An historic American whiskey brand, James E. Pepper can trace its history back to the eventful year of 1776.

This was of course the year of the American Revolution, but also the year that James Pepper’s grandfather founded the “Old Pepper” distillery in Kentucky, said to be amongst the first distilleries in the state. James E. Pepper himself was born in 1850, and became one of the most successful distillers of his time. The Pepper distillery was at one point the largest in America. Pepper was also something of an eccentric, moving amongst the highest of New York society circles, and known for his love of horseriding.

Although the Pepper distillery managed to survive through Prohibition, distilling for medicinal reasons, it unfortunately closed in 1958. Luckily the brand was revived in 2008, and although the old distillery is no longer used, a new plant began operation in 2017.

This old fashioned rye whisky is made using a mashbill of 90% rye, and has ben aged for around two or three years. The result is a powerful, fruity and spicy whiskey, with notes of cedarwood, lemon rind, toffee, mint, green herbs, espresso, dark chocolate, bright new oak, chilli, cinnamon, cloves and rye grain.

Bottled at a warming 46% for extra body and depth.

• Product type
  Rye
• Distillery / brand
  James E. Pepper
• Country
  USA
• Cask type
  New Oak
• Non-chillfiltered
  Yes
• Natural colour
  Yes
• SKU
  039656