b'fall over in storms. They also lose a portion of the crop to wildlife. The deer, squirrels and raccoons love it as much as people do.Despite hurdles, Nethery remainsJeptha Creed combines Bloody Butcher, Hickory committed to heirloom corn.King white corn and Bruces Blue corn for their Red, Its worth it for the flavor, she said.White and Blue bourbon offering which pays tribute Its what makes our bourbon unique. to those who served in the military. The limited Jeptha Creeds experimentationrelease hits the store on Veterans Day each year. doesnt stop at Bloody Butcher corn.PHOTO: JEPTHA CREED DISTILLERY. Their Red, White and Blue Bourbon blends heirloom varieties to create a spirit that celebrates their agricultural roots and honors veterans. We use Bloody Butcher, Hickory King white corn, and Bruces Blue, Nethery says. Its our way of tying our craft to history and giving back to the community.When it comes to the role of seed breeders in the spirits indus-try, Nethery has a clear request: dont lose sight of flavor. Theres been so much emphasis on yield and efficiency, but Id like to see more attention on maintaining and enhancing flavor, she said. The varietal of corn makes a difference in bourbon, just like the varietal of grapes does in wine.Her respect for heirloom varieties remains. Id hate to lose the flavor to get shorter, easier-to-harvest stalks, she says. That flavor connects us to our grandparents, to history. Its worth protecting.Connecting the Grain to the GlassAs bourbon consumers become more interested in where their products come from, initiatives like the Estate Whiskey Alliance are gaining traction. This program ensures that at least 75% of a bourbons grain is grown on land owned or leased near the distillery.Its about connecting consumers with the origin of their bourbon, DeBolt explains. Think of it as bourbons version of Napa Valley wine terroir.For Jeptha Creed, the alliances values align perfectly with their ground-to-glass philosophy. All our corn is grown within 10 miles of the distillery, Nethery says. The certification adds trust and authenticity to what we do.Homestead Family Farms also recognizes the growing con-sumer interest in authenticity. People want to know the story behind their bourbon, Miracle adds. Its more than just a labelits a connection to the land and the people who cultivate it.Innovation and Tradition in Bourbons FutureAs bourbon continues to evolve, corns remains at its core. From Homesteads precise cultivation of non-GMO hybrids to Jeptha Creeds heirloom experiments, the industry balances innovation with tradition to deliver the highest quality spirits.While corn breeding for bourbon remains an underexploredJoyce Nethery pulls the bung on a barrel of Jeptha Creed Bourbon. area, DeBolt sees untapped potential in breeding corn specificallyPHOTO: JEPTHA CREED DISTILLERY. for bourbon. INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2025SEEDWORLD.COM /35'