Looking for info on James E Pepper Join, Or Die Bourbon

[dcam1075]

My question around the JE Pepper Join, Or Die started when I went to pick up a bottle of their 1776. I went to a local wine shop that also has some more eclectic bourbons to pick it up and when I pulled it off the shelf the first bottle had a ripped label so I pulled the bottle behind it to get one in better shape, when I pulled that one off the shelf it exposed a 3rd bottle that looked the same but had a different label, see below. I have not been able to find much information about this one online and it has a very unique taste. I did contact the distiller and they did provide some information and said it was a very small release. Has anyone else come across this, if so what are your thoughts?

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[smknjoe]

It's just a cheaper version of their 15yr. Both versions are sourced from other distilleries. Nothing special about it unless it's special to you.

[dcam1075]

So below is what I got back from the manufacturer.

Hi David,

Thanks for the email and interest in our whiskies. *Are you referring to our bourbon with the "Join, or Die" flag across the front label? *If so, that was a very limited and rare production of craft expression (pot distilled and aged in KY) of our James E. Pepper whiskey brand (www.JamesEPepper.com). *That whiskey is no longer in production and most bottles have long been drunk! *So a nice find indeed. *It was actually aged about 6 months in 5 gallon barrels. Mash bill had a high amount of corn - about 80% and the rest was rye and malted barley. *distilled in a 50 gallon, antique copper pot still. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Cheers,

Amir Peay

Georgetown Trading Co.

www.GeorgetownTrading.com*

[smknjoe]

They are a Non Distiller Producer (NDP.) They didn't make it, they bought bulk whiskey from another distiller and just bottled it , or more likely had someone else bottle it for them, and the rest is fluff - copper pot still my ass.

Ask them who distilled it and see how they respond.

[dcam1075]

I was a little skeptical, when I opened it and tasted it my first thought was small, home batch bourbon. I wonder if this was them actually trying their hand at distilling a small run to see how it would turn out. It is definitely a unique taste.

[PaulO]

I believe James E. Pepper rye is from Lawrenceburg, IN. Maybe their bourbon is too, but I'm not sure. Does it list the state where it was distilled on the label?

[smknjoe]

If they actually distilled it then they should have no trouble giving you their DSP # and address of their distillery, etc.

[dcam1075]

Perhaps I inquire further! ;-)

[smknjoe]

Tell them you want to drop by for a tour...you know...to see that cool cooper still and the ricks filled with 5 gallon barrels.

[TunnelTiger]

Haven't seen or tried their bourbon but their rye is excellent and I don't care who distilled or bottled it. It's just that good.

[dcam1075]

Haven't seen or tried their bourbon but their rye is excellent and I don't care who distilled or bottled it. It's just that good.

This bottle I found is definitely interesting, it is the first Bourbon that has truly confounded me. The jury is still out, I need to have a few more drams but at the very least it is a unique taste profile. That is why I was hoping someone else had tried it and had some input or insight!

[JonRob]

Haven't seen or tried their bourbon but their rye is excellent and I don't care who distilled or bottled it. It's just that good.

I love their rye as well. 100 proof rye for around $25 is what got me to buy it. It's young but has lots of flavors that stand tall in cocktails.

[mbroo5880i]

The label says it is pot stilled. Does LDI have a pot still? Just asking. I agree JEP is NDP, which is fine, as long as they are clear about where it is distilled or, at least, clear about the fact that they didn't distill it. There is nothing wrong with sourced whiskey provided the price is fair for what it is and the product isn't misrepresented.

[dcam1075]

They are describing it as a "Craft Expression", distilled in a small pot still. Sounds like less than 250 bottles total.

[flahute]

I have a bottle of the 1776 bourbon standard release at 100 proof. As Joe said, it's nothing special. On the label it says bottled in Bardstown, distilled in Indiana. It's a 38% rye recipe.

[smknjoe]

They are describing it as a "Craft Expression", distilled in a small pot still. Sounds like less than 250 bottles total.

Here is the guy you spoke with talking about bringing the brand back just 5 years ago. He was actively seeking a distiller in Kentucky to buy bulk whiskey from so he could (re)start the JEP brand.

http://www.straightbourbon.com/forums/showthread.php?12570-Relaunch-of-James-E-Pepper-Bourbon&p=174610&viewfull=1#post174610

Edited June 13, 2014 by smknjoe

[smknjoe]

They are a Non Distiller Producer (NDP.) They didn't make it, they bought bulk whiskey from another distiller and just bottled it , or more likely had someone else bottle it for them, and the rest is fluff - copper pot still my ass.

Ask them who distilled it and see how they respond.

I was a little skeptical, when I opened it and tasted it my first thought was small, home batch bourbon. I wonder if this was them actually trying their hand at distilling a small run to see how it would turn out. It is definitely a unique taste.

Unless this is where they are getting their whiskey from: http://barrelhousedistillery.com/bourbon/

And they say on the site that their bourbon won't be ready until sometime in 2014. Straight bourbon has to be a minimum of 2yr and have an age statement if under 4yr. So...

Edited June 13, 2014 by smknjoe

[tanstaafl2]

Unless this is where they are getting their whiskey from: http://barrelhousedistillery.com/bourbon/

And they say on the site that their bourbon won't be ready until sometime in 2014. Straight bourbon has to be a minimum of 2yr and have an age statement if under 4yr. So...

And fortunately the TTB is there to make sure everything on the label is accurate and conforms to the requirements already on the books so the info on the label is completely trustworthy!

:skep:

[amir]

Hello - to clarify, this release was distilled for us by Corsair Artisan distillery in their copper pot still using the original JEP grain bill. We do our best to be very up front about how we make our whiskey and happily answer most questions emailed to us.

They are a Non Distiller Producer (NDP.) They didn't make it, they bought bulk whiskey from another distiller and just bottled it , or more likely had someone else bottle it for them, and the rest is fluff - copper pot still my ass.

Ask them who distilled it and see how they respond.

[dcam1075]

Hello - to clarify, this release was distilled for us by Corsair Artisan distillery in their copper pot still using the original JEP grain bill. We do our best to be very up front about how we make our whiskey and happily answer most questions emailed to us.

That makes sense! Either way it is very interesting and I was curious if anyone else here has had a chance to try it?

[smknjoe]

Thanks for the clarification, Amir. It is appreciated. While you're here...how old is the whiskey in that release? Do you mind letting us know what the mashbill is?

[amir]

No problem - if you refer to my email reply to the original poster (that was posted in this forum) you will see the answers to your questions.

[smknjoe]

So, 80% corn, 15% rye, and 5% malted barley? And it's about 6 months old.

[tanstaafl2]

No problem - if you refer to my email reply to the original poster (that was posted in this forum) you will see the answers to your questions.

If it is Corsair I would guess it is also probably aged in small barrels as they do with most all of their spirits (looking back I see the report from Amir notes 5 gallon barrels). It is a pretty small still so I would think there is only a fairly limited amount of this. Also interesting as I don't think Corsair has ever put out a bourbon under their own label other than the super multi grain "Grainiac" and "Insane in the Grain" which both have a lot of different grains thrown in the mix (I wonder if those are in fact distilled from a mashbill of all those different grains or if it is a blend of some of their past whiskeys given the earlier dust up about the definition of bourbon for the 4 Kings bottling).

It does appear they are going to be producing one called Nashville that is billed as a cherry smoked bourbon. Hmm...

Edited June 19, 2014 by tanstaafl2

[dcam1075]

Once again I am fairly new to bourbon after spending most my adult life imbibing in Scotch, but when I came across this I knew it was something unique almost immediately. Very unique flavor profile, tastes very young but also very complex and dynamic.