I will be the first to admit that I am often the first to watch or read about a Bourbon and immediately jump on “I need to find that” bottle train. Although I often do not have the chance to review many of these bottles that are sent to other reviewers, occasionally I am able to find them. Today’s review comes from the James E. Pepper Distillery and is the James E. Pepper Kentucky Straight Bourbon Barrel Proof Decanter (Batch No. 0032).

Bottle Information

From the James E. Pepper website: Re-released in 2023, the Decanter bottle is a recreation of a historic bottle produced at our distillery in 1945. Its design highlights the rich color of the whiskies we produce due to our lower barrel entry proof and use of the finest cooperage.

Unique blends of our older stocks & distinct mash bills, consisting of Corn, Rye, Malted Barley & Malted Rye; Aged in new toasted & charred barrels made from Kentucky Oak, air seasoned a minimum of 18-24 months; Water source from the historic distillery well. Distilled & bottled at the historic James E. Pepper Distillery (DSP-KY-5) in Lexington, Kentucky. Average age of whiskies is over 5 years old; bottled straight from the barrel, uncut & unfiltered.

• Distiller: Bottled at the Historic James E. Pepper Distillery (Lexington, KY)
• Mash Bill: Undisclosed
• Proof: 107.8
• Age: NAS
• Year: 2024
• MSRP: $64
• 2024 National Average: $79
• Official Website

This bottle has been a very accessible bottle in the NoCo area, however it’s availability does seem to be dwindling ever so slowly. Overall, this is very fruity sweet mixed with spice. This is a great pour in a beautiful bottle, but I just feel like it is missing something. Overall, this bottle exhibits fruit-forward and sweet notes, but that is about it unless you really dig deep. With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Brown Sugar, Red Fruit, Stone Fruit,Toasted Oak, and Baking Spice
• Palate: Sweet Red Fruit (Strawberry/Raspberry), Citrus, Brown Sugar, Baking Spice, and Toasted Oak
• Finish: Medium with Notes of Baking Spice, Sweet Red Fruit, and Dry Oak
• My Rating: Mix It!/Drink It! (Very fruity sweet mixed with spice.)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman™