Sunday Evening Review

If part of the reason you are into American whiskies is the history and stories that come with it, it will be hard to beat the history of the Old Pepper Distillery. The only problem with history and stories I have never figured out a way to taste it. So let’s get to the juice of this Old Pepper Distillery’s Single Barrel Rye at Barrel Proof. Let’s find out if we should just stick to the stories or ask for another pour.

NAME – Old Pepper Distillery Single Barrel Straight Rye Barrel Proof (DSP IN-15023)

PROOF – 121.8

AGE – 5 years

COLOR – amber honeycomb (1.3 russet muscat on the Whiskey Magazine Color Chart)

NOSE – Orange citrus, butterscotch, clove, vanilla cream, and some vague herbal notes

TASTE – Palate falls in line with the nose. Orange citrus, butterscotch, clove, vanilla cream and the herbal note comes into focus as a whisper of mint.

FINISH – I would call this a long finish. The citrus and vanilla cream just keeps hanging on and on.

REVIEW – This is a spectacular rye. Has just enough of that mint/herbal note to let you know it is a rye without being obnoxious about it. Then the orange creamsicle note that runs the entire length of the experience is very pleasant. Does not drink like a 120 proofed rye and more like a 105 proof rye with a ton of flavor and finish.

FINAL COMMENTS – From the back of the bottle:

The Pepper Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky was initially built in 1880 by Colonel James E. Pepper. At the time, it was said to be the largest and most technologically advanced distillery in the nation,. It was there that Col. Pepper produced his famous high-grade whiskey, of which he was a flamboyant promoter. Indeed, legend has it that the Old Fashioned cocktail was invented in his honor, which he subsequently introduced to the world during his frequent stays in New York City. The distilleryoperated until 1967, when both it and the brand were abandoned for over 50 years. After a decade of historical research and renovation, the brand was relaunched and the distillery was rebuilt – filling its first barrel in 2017.

There is a ton more to the Pepper story and I encourage you to go here to learn more.

You can look at all the past Sunday Evenings Reviews and I would still love to hear what your personal reviews are from each of the whiskies reviewed.