James E. Pepper Decanter Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

James E. Pepper Decanter Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is Lexington whiskey in a recreation of the distillery’s 1945 decanter, blended from older high-rye stocks — corn with raw rye, malted rye, and malted barley — distilled on the Vendome still at DSP-KY-5. Barrels are Kentucky oak from Kelvin, air-seasoned 18–24 months, toasted then charred; well water and a lower entry proof keep the color deep. Average age is a little over five years, bottled uncut and unfiltered around 105.4 proof. This is an after-dinner dram.

Toasted oak and walnut meet dried dark fruit, marzipan, and creamy vanilla. Stewed apricot, golden raisin, and cinnamon round a bright middle; citrus peel, nutmeg, rye spice, and leather close a medium-long finish. It drinks unfiltered and fruit-forward for the proof, with enough oak and spice to stay serious in the glass.