James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Rye (100 Proof)

Without a way to thread posts on Distiller I will point out that this is part of a series of posts regarding Bulleit, Wilderness Trail and James E. Pepper distillery tours. Back home in Lexington, we end our day along the river in the Distillery District of Lexington, KY that is so named thanks to James E. Pepper. The district is a wonderful string of patios along a river with overgrown trees and aromas of Goodfellas pizza fill the air. Parking sucks but welcome to Lexington. The tour, and their offerings are a bit slim. Long story short James E. Pepper inherited the initial distillery (that I believe might have become the grounds for Woodford Reserve) at age 15 and then failed as a business man. He later started over in Lexington using his family and financial status as a platform. Spoiler alert, he failed again. His ridiculously rich wife was able to help bail him out and together they built what, at the time, was one of the largest distilleries in KY. He would die an early death and she would continue to use her high-profile connections to sell their product as a premium, unadulterated product. If nothing else their claim to fame should be successfully suing the state of KY to allow a distillery to bottle its own product, something that by law had to be done my an independent (and a times shady) second party. Like the bottled in bond act, this move likely helped save the reputation of bourbon. As for this product... well, it really isn't. Don't get me wrong, I tasted their white dog and it is full of sharp alcohol and cereal notes with almost a peppermint candy sweetness. That likely reflects their use of malted rye, which is also used by MGP - from which their actual product comes. I purchased their barrel strength rye and quite liked it for it's chocolate, coffee and cinnamon notes. That is what they led with at the distillery tour - a move that I believe is backward. Never have I gone from hight to low proof and felt satisfied. Neither was I satisfied with the remainder of this tasting. Their straight rye has a bit of peppermint, camomile, cacao nibs and a smidge of dish soap. It's not what I would call bad. In comparison to Bulleit's 95/5 MGP rye there are similarities but the biggest difference I believe comes from the fact that Pepper sources malted 95/5 rye from MGP. That malting process is what I suspect yields the cacao and darker notes. That said, this is less of a mixer because of the dark notes and still not a great sipper. It is affordable and is different, but not something I can recommend. Pick up their barrel strength offering if you want the full experience or just avoid altogether.

This was an interesting pour for sure. Nose is super spicy but not off putting. The palate is what shocked me, straight up raisins was the first thing I tasted. It also had a ton of heat and spice. The second sip had less raisins and more floral background which is what moved into the finish. The spice and heat continued through right up until the last of the finish. Then, a great taste of floral, vanilla, some garden-like flavor which was truly pleasant. That finish is what made me go back for more. If it wasn’t for the finish, I wouldn’t enjoy it due to the spice and heat. I’d drink this again for sure but I don’t think I’d buy a bottle.

Doing a flight of this to the 1776 bourbon and Pukeaville. The Pikesville is richer a I prefer it. However, $30 vs $50 & 100 proof vs 110. I already know I love high proof. I am ending the night with this compared t otto the 1776 bourbon. Not entirely fair as the Rye is an MGP and the bourbon is from KY and most likely James Pepper's own distillate. When put head to head with the bourbon I can taste more dill than I previously tasted. It still tastes a little young and harsh. see my other review for more details.

sweet nose with an ethanol punch on first pour. Get a little less burn after 1st sip. Getting a slight oak nose after 1st sip. 1st sip is a nice spicy punch with a good KY hug. 2nd sip still gives that spice with a little bitterness that is ever so slight. I know that flavor but can't recall it. It's not unpleasant and I like it. Finish is rather short with a little.spice. I keep going back to the nose and keep getting that spice. Overall, It is a young rye but I like it.

The nose starts with a burst of vanilla and earthy rye with pickle, brine, brown sugar, toffee and slight baking spices. The palate is somewhat dry but reaches the corners of the mouth with pepper, earthy rye, brine, vanilla, oak and a sharp sweetness to round it out. The finish is medium but has a lingering spiciness and a briney sweetness that lingers mid palate and is somewhat chewy.

Light color. Spicy first sip. Smooth second sip, still a little spicy and sweet but indistinguishable. Third sip is maintaining a slight bite to it but it’s not harsh or bitter by any means. Maybe a little herbal? After a savory bite of meat, you definitely get the spice and maybe a bit of a floral taste. Tobacco, cedar and just a hint of molasses on the nose.