James E. Pepper Decanter | Barrel Proof Bourbon Review

GLASSES I USE:
*Stolzle Lausitz 6.5oz Whisky Nosing Glass (primary drinker, short stem)
Bennuaine Whisky & Spirits Glass (fancy & expensive, long stem)
Luigi Bormioli 5.75oz Vinoteque Snifter (cost-effective long stem option)
Aged & Ore Neat Glass (for casual drinking, stemless)
*denotes used in this video
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I welcome healthy debate and fully appreciate how subjective whisk(e)y review videos are, but please be respectful about any disagreements or strong feelings you might have. I'll delete any rude comments in order to keep this environment friendly. Thanks for watching, and cheers!
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[@daddydog9275]

Agreed. I always roll my eyes when I see RR10 as an alternative to Eagle Rare just because they’re both 10 years old. Their flavor profiles couldn’t be farther apart lol.

[@DrumsAndDrams]

That’s such a prime example lol

[@steveno7058]

RR10 and Eagle Rare do share similarities. Primarily they both have well aged oak flavors. You simply can’t get those same notes from 4-6 year old Bourbon. Sure ER is more cherry and sweet but you get a similar aged flavors with RR10

[@thomasgallagher1945]

I picked up one of the Batch 002 bottles at my local ShopRite in north NJ for $79. I bought it on the recommendation of a friend that I trust. What struck me the most is the dark color of the juice and the beautiful decanter that it comes in. I am not a big fan of Blantons, but I like this! I also plan on using this decanter for my infinity bottle when this runs out. Cheers to all!

[@BourgbonKing]

Found your channel through Matt Madness and wish I had found it sooner. Keep pumping out the great content!

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Thank you!

[@Sb69minis]

I have batch 25 and think it’s so good. I highly recommend it

[@redhead56]

Just got 2 bottles and looking forward to a second try and longer term tasting

[@stanleynitkowski7482]

First and foremost; pay the KZbin algorithm man 😂. Secondly, thank you for the review. I live in a lame state store state and unfortunately have to hunt out of state. Grabbed a batch 9 for $60 in my travels and I agree with your review; my palate gives me some cinnamon and I see the peach and add some floral to it, FYI my batch 9 is labeled at 106.8 and doesn’t have the heat of a 110+ but I understand these blends are all somewhat different. Thank you for doing the channel from a new subscriber!

[@TimTamSlam2]

Didn’t realize how many batches are out there. Looking forward to the follow-up video on batch variations.

[@walkerhines635]

My batch 0001 tasting notes and ratings were much better than your first impressions: 8.67 N: 8.5 T: 8.5 F: 9. rich and nutty oak on nose. Maple on nose. Sweet tarts and toasted brown sugar on taste. Very Sweet oak on finish. On my initial taste of any spirit, I grade on a 10 point scale and then a 100 point scale on my second and third tastes, before I assign a final score, the average of the three scores, converting the initial score to a 100 point scale. And I have a very discerning palette and do not inflate ratings. I did not expect to like it nearly as much as I did. I strongly prefer sweet to spice and do not love nutty notes. I think that likely means there’s major discrepancies between batches. I know that’ll excite you! I’ll enjoy watching as you investigate and dive deeper into the initial release and various batches of pepper barrel proof!

[@javieracosta3439]

Yeah, Cam's the certified man for doing batch variation comparisons 😆

[@jamesstreet1144]

I like the James E Pepper. I’ve got batch 6. Great review and comparison.

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Thanks!

[@javieracosta3439]

On the batching aspect of this, Ive seen my #0009 as well as 0012 on the same shelf here in Connecticut. I wonder if this will be like the C923 debacle where some turd bottles are thrown in to each case being shipped out along with the good ones too. 😂 But giving the folks at Pepper some credit, these seem to be well curated vatting of barrels with these so far without the jaded marketing term "small batch" to be found anywhere on the bottle. Cheers and thanks for the video.

[@bagadonuts78]

HI Cam aka Champ!! You're the first person I've heard describe this as young. I agree that it drinks higher than it's proof. Mine is 105, bought it the distillery back in October so maybe the first batch. Cheers🥃

[@chays19751]

I think it is 5yrs or less so I noticed on the nose mine was a bit young but on the pallet it's freaking impressive! Its got a viscosity that shocked me. The wife and I did a little comparison with a barrel pick Makers that was high proof and this thing was better than the Makers. Really impressive.

[@matteov77]

I have batch 9, I think it drinks closer to 100 proof with very little finish, so a completely different experience for me. But ir's delicous while it is on the pallet. I agree that its a much better comparison to Gold than to regular Blanton's at a much lower proof point. Almost poured the Gold side by side with the Pepper tonight myself and that was before I saw this video. Also agree that if there is some 8.9.10 year old distillate to come it has the chance to be special.

[@javieracosta3439]

I recently got a batch 0009. First impressions where very positive. Got maple pecan pancake vibes overall. Been a week, I should probably go back to it again...for science. As for the Blanton's question: Half the bottles on shelves are a good bet to be a Blantons killer if people did them blind (but understand the want for a similar tasting profile that are affordable and findable)

[@Rare_Brad]

Well done Cam. I'm looking forward to trying that Pepper at some point.

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Thanks man!

[@afkafk129]

It looks cool I’ll at least try it if I see one

[@mikewalker355]

Batch 32 this is really good stuff

[@bekind1784]

JEP is a solid pour! Not exceptional but very good. Vibrant, just enough spice with a lastly finish. Does drink higher/hotter than 107, but very pleasant at the same time. I went back to purchase two back up bottles at $65.

[@richardbarrick1492]

Ran across this vid. few days ago-- your very detailed and seem 2 cover a lot of ground, I picked up the btl.for reasonable $ at Kroger in Southeast KY. because Jas.Pepper name-- 1st. sip, meh hoping it'll open up-- was that your first impression? Thnx.for reviewing, Cheers 🥂 from ETn Smoky Mtns area

[@vernonredmon7211]

Will there be a substitute for any bourbon that is hard to find that will stand up to the hype of those we try to mimic.

[@mrgood1cor13]

I too bought this on the recommendation of a few WhiskeyTubers and didn't really like it on the first pour. Just tasted like every other Bourbon out there. I've never had Blantons Gold to compare it to but Ill go back and give it a 2nd pour now that its sat for a few weeks. I had to do the same with Old Forester 1924. I was almost taken aback by the taste on the first pour but I went back a week later and then a few days after that and now, its one of my favorites because its SO different than most other offerings. Glad I found you channel. Its refreshing to see someone who isn't influenced by sponsors and free sh-t from distilleries.

[@justinfisher78]

I have batch #14. Definitely delicious and different tasting notes than what I hear from this review. I'm not sure I'd compare it to anything in the Blanton's line. This distillate is definitely James E. Pepper's own, not sourced. Distilled in Lexington, and aged in the Lexington area. On the upside though, comparing to Blanton's which has been around since the mid-1980s bodes well for this revived legacy brand that is clearly young and emerging.

[@CharleyCarey]

They must be really churning these out. I bought a bottle on Saturday, batch 34.

[@BenDrenkin]

Batch 11 and backed it up!

[@jakeanderson2355]

Just picked up Batch 25 after randomly finding it. 107.2 proof. Bottle says it was Distilled and bottled on site so I grabbed it. May need to grab a back up

[@mero40k]

Profiles may be different sure but Im guarunteed to have a better drinking experience with a Russells SiB pick than a 90p 7yr cherry bomb. I think thats the point of those videos. Yes ofc lists are clickbaity.

[@jayknable8398]

Batch 0020 is nice.. complex but approachable... haven't tried any others.

[@Gylldoh]

I picked up a blantons store pick before Christmas. Looked up the barrel details and it came in at 4yr 10 months… couldn’t believe it. Gave it away as a present. I’ll seek something older.

[@jonclassical2024]

I tried the JEP, good nose, ok taste profile, but there was a "dang/old stale barrel taste" in the finish that turned me off. Fun to try, but not worth the price in the end.

[@hedgehog8844]

Your review was very similar to mine…I know…way behind on responding based on stream date. While I don’t get all the notes you do, overall similar assessment. A bit of hype, it solid pour. I was let down based on the hype…and…how is it you only have 8k in followers? So much better than the junkies! You and Matt need to team up every quarter!

[@tinabauerle2794]

Can't get Blanton's or James E Pepper Decanter.

[@umami0247]

I haven't seen it yet in my area in Ohio I'm in the NE area but I do enjoy the Old Pepper bourbon and rye. The Old pepper is a Ohio pick and is a banger. And to me it's not about being better than any BT product it's just better than BT bottles. I don't chase BT anything ever to many other bottles out there better than BT. Enjoy!!

[@tracejames8193]

James E Pepper spanks blantons. I agree Gold maybe is a contender, but for the availability and the price, the James E Pepper Decanter is spectacular.

[@robzilla69]

Many things are better than Blanton's!

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Agreed lol

[@877-MASH-NOW]

WHISKEY CHEERS 😎

[@peteripsen460]

I didn't get youth on the nose, but it is hot (for the proof) on the palate.

[@BigfootBourbonNerd]

I like this a lot more than Blanton’s. I don’t even buy Blanton’s anymore

[@BentleyPascoe]

I'll comment after minute 1, but will likely add something later: I would understand "blanton's killer" or "blanton's alternative" if it was a similar flavor profile, but Pepper is NOT the same profile. Great juice for the price, awesome looking bottle, but not even remotely comparable in profile to me. Blanton's is like pure caramel and vanilla candy, where the Pepper is much more savory notes and less "classic bourbon" notes.

[@DrumsAndDrams]

I find some similarities, but not like I’ve been hearing. I think there are relationships between their honey and cinnamon notes, but they’re presented at different intensities. Certainly the other aspects of the whiskey are pretty different though. Cheers

[@toddritter5612]

The decanter is an homage to the James Pepper decanter of the late 40s/early 50s. The new Pepper distillery used to source from MGP. I believe this is their own distillate possibly blended with something else.

[@mikestich9173]

@@DrumsAndDramsits all about the pizza

[@etheridgegray4125]

Can you tell me the name of the glass, please?

[@mikestich9173]

Anus glass

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Stolzle Lausitz Nosing Glass I believe - it’s in the vid description as well

[@krischurch2299]

Why didn't you taste it blind?

[@drwillfranklin1]

I find it very bitter finish.. but a great nose

[@golfguruct]

I have a batch 0006 if you want a sample

[@DrumsAndDrams]

A sample of that batch just arrived actually, but thank you for the offer!

[@graveshotx]

How the heck can Cam say that he doesn't know where it comes from. Literally says on the front of the bottle, and I quote: "Distilled at the Historic James E Pepper Distillery in Lexington, KY", It's all their own juice.

[@DrumsAndDrams]

Yeah I’m an idiot for this. I checked the back of the bottle and it only said “bottled by,” so I assumed it was possible that it was partially or entirely from elsewhere. I’m not super familiar with Pepper, to be honest. I should’ve looked at the front of the bottle 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@average_bourbon_dad]

I was going to pick up a bottle from a local shop that got in a couple of cases but he wanted double MRSP. No thanks

[@whatsthepoint170]

Own the clickbait Cam…own that s…t!

[@DrumsAndDrams]

I’ll do my best 😂

[@TBBMusicBlog]

Blatons is for tators.

[@account2292]

There a no alternatives in the Whisky world. They are each and all original and there are no duplicates.

[@VonHanzee]

Hype . Why? Well every corporate hype shill on YT is well, pushing it , all in conjunction

[@williamsedlock3903]

The only blatings that's any good is straight from the barrel all the other stuff really isn't any good

[@anthonyhensley5994]

You’re comparing a 60 dollar bottle to what is Blanttons gold 150 retail? How is that even a fair comparison? Why not put it up against a shelf bottle of Blantons and not a store pick either.. that would make way more sense..

[@DrumsAndDrams]

It was a comparison of flavor profiles, not SRPs

[@mikestich9173]

Ey bro Im bout to make a pizza gnomesayin?

[@robertpatterson3106]

You are comparing a $60 bottle to a $150 dollar bottle. For me the regular blantons isn’t all that great. Blantons is mostly hype.

[@DrumsAndDrams]

It was meant to be a comparison of flavor profiles, not price

[@robertpatterson3106]

@@DrumsAndDrams by your own comparison the profile are very similar. With a 100 saving and from what I can tell more availability it is a Blantons Killer. You also stated it everyone else was comparing it to Blantons not Blantons Gold. What the difference in flavor profile of Blanton and Blanton Gold. You only chose the Gold to match proof, if proof matters then it will be a Blanton killer.

[@N.M.T.K]

I don't even like Blanton's