REDEFINING THE BOUNDARIES OF FLAVOR

Dark Arts is a blending, rebarreling, and finishing house in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, with a process that is anything but ordinary. Inspired by the alchemists of old, our Master Blenders wield underutilized maturation and blending techniques to transform wood, fire, grain and water into liquid gold. Using equal parts mastery and belief in the unknown, we procure high-quality ingredients, create custom blends, and age them in unconventional barrels to craft unique and elevated whiskeys.

In the heart of the bourbon industry, where tradition and heritage thrive, our founders embarked on a quest for something more. As whiskey enthusiasts, they were excited by the industry's rapid growth but sensed a void—an untapped magic waiting to be unleashed. Their journey began with a revelation: the art of whiskey making is not just science, but an alchemical fusion of flavors and possibilities. Driven by a passion for elevating the role of Master Blenders to artists, prioritizing taste, and defying convention, Dark Arts Whiskey House was born.

  • Macaulay Minton

    President and Chief Alchemist

    Macaulay Minton is a highly skilled master taster and blender in the industry. With extensive experience at a prominent Kentucky Distillery, Macaulay has held various key positions over the years. Starting from a yeast microbiology lab, Macaulay's career has encompassed roles such as a sweet mash distillery operator, and founder of one of the largest private barrel programs in the industry. Macaulay’s blends, single barrel selections, and marketing strategies are renowned in the industry for their rich and bold expressions, as well as their ability to captivate enthusiasts. Macaulay obtained a bachelor's degree in Community Leadership and Development, as well as the Distilling, Wine, and Brewing studies program from the University of Kentucky.

  • David Peet

    CEO and Master Distiller (FYI - we don’t own a still)

    David Peet is a highly accomplished serial entrepreneur with a track record of building successful companies in a variety of industries. As a long-time whiskey enthusiast, he lamented the disappearance of great whiskey from liquor stores shelves over the last decade as demand for good bourbon has outpaced supply. Whiskey kept getting younger and more expensive! Dark Arts is committed to bringing exceptional whiskey to market with at a good value for our customer.

MEET DAMOS

Long ago, in the ancient Greek city of Athens, there lived an alchemist they called Damos. And though he was born into a golden age of knowledge, it wasn’t knowledge that Damos craved — but meaning. A man of endless curiosity, Damos saw the world as a tapestry whose designs could be seen by all and understood by few. Fire, water, earth, air — it was not enough for Damos to simply work with the elements. He needed to master them and push beyond what others thought possible.

One night, Damos found himself between two seas. Below him, the obsidian waters of the Aegean. And above, a shimmering blanket of stars. As he looked back and forth between the two, a vision came over him that sent him rushing back to his laboratory. Days later, he emerged with a most curious liquid. Aqua vitae, he called it. And with every sip, he found the meaning he had long been searching for.

Whiskey Tastings in Lexington, KY

We are not open to the public yet (still working through tasting room licensing challenges) for tastings or hand bottling. We hope to be in the future. As an alternative, Justin's House of Bourbon (located at 601 W. Main Street, Lexington, KY 40508) offers bottle pours of our products and has a few single barrel selections available at any given time.

Every sip is its own journey of discovery. Dark Arts Whiskey House caters to those seeking a soul-stirring experience, one that expands your whiskey worldview. Whether you're a seasoned dabbler or an intrepid apprentice, we welcome you to our house, where experimentation reigns supreme and innovation knows no bounds.