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Whiskey Review: Old Pepper Finest Kentucky Oak Rye

We review Old Pepper Finest Kentucky Oak Rye, which undergoes a secondary maturation for an undisclosed length of time in new barrels made from Kentucky oak.

OVERALL RATING

8
$72.00
  • Kenji Mizumori, bourbon aficionado & bartender.
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Tasting Notes

About:

116 proof, 58% ABV, sourced from MGP. 90% rye plus malted barley and possibly corn. Aged at least two years. ~ $72 per 750ml bottle.
Appearance:
Light honey, khaki.
Nose:
Heat up front, rye spice, and fruit. The fruit element is fairly complex, and is somewhere between candied orange and roasted peach. Perhaps a bit tough to imagine, but there it is.
Palate:
The signature James Pepper Rye spice, followed by orange marmalade and graham cracker. The whiskey has a medium body with a pleasant and lingering finish.
Finish:
Comments:
I call this a win. The classic James E. Pepper flavors amplified by a slightly higher proof and secondary aging. It’s great neat or with a couple of ice cubes. Also, as a bigger whiskey, would definitely play nice in cocktails. The Old Pepper is significantly more expensive than their standard rye, but certainly worthy as a treat to yourself or as a gift to a whiskey fan.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Kenji Mizumori

Kenji Mizumori, a seasoned bartender at the Pope House Bourbon Lounge in Portland, Oregon, has been a devoted bourbon enthusiast for decades. He has a particular fondness for bold, high-proof whiskeys, favoring those that exceed 100 proof.

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