Old Pepper Bottled in Bond Bourbon Whiskey is a 100-proof Kentucky straight bourbon from the historic James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington — produced under the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, which guarantees distillation by a single distiller in a single season, a minimum of four years of aging, and bottling at exactly 100 proof.
The James E. Pepper Distillery traces its history to 1780, making it one of the oldest distillery lineages in Kentucky. Colonel James E. Pepper — whose father Oscar Pepper famously employed master distiller James Crow, creator of the sour mash process — was a pivotal figure in 19th-century American whiskey. The Old Pepper Bottled in Bond line revives this heritage at the restored DSP-KY-5 distillery in Lexington, using a multi-grain mashbill of corn, rye, malted barley, and malted rye aged in Kentucky oak barrels.
The signature strip label on each bottle — a design innovation attributed to Colonel Pepper himself — provides full transparency about the distillery, distillation season, and bottling information, in keeping with the spirit of the Bottled-in-Bond Act. Double Gold Medal winner at the 2023 New York World Spirits Competition.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak with light baking spice. Palate: Rich caramel, vanilla, and warming spice layered with hints of malt and toasted rye at 100 proof. Finish: Smooth and lingering with a balance of sweet and spice.
Specs
Distillery: James E. Pepper Distillery, Lexington, Kentucky (DSP-KY-5). Mashbill: Corn, rye, malted barley, malted rye. Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Designation: Bottled in Bond. Proof: 100 (50% ABV). Aged: Minimum 4 years in Kentucky oak. Size: 750ml.
Browse the full Bottled in Bond collection or explore all bourbon at Wooden Cork.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bottled in Bond mean?
Bottled in Bond is a designation under U.S. law (Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897) guaranteeing the whiskey was produced by a single distiller in a single distilling season, aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV). It is one of the oldest and most stringent quality standards in American whiskey.
Who is James E. Pepper?
Colonel James E. Pepper was one of the most prominent figures in 19th-century American whiskey. His father Oscar Pepper employed master distiller James Crow, who developed the sour mash process. James E. Pepper modernized the family distillery and was known for introducing the strip label on bottles for transparency. The James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington has been revived as one of Kentucky's most historically significant craft distilleries.
What makes Old Pepper Bottled in Bond Bourbon different from standard bourbon?
The Bottled-in-Bond designation requires single-distillery, single-season production, four-year minimum aging, and 100-proof bottling — standards that go beyond the basic requirements for straight bourbon. No additives, no blending across seasons, and full label transparency about origin and distillation.
How should Old Pepper Bottled in Bond Bourbon be enjoyed?
Versatile — excellent neat or on the rocks to appreciate the full 100-proof character, or as the base for a premium Old Fashioned or Manhattan where the proof and complexity come through in the cocktail.
