In the heart of downtown Lexington, where tradition and creation collide, Dark Arts Whiskey House is quietly transforming the world of whiskey. At Dark Arts, barrels from Japan, France, and South America line the walls, and the air is thick with the scent of innovation. Chief Alchemist Macaulay Minton is rewriting the rules of whiskey — and Kentucky bourbon.
Minton started the company in 2023, initially producing product, and just opened its brick-and-mortar space this past June. The space offers a full bar, tours, and the “Thief from the Barrel Experience,” where guests can drink straight from a cask of their choosing.
Local ties
Hailing from a family farm in Western Kentucky, Minton has lived in Lexington for 15 years and studied distillation, brewing, and winemaking at the University of Kentucky — now the Jim B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits.
He began as an intern in Wilderness Trail Distillery’s fermentation lab, researching yeast optimization and completing a project on ale yeast. Over the next decade, Minton worked as a distillery operator before founding Dark Arts Whiskey House.
From the Cask
Minton describes Dark Arts Whiskey House as Lexington’s premier interactive blending, finishing, and re-barreling house. He brings a scientific, inventive approach to bourbon, sourcing woods and barrels from Japan, France, Europe, and Napa Valley to craft roughly 75 unique products, with four in their core lineup — Toasted Mizunara Bourbon, French Oak Stave Finished Bourbon, Barely Legal Bourbon, and Amburana Oak Stave Finished Rye.
Using the core lineup, they also have an extensive cocktail menu, described as “crafted with intent and served with a whisper of danger.” As a cold brew lover, I’m looking forward to trying the Brazilian Jitter Juice, made with Amburana Rye and said to be “caffeinated, complex, and charged with orange zest and spice.”
Favoring a sweeter profile, Dark Arts blends tradition and experimentation, creating a signature taste that pushes boundaries and still tastes like home in Kentucky’s bourbon scene.
Awards
Officially preparing to join the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and racking up numerous national awards — a trophy case would be a wise investment:
- Double Gold & 99 Points at San Francisco | Nearly the entire core lineup received Double Gold and 99-point ratings at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
- ASCOT Awards Recognition | The “Barely Legal Bourbon” earned a Double Platinum at Fred Minnick’s ASCOT Awards, a prestigious event judged by over 40 industry experts.
- Best Blended Whiskey at ASCOT | The same bourbon was also awarded Best Blended Whiskey at the 2025 ASCOT Awards.
- Distributed in 30 States | Dark Arts Whiskey House products are now available in 30 states, expanding its reach across the US.
- “Blunt Blend” Innovation | The whiskey house introduced the “Blunt Blend,” the first whiskey crafted to pair with cannabis consumption, as recognized by Whiskey Advocate.
