Production Leadership

Cody Giles

James E. Pepper Distillery
Cody Giles, Head Distiller & Blender

A native of Adair County, Kentucky, Head Distiller Cody Giles is a graduate of the University of Kentucky Chemical Engineering program, and their Distillation, Wine, and Brewing Studies program.  After completing his formal education, he joined the Pepper Distillery in 2017 while under construction and has been a critical member of the team since the distillery filled its first barrel.  Cody has overseen the distillation, maturation, and bottling of multiple whiskies, as well as expansion projects at the distillery in Lexington and warehouse property in Midway.

Amir Peay

Amir Peay James E. Pepper Distillery
Amir Peay, Owner & Operator
Since 2008, Amir Peay has led the revival of the iconic James E. Pepper whiskey brand and the resurrection of its historic distillery in Lexington, Kentucky. With decades of experience in the spirits industry, Peay has been recognized as “one of Kentucky’s finest global bourbon ambassadors” by Eric Gregory, President of the Kentucky Distillers Association. In 2021, he received the prestigious Craft Member of the Year Award from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, honoring his contributions to the advancement of the American craft distilling community. His insights on whiskey and the spirits industry have been featured by outlets including NPR, CNN, Forbes, and the Financial Times.