Category: Brian’s Whiskey Reviews

James Pepper 1776 Barrel Proof

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s James Pepper 1776 Barrel Proof Review:

reviewed 09-September-2023

JAMES PEPPER 1776 BARREL PROOF BOURBON REVIEW:

James Pepper 1776 Barrel Proof (JP 1776 BP) offers an aroma of dry ethanol intensity which gives way to herbal and subtle fruity notes. The palate mimics what is found on the nose but with subdued sweetness while spice and wood abound. This whiskey shifts from buttery creaminess to grit rather quickly before the medium-long finish of barrel notes, herbal undertones, and warm spice dominate.

JAMES PEPPER 1776 BARREL PROOF VITAL STATS:
James Pepper 1776 Barrel Proof

Category: Barrel Proof Bourbon
Region: Lexington, KY
Distillery: James E Pepper Distilling Co.
DSP #: KY-5
Mash Bill: 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley
Barrel Char: unpublished
Barrel entry proof: unpublished
Age: nas
Filtration: Non-chill-filtered
ABV: 57% (114 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 18988
Paid: $44.95
Unique bottle number identifiers:

Learn more at James E Pepper Distilling Co.

ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:

On Day 9 of the 2023 30 Bourbons in 30 Days Challenge, approximately four ounces from a newly opened bottle went into my Glencairn. After posting on social media and nosing the pour for the review, about 30 minutes had gone by before my first sip.

JAMES PEPPER 1776 BARREL PROOF NOSE:

The aroma of JP 1776 BP begins with dry, ethanol-rich intensity. As I nose, herbal notes reminiscent of green vegetables and roasted corn are accompanied by dusty grain and a faint minty freshness for a surprising twist. I sense hints of berry syrup, while currants, plums, and bitter citrus zest contribute a fruity depth. Then dark raisins and figs intermingle with warming spices of cinnamon, clove, ginger, and a touch of green pepper are accentuated by the character of rye. The aroma further deepens with nuances of burnt sugar, dark molasses, and a subtle walnut bitterness. Additional nosing picks up a distinct wood-forward and earthy profile of dry, heavy old oak, hazy char and musty and pungent potting soil.

JAMES PEPPER 1776 BARREL PROOF PALATE:

The flavors of JP 1776 BP awaken the mouth with a dry, ethanol burn and as I take the next sip, herbal notes mix with dusty grain. In the green vegetables, I detect a hint of overdry and stale currants and figs, tempered by a touch of bitter citrus zest which adds an interesting contrast. The spiciness unfolds with flavors of cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, along characteristic rye. Then, layers of burnt sugar, dark molasses, and subtle hazelnut do their best to counter the wood-forward and earthy profile. However, heavy, old oak, hazy char and pungent, musty potting soil put a mask on most other flavors.

James Pepper 1776 Barrel Proof

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
For me, JP 1776 BP is an unbalanced pour with wood and spice taking dominance over any fruit or sugary sweetness and its aromas and flavors (to me) have not been allowed to bloom. When held in my mouth, it reveals a buttery and creamy texture, but transforms into something rough and gritty upon swallowing. There is a solid inverted crown of clinging droplets creating a nice view. And after each sip, a full sheet of liquid breaks into evenly spaced, long legs, to drain the dregs swiftly back to the russet-colored pool.

JAMES PEPPER 1776 BARREL PROOF FINISH

The medium-long finish of James Pepper 1776 Barrel Proof begins dry and warm and lingers in the throat. The presence of barrel tannins asserts, and is accompanied by an herbal dusty grain aftertaste which lingers. I do sense a subtle array of subdued sweet flavors but bitter citrus and fig provide only a touch of complexity. Traditional cinnamon, clove, black pepper, and rye do add warmth and I detect an undertone of bittersweet dark chocolate with burnt sugar and dark molasses for depth. Hazelnut coffee creamer adds a nice soft butter nuance to the mix. However I struggle with the wood-forward character, as heavy old oak, barrel char and faint musty potting soil overpowers any sweetness which may remain. And when gone, the empty Glencairn smells of faint alcohol and dry old oak.

MY RATING: 80/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? No
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.

Click 80/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click James E Pepper.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
James Pepper 1776 Barrel Proof
James Pepper 1776 Barrel Proof

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Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Review:

reviewed 06-September-2023

BEN HOLLADAY BOTTLED-IN-BOND BOURBON REVIEW:

Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon (Ben Holladay) offers an aroma of dry alcohol with a subtle hint of acetone and spice. The first sip is surprisingly warm, bordering on hot and is bolstered by spicy notes of cinnamon, ginger and rye. There aren’t many fruit or sweet notes, but even though this is fairly wood forward, it has decent balance. The finish is long, dry, and warm and the empty glass retains the memory of what was just enjoyed.

BEN HOLLADAY BOTTLED-IN-BOND VITAL STATS:
Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond

Category: Bottled-in-Bond
Region: Weston, Missouri
Distillery: Holladay Distillery
DSP Number: DSP-KS-5
Distillation Season: Fall 2016
Mash Bill: undisclosed
Barrell: Missouri White Oak
Char level: #3
Barrel Entry Proof: undisclosed
Number of Barrels: 55
27% came from the 2nd floor of 7-story Rickhouse C
55% came from the 3rd floor of 7-story Rickhouse C
18% came from the 5th floor of 7-story Rickhouse C
ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 16254
Fair Price: $70.82 (BoozApp, August 2023)
Paid: $59.95 (Idaho, Spring 2023)
A screw-top on a $60 bottle? Really?

This six-year-old, Bottled-in-Bond, Real Missouri Bourbon is crafted with the same mash bill that was developed by Ben Holladay in 1856. This whiskey represents the perfect union of distilling tradition and modern-day production.

Learn more at Holladay Bourbon.

ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:

Alternating pours to equate about four ounces, were made into two Glencairns. I shared one of the glasses with my daughter, and I let the liquid in my glass rest for about 30 minutes before taking the first sip. These pours were made on Day 6 of the 2023 30 Bourbons in 30 Days Challenge.

BEN HOLLADAY BOTTLED-IN-BOND NOSE:

The aroma of Ben Holladay opens dry, with a fairly strong alcohol presence accompanied by a trace of acetone which contributes a touch of harshness. Then, herbal notes blend an inviting scent of corn, dusty grain, and a subtle sensation of green vegetables. Any fruits are subdued by the alcohol’s aroma, although careful nosing can coax out currants and old raisins along with bitter citrus marmalade. The presence of ginger and cracked green pepper, with a forward rye character, adds a welcome dose of spice. But like the subdued fruit aromas, sugars are scant as well. Just undertones of vanilla taffy and circus peanuts, accompanied by a whisper of simple syrup and faint burnt sugar are all I find. Other than spice, the strongest aromas are of seasoned oak, hazy toasted wood, subtle char, and faint notes of smoke.

BEN HOLLADAY BOTTLED-IN-BOND PALATE:

At the first sip, Ben Holladay ignites the palate with its hot, alcohol-forward introduction. With subsequent sips, herbal notes fade in adding the comforting flavors of corn and dusty grain. As I noted on the nose, the fruit flavors are almost non-existent … I get only a subtle hint of currants with an interesting contrast of acidic marmalade. Spices of cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and characteristic rye add to the kick. Continued tasting brings flavors of nearly burnt sugar and dark molasses, which do soothe my tongue with a pleasing, but dark sweetness. Working through the glass, the flavors deepen as heavy and strong, old oak and hazy, smoky barrel char culminate in distinct earthiness reminiscent of damp soil.

Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
While Ben Holladay is light on the aromas and flavors of fruit and sweet, it is relatively balanced in alcohol, spice and wood as noted in the graph below. It does lean more heavily on the side of oak, but woody notes fit my profile. In my mouth, the bourbon maintains a silken texture, although with a good Kentucky Chew, there is some roughness and grit. In the glass, a thin crown with few droplets hangs between sips. After each sip, a thick sheet of liquid forms then breaks into thick, long, clinging legs fall back to the tawny-colored pool.

BEN HOLLADAY BOTTLED-IN-BOND FINISH

The finish of Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon lingers in the dry warmth of alcohol. Its spirited farewell is accompanied by dark herbal notes of grain, black pepper and rye, followed by an unusual note of dark bittersweet chocolate. There’s more burnt sugar and dark molasses, but they work well with the heavy oak and hazy, smoky barrel char. And as I found on the palate, a distinct earthiness, almost like soil or dirt, adds another layer to the experience. And after the last sip, the empty Glencairn offers an aroma of alcohol-soaked oak planks.

MY RATING: 85/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.

Click 85/100 to access other whiskies with this score.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond
Ben Holladay Bottled-in-Bond

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Coopers’ Craft 100 Proof

Posted on by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Coopers’ Craft 100 Proof Review:

reviewed 07-September-2023

COOPERS CRAFT 100 PROOF BOURBON REVIEW:

Coopers’ Craft 100 Proof (Coopers Craft) offers inviting aromas of barrel tannin, roasted corn, and a delightful blend of fresh apple, dark fruits, cinnamon and nutmeg. These aromas transfer to the taste and are accompanied by warm flavors of brown sugar caramel, dark molasses, and pinenuts. The liquid turns viscous as it is held and its exceptionally long finish includes tannin, dark fruits, and woody caramel. The captivating look is enhanced by carved barrels, adding the richness of well-worn leather. All the while, its lingering scent evokes memories of freshly stacked oak lumber, readied for drying. Coopers’ Craft 100 Proof Bourbon will likely not have that magical WOW factor for everyone, but at under thirty bucks, getting another bottle or two is a no-brainer for me.

COOPERS CRAFT 100 PROOF VITAL STATS:
Coopers Craft 100 Proof

Category: Straight Bourbon
Region: Louisville, KY
Distillery: Brown-Forman
Mash Bill Blend: 72% corn,18% rye and 10% malt and 79% corn, 11% rye and 10% malted barley.
Barrel Char: #4
Barrel entry proof: 125
Age: nas, straight bourbon without an age statement, assumed to be 4+ years old
ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
Fair Price: $43.76 (BoozApp)
Paid $29.80 (Montana, July 2023)

“Coopers’ Craft was created to honor the Brown-Forman barrel makers. Since 1945, we have remained the only major distiller to own a new barrel cooperage and raise our own barrels, allowing us complete control of the bourbon-making process from start to finish. Our master coopers rely on a proprietary toasting and barrel-making process to deliver unique and award-winning bourbons ranging from light and gentle to bold and complex.”

Learn more at Coopers’ Craft.

ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:

On Day 7 of the 2023 30 Bourbons in 30 Days Challenge, I poured approximately four ounces from a freshly opened bottle into Glencairn glass. After uploading pictures and nosing the pour during the review, about 30 minutes had gone by before my first sip.

COOPERS CRAFT 100 PROOF NOSE:

As soon as Coopers’ Craft is opened, an inviting aroma of brown sugar wafts from the bottle. When the glass is raised, the rich essence of barrel tannin greets my nose. Aromas of warm roasted corn gradually transition into fresh apple, dark fruits, and raisins, adding complexity. And traditional spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and white pepper provide a contrast. The undertone of brown sugared, apple-cinnamon pastry offers a hint of sweetness along with a subtle touch of light vanilla. As I breath in, the aroma deepens to dark toasted pecan blended into bro caramel with a touch of dark molasses. There’s dry sawdust to give the pour a textured earthiness, and an essence of old oak. while toasted wood and barrel char which add to the depth and complexity. The nose is somehow comforting, like a well-worn leather armchair in a dimly lit whiskey bar.

COOPERS CRAFT 100 PROOF PALATE:

Coopers’ Craft delivers a palate of delightful heat and deep, dark robust flavors. I sense subtle barrel tannins, the essence of corn and grain, and the tantalizing presence of currants and dark stone fruit. In the sips which follow, additional dark fruits of raisins and prune are accompanied by spices of cinnamon, black pepper, and rye to dance on the tongue. Amidst the flavor symphony, rich vanilla enhances dark chocolate to create a backdrop of sweet and bitter. The flavors continue to deepen with notes of burnt woody caramel, dark molasses, and dark toffee, now with pinenuts, while dry old oak, and smoky barrel char give wood-forward complexity. As I sip, I feel transported to the same aged leather armchair positioned near a freshly watered potted plant, whose earthiness adds a distinctive and memorable touch. For a sub-thirty dollar bourbon, this is stellar.

Coopers Craft 100 Proof

Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
Coopers’ Craft showcases impressive balance in its elements of fruit, spice, sweet and wood. The masterful blend is a compliment to the cooper’s addional barrel work. The initial sip gives an impression of an almost watery lightness, however, as the mouthful lingers, an unexpected transformation occurs; the liquid becomes rough and gritty, particularly on the underside of the tongue. Yet, as I savor slowly, I am rewarded — The bourbon turns quite viscous the longer it is held. After each sip, thin, long legs appear, only to leave an elegant trail behind. In the glass, above the dark terracotta-colored pool, a solid inverted crown with clinging droplets appear, then they too, slowly descend.

COOPERS CRAFT 100 PROOF FINISH

Coopers’ Craft 100 Proof Bourbon offers a dry, throat-warming and impressively long finish. As found on the nose and in the palate, barrel tannins are accompanied corn and grain. The darkness of raisins and prune continue with familiar spices of cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and rye. Woody caramel, dark molasses, and dark toffee add depth to the wood-forward profile continue the established theme complementing the memory of dry old oak and a subtle haze of barrel char while leather notes add a touch of sophistication to the final act. As I savor the last drop, the empty Glencairn glass offers up the bourbon’s essence, carrying the lingering scent of drying racks stacked with new oak lumber.

MY RATING: 87/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.

Click 87/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
To access other reviews from this brand, click Brown-Forman.

WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
Coopers Craft 100 Proof
Coopers Craft 100 Proof

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