James E. Pepper Gold Label Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

James E. Pepper Gold Label Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a limited Lexington decanter blend: twenty-five barrels aged about 6.3 to 7.6 years, bottled uncut and unfiltered at 104 proof. Same historic DSP-KY-5 still house, Kentucky oak, and well water as the Pepper program, chosen as a small-batch Gold Label rather than a standing dump. Extra time in toasted, charred oak is what you taste as honey, citrus peel, and seasoned wood. Save it for cold weather.

Honey, caramel, and toasted oak lead, with vanilla cream, dried cherry, and walnut in the middle. Citrus peel and baking spice — cinnamon, nutmeg — keep the sip lifted; marzipan and a long oak-spice finish follow. It drinks full and unfiltered at 104 proof, sweet at the core with a dry, spicy close.