James E. Pepper Decanter Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Color: A pleasant medium copper-amber hue. Nose: Remarkable! I don't believe I've ever encountered such a fruit-forward aroma. Hints of peach, apricot, or melon. Truly, in my many years of tasting and numerous bottles consumed, this is a distinctive bouquet. It's worth noting that the aroma is quite "light." No sting in the nostrils or overpowering alcohol often found in spirits over 100 proof. I detect "butterscotch" (potentially my personal ultimate bourbon characteristic), and subtle oak. This is likely the most I've ever elaborated on a "Nose." Ha! Palate: (First serving enjoyed neat) A slightly syrupy texture and a surprisingly strong chest warmth upon the initial taste. I honestly wasn't expecting that, given the nose. A significant amount of spicy oak on the second taste. Preparing for a second pour with an ice cube. Let's see what else emerges... Receiving a bit more spicy tingle on the first sip of this second serving with ice. Many of the same flavors from the initial pour are present, with the addition of licorice – which becomes quite prominent towards the back of the tongue. Yes... Oak, licorice, and spice are the dominant elements here. Finish: I'm describing this as having a medium-long finish with a very pronounced licorice character, holiday baking spices, and some graham cracker notes. Final Thoughts: This is a very intriguing pour. It lacks the "sweetness" and "smokiness" I typically prefer... but it possesses many qualities that have won me over. Put simply, I like it — very much. It's one of a kind, in my opinion. A solid 4.25 stars. I will absolutely grab another bottle as soon as possible.

Batch No. 0008 52.6% alcohol by volume; 105.2 proof Opened 4 months ago Nose: Raisins, apricot, fruity candy, vanilla bean, caramel, artificial Maraschino cherries, white pepper, moderate barrel char, and slight ethanol. Palate: Creamy cinnamon glaze, lemon custard, essential oils, golden raisins, Honey Nut Cheerios, and spicy oak. Velvety, viscous, and oily texture. The mouthfeel is exceptional for the proof. The finish is medium-long with slightly dry oak and char, freshly cracked peppercorns, caramel, cinnamon, medicinal cherries, lemon zest, and moderate ethanol. I hesitated to buy this bottle for a couple of months. It certainly stands out, possessing one of the most attractive bottle designs on the market. I held off for several reasons: I didn't know much about it, there were very few reviews available online, and typically, the more attractive the bottle, the poorer the product. Additionally, I haven't been impressed with the 1776 product line. However, I then noticed it was included in Fred Minnick's top 100 list for 2023. Subsequently, it received high ratings from a few YouTube channels I follow. So, I'm pleased I was passively influenced into purchasing it, as it is excellent. I'm surprised James E. Pepper is achieving these flavors from their own distillate in supposedly only 5-6 years. They must be using a low alcohol by volume for barrel entry, around 105-110 proof, which would account for the incredible mouthfeel. Don't overlook this bottle. I'm nearly out of my current one and purchased Batch 0022 last weekend. These are significantly better than most products in the $60 price range.

Batch No. 0022 53.9% alcohol by volume; 107.8 proof Opened for 6 months Aroma: Freshly baked cinnamon buns, nutmeg, browned butter, pine sap, lemon oil, roasted peaches, toasted rye, and moderate ethanol. Palate: Citrus peel, mint, pine needles, pumpernickel, and gingerbread. The finish is long with mouth-coating citrus and pine oils, dry oak, dry cinnamon, rye bread, and moderate ethanol. This is the second batch I've sampled, and they continue to be an excellent value. Each time I visit a northern Kentucky store, they are available for $60 or less. They don't possess the typical bourbon profile that enthusiasts seek (exceedingly sweet and straightforward), but I believe I've found a good comparison. It's more savory and exhibits more rye spice than Rare Breed or Russell's Reserve. I've encountered a couple of off-profile Russell's Reserve picks recently, and this reminds me of those. I would also liken this to the more floral and savory Four Roses barrel proof selections that often get overlooked.

The nose offers cedar, cotton candy, berry, vanilla, root beer, walnut, and butter. It's certainly unique, but also a bit wild. The ethanol presence is on the milder side, especially after five minutes in the glass. The palate is rich with black cherry, cola, caramel, stewed pear, fig, tobacco, and a hint of peanut. The flavors are quite robust. The pleasantly long finish presents salted caramel, toasted oak, nutmeg, finely ground pepper, and leather. A cinnamon note persists after all other flavors have faded. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and slightly creamy, enhancing the overall experience. Nicely unique without significant flaws, I found this enjoyable. At $60, it's priced appropriately for the market and a viable repurchase option for the sake of variety when you tire of the usual offerings.

The aroma is a rush of creamy oak and vanilla, accented with floral rye spice. Hints of citrus follow, along with a touch of brown sugar sweetness. A very traditional bourbon aroma. The palate is rich and coats the mouth with oak and spice, providing a satisfying chewiness. Mild vanilla and brown sugar appear in just the right measure to complement the initial sharpness. This is exceptionally well-balanced and delicious. The finish is long, chewy, and spicy. The mouth continues to tingle, with flavors still detectable throughout. A straightforward flavor profile, executed outstandingly well.

This is a delightful Bourbon with a rich heritage. The brand traces its origins to 1780 and has been re-established at the original historic site using traditional methods. A great Bourbon selected at barrel proof. It offers a wonderful sweetness combined with fruitiness. On the nose: very distinct notes of molasses and brown sugar. On the palate - it's like having cream and cherry cola. Brown sugar, molasses, and cherry. It's not overly sweet and is well-balanced with the cherry. I would suggest it over many well-known brands!