Here’s Why Lexington Sometimes Smells Like Peanut Butter

Lexington Smells Like Peanut Butter

Lexington, Kentucky, smells like peanut butter. No, seriously. And if that aroma makes you hungry, that's probably because you're near the world's primary Jif Peanut Butter manufacturing plant.

If you weren't aware of it, then I'm happy to have enlightened you. There's also a facility in Memphis, which, coincidentally, was the home of a certain global icon who famously loved peanut butter and banana sandwiches. (I'm not sure what Elvis's favorite brand was, though, and he may not have cared.)

The History of Jif in Lexington

Jif Peanut Butter has always been manufactured in Lexington, but not always under that name. In 1946, the William T. Young Foods facility began making Big Top Peanut Butter. It kept that brand name for another nine years until, in 1955, Procter & Gamble purchased the company, renamed the product "Jif," and began rolling it out in 1958. (J.M. Smucker purchased the brand in 2002.)

Along the way, the iconic brand passed one milestone after another. The legendary slogan "Choosy mothers choose Jif" was launched in 1966, the crunchy variety (my favorite) was introduced in 1976, the glass jar yielded to the plastic one in 1986, the reduced sodium/reduced sugar Simply Jif hit store shelves in 1991, and the Jif to Go cups entered our existence in 2006. (Notice all the big anniversaries the company is hitting in 2026.)

While tours of the Jif plant are unavailable, and there is no specific "Jif store," the next time you're in Lexington, head over to 767 East Third Street, where the plant is located. Hop out of the car and take a little stroll. Then see how quickly you want a peanut butter sandwich.