Popular Kentucky Distillery: James E. Pepper Distillery

OriginLexington, Kentucky, United States
ManufacturerJames E. Pepper Distillery
EstablishedFounded in 1780
OwnershipAmir Peay

Introduction

The James E. Pepper Distillery offers several flagship products, including the James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Bourbon Whiskey, James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Rye Whiskey, and James E. Pepper 1776 Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The 1776 Straight Bourbon is a 100 proof, unfiltered bourbon with a mash bill of 60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley. It is aged 3-4 years and distilled at the Lawrenceburg Distillery in Indiana. The 1776 Straight Rye is also 100 proof.

The Barrel Proof Bourbon features a rich, complex flavor profile with notes of toasted oak, walnuts, marzipan, and dried fruits. These products build on the legacy of the Pepper family, who founded the distillery in 1780 during the American Revolution and later saw James E. Pepper trademark the “Old Pepper” brand in 1880. After decades of dormancy, the brand was revived in 2008 by Amir Peay, who restored the historic distillery and resumed production in 2017 using the original family recipes.

James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Bourbon Whiskey

James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Rye Whiskey

James E. Pepper 1776 Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Timeline

  • The distillery was founded by Elijah Pepper in 1780 during the American Revolution.
  • James E. Pepper, born in 1850, took over the distillery and began producing his own whiskey using the family’s mash bill recipe.
  • In 1880, James trademarked his whiskey as Old Pepper and started bottling bourbon with slogans like “Born with the Republic” and “Old 1776.”
  • The brand faced dormancy until 2008 when Amir Peay revitalized it, sourcing whiskey and restoring the distillery for operations.
  • In 2017, distillation resumed at the original distillery, producing products like 1776 Straight Bourbon.

Famous Product Releases

  • Old Pepper whiskey, branded by James E. Pepper in 1880.
  • 1776 Straight Bourbon bottled at 100 proof.
  • Products like 6 Year Bourbon, 15 Year Bourbon, 15 Year Rye, and Sherry Cask Finish Rye.

Important People in Distillery History

  • Elijah Pepper, who founded the distillery during the American Revolution.
  • James E. Pepper, who trademarked Old Pepper whiskey and revitalized the brand in 2008.
  • Amir Peay, who played a crucial role in restoring the distillery and relaunching the brand.

Significant Historical Events

  • James E. Pepper’s efforts to bottle bourbon instead of selling it by the barrel, introducing slogans on bottles like “Old 1776.”
  • Amir Peay’s restoration of the abandoned distillery after fifty years of neglect.
  • Colonel James E. Pepper’s advocacy for the whiskey business and his contributions to promoting his family brand.

Interviews with People at the Distillery

  • Colonel James E. Pepper was known for socializing with American industry leaders like John D. Rockefeller and Theodore Roosevelt.
  • Colonel Pepper is credited with introducing the “Old Fashioned” cocktail at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Products and Practices

  • The distillery offers a range of whiskies sourced from Indiana and Kentucky distilleries.
  • Products are distilled unfiltered, aged between three to four years, and bottled at various proofs.
  • The brand emphasizes using original Revolutionary-era recipes and historical practices in its whiskey production.

Sources


[1] https://sippinghistory.com/2022/03/17/old-pepper-distillery/
[2] https://jamesepepper.com
[3] https://jamesepepper.com/james-e-pepper/
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_E._Pepper