a glass on Veterans Day, or any day, and the toast writes itself: to duty done, to second chances, to the land that grows the corn and the hands that turn it into gold.
