• The Bar
  • The Rickhouse
  • Whiskey 101
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • The Rickhouse
    • By Age
    • By Classification
    • By Price
  • The Bar
    • By Flavor
    • By Occasion
    • By Season
  • Whiskey 101
  • Blog
  • Contact

Neatly Sipped

Bourbon Reviews, 2-3 Years, $30-$39, 4 Years, Straight Whiskey · November 21, 2023

James E. Pepper 1776 Bourbon

Few families are as intertwined in bourbon history as the Peppers. 

The Pepper Distillery was established in 1780 by Elijah Pepper. Across three generations, Elijah, Oscar, and James made huge contributions to the bourbon industry. Oscar, alongside Scottish chemist James Crow, invented the sour mash process, which helps distilleries control the bacterial growth within a mash and ultimately regulate the bourbon from batch to batch. No big deal. 

James E. Pepper lobbied the KY government to create a law which allowed distilleries to bottle their bourbon on site, rather than selling barrels to informal bottlers who could contaminate or counterfeit the bourbon. With this change, James also trademarked the sealing of a bourbon bottle with a signature stamp across the top. 

There’s also a slight rumor that the Old Fashioned cocktail was invented in James’ honor. Historians have pretty much debunked that one as an old fashioned lie, but either way the Peppers’ contribution to bourbon society can stand on its own. 

Despite the family’s significance, the distillery ultimately ceased production in 1967. It wasn’t until a few years ago that the distillery’s doors reopened and introduced the James E. Pepper 1776 Bourbon and the 1776 Rye Whiskey counterpart.

While it appears the new distillery is at least partially sourcing their supply, the final bourbon is still uniquely Pepper. The James E. Pepper 1776 Bourbon is fully rounded with rich vanilla and chocolate flavors, but quickly followed by a kick of balanced spices like cloves and, as luck would have it, pepper. The result is a sweet bourbon with an almost rye finish. And for only $30 a bottle? Sign us up. 

Stepping out of the shadow of bourbon legacy was no easy task, but this bourbon would certainly have made the Peppers proud.

STATS: James E. Pepper 1776 Bourbon

  • Price for us: $30 for 750 mL
  • Proof: 100
  • Aged: 3-4 Years
  • Distillery: James E. Pepper Distilling Company 
  • Recommendation: Neat

Posted In: Bourbon Reviews, 2-3 Years, $30-$39, 4 Years, Straight Whiskey · Tagged: Bourbon, James E. Pepper

You’ll Also Love

Benchmark Top Floor
Left Hand
Bourbon Lift
Next Post >

Bourbon Street Blues

Still Browsing?

You can browse by spirit, price, age statement, or classification to find the perfect whiskey bottle or whiskey cocktail.

Browse by Spirit

  • American Single Malt
  • Bourbon
  • Irish Whiskey
  • Rye Whiskey
  • Scotch
  • Wheat Whiskey

Browse by Price

  • Under $20
  • $20-$29
  • $30-$39
  • $40-$49
  • $50-$59
  • Over $60

Browse by Age

  • NAS
  • 2-3 Years
  • 4 Years
  • 5-8 Years
  • 9-12 Years

Browse by Classification

  • Barrel Proof
  • Bottled-in-Bond
  • Double Barrel
  • Single Barrel
  • Small Batch
  • Straight Whiskey

Latest on Instagram

Is the Top Floor top notch? Read the full review o Is the Top Floor top notch? Read the full review of Benchmark Top Floor at the link in our bio. ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#neatlysipped #bourbon #bourbonwhiskey #whiskey #whiskeyreview #kentucky #kentuckybourbon #drinks #bourbonreview #washingtondc #happyhour #benchmark #buffalotrace
A drink that always comes in handy. Find the full A drink that always comes in handy. Find the full recipe for the Left Hand cocktail at the link in our bio. ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#neatlysipped #bourbon #bourbonwhiskey #whiskey #whiskeyreview #kentucky #kentuckybourbon #drinks #bourbonreview #happyhour #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailgram #behindthebar #craftycocktails #drinkup #cocktailculture #drinkstagram #drinkoftheday #lefthand #milkandhoney #nyc
The Bitter Truth: Everything you need to know abou The Bitter Truth: Everything you need to know about cocktail bitters. Read the full post at the link in our bio. ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#neatlysipped #bourbon #bourbonwhiskey #whiskey #whiskeyreview #kentucky #kentuckybourbon #drinks #bourbonreview #washingtondc #happyhour #cocktails #cocktailbitters #bitters #angostura #feebrothers #bittermens
Need a tip for what to drink this St. Patty's Day? Need a tip for what to drink this St. Patty's Day? Try the Tipperary. Find the recipe at the link in our bio. ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#neatlysipped #bourbon #bourbonwhiskey #whiskey #whiskeyreview #kentucky #kentuckybourbon #drinks #bourbonreview #happyhour #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailgram #behindthebar #craftycocktails #drinkup #cocktailculture #drinkstagram #drinkoftheday #tipperary #deadrabbit #nyc
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the newest toast Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the newest toast of Ireland. Find the full review of Slane Irish Whiskey at the link in our bio. ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#neatlysipped #bourbon #bourbonwhiskey #whiskey #whiskeyreview #kentucky #kentuckybourbon #drinks #bourbonreview #washingtondc #happyhour #irishwhiskey #brownforman #slane #slanewhiskey #slanecastle
After almost a century of the status quo, Irish Wh After almost a century of the status quo, Irish Whiskey is said to be going through its own "Renaissance." Read everything you need to know about Irish Whiskey at the link in our bio. ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#neatlysipped #bourbon #bourbonwhiskey #whiskey #whiskeyreview #Ireland #Irishwhiskey #tullamore #slane #sexton #stpattysday #kentucky #kentuckybourbon #drinks #bourbonreview #happyhour #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailgram #behindthebar #craftycocktails #drinkup #cocktailculture #drinkstagram #drinkoftheday
Put an extra lift in your day with the Bourbon Lif Put an extra lift in your day with the Bourbon Lift. Find the recipe for the Bourbon Lift at the link in our bio. ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
#neatlysipped #bourbon #bourbonwhiskey #whiskey #whiskeyreview #kentucky #kentuckybourbon #drinks #bourbonreview #happyhour #cocktails #cocktailsofinstagram #cocktailgram #behindthebar #craftycocktails #drinkup #cocktailculture #drinkstagram #drinkoftheday #bourbonlift #eggcream
For some, to Noe this bourbon is to love it. Find For some, to Noe this bourbon is to love it. Find the full review of Basil Hayden bourbon at the link in our bio 

#neatlysipped #bourbon #bourbonwhiskey #whiskey #whiskeyreview #kentucky #kentuckybourbon #drinks #jimbeam
#basilhayden
#bourbonreview #washingtondc #happyhour

Copyright © 2025 Neatly Sipped · Theme by 17th Avenue