A couple months back I reviewed the 6-year-old James E Pepper Bourbon, today we’re digging into their standard release, the James E Pepper 1776 Bourbon. Non chill-filtered and bottled at 100 proof, this is a bourbon that brings a lot to the table for a relatively low price.
Sourced from MGP, like all their other whiskeys and aged for a minimum of three years, one more than their rye whiskeys, it’s about as standard of bourbon you can get on paper. Though what doesn’t translate from paper is just how good this “standard bourbon” is in practice.
James E Pepper 1776 Bourbon Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In James E. Pepper’s Words: James E Pepper 1776 Bourbon
100 Proof – Not Chill-Filtered – Over 38% Rye in the Mash Bill. Rich Bourbon Sweetness & Rye Spice; vanilla, honey, cloves, & chocolate. Neat, over ice, or in a proper Old Fashioned, this whiskey rocks
James E Pepper 1776 Bourbon price, ABV, age and other details
Region: Indiana, USA
Distiller: MGP
Bottler: James E Pepper
Mash Bill: 57% Corn, 39% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 3 Years
ABV: 50%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $26*
James E Pepper 1776 Bourbon Tasting Notes
EYE
Amber
NOSE
Cocoa, roasted corn, cinnamon, nuts, marmalade, spice and bits of strawberry candy, vanilla and oak.
PALATE
Nuts, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, roasted corn, jammy citrus and bits of fruit, char, menthol and oak coming through.
FINISH
Medium – Buttery corn, caramel, vanilla, spice and oak.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance, medium body and a bit thin and light on the feel.
James E Pepper 1776 Bourbon Review: OVERALL
For being a 3-year-old high-rye bourbon it seems to have far more dark sweets that anything else. Both the oak and the spice level on this are low and it ends up coming across, on both the aroma and palate, as a sweet nutty bourbon. There is a touch more oak and spice on the palate than the aroma, but not by a huge margin.
It has a nice MGP bourbon profile and is better than most craft bourbons of a similar age. As a sipper it’s decent and easy and as a cocktail mixer it packs a punch. It’s also relatively cheap so it’s not a bad choice to have on your bar for when friends come over or you wanna whip up a quick and tasty Old Fashioned.
SCORE: 84/100 (B)
*Disclosure: This James E Pepper 1776 Bourbon was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
James E Pepper 1776 Bourbon Review 26
- Nose - 83
- Palate - 86
- Finish - 84
- Balance, Body & Feel - 84
James E Pepper 1776 Bourbon Review Summary
James E Pepper 1776 Bourbon is a decent whiskey at a decent price point that works well neat or in a cocktail.
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