Brian’s James E Pepper Single Barrel Rye BWE Private Pick Review:
reviewed 24-May-2022
JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PRIVATE PICK ABSTRACT:
In January 2022, one of the moderators of Boise Whiskey Enthusiasts (BWE) Facebook group (of which I am a member) posted, “It’s a wee bit premature to talk details, but [we] are working on a barrel pick … a James E Pepper Rye … What we need to know is how many people will be interested?“
A month later, Hannah and I were given a two ounce sample, thieved from the barrel the guys were considering. We shared the sample and then prepared a quick appraisal for the group.
One Ounce Sample Review Summary:
Overall, this is a great rye, although just an ounce is hardly enough for a fair assessment. If this sample is representative of what is in the the barrel our group purchases, I am happy to give my recommendation.
Complete sample assessment notes are posted at the end of this review.
JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PRIVATE PICK BOURBON REVIEW:
From the first nosing and sip then on to the finish and empty glass, James E Pepper SiB Rye BWE Pick (JEP SiB Rye BWE Pick) is a fine pour. Its freshness is accompanied by some nice heat and subtle touches of stone fruit, spice, faint sweets and wood. The aromas and flavors are well blended and play well together. I am happy to have backups in the bunker to share with friends and family. Kudos and thank you to the BWE selection team.
JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PRIVATE PICK VITAL STATS:
Category: Single Barrel Straight Rye, Private Select Barrel
Distillery: DSP-IN-15023, Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP’s Consumer Facing Brand)
Bottled: DSP-KY-5, Old Pepper Distillery
Mash Bill: 100% rye (both raw and malted)
Barrels: 18-month air seasoned Kentucky Oak
Barrel Char: #3
Barrel entry proof: unpublished
Age: 4 years
Cask: 1239
Selected by: BWE
ABV: 55% (110 Proof)
NABCA CSC #: 26435
Price: $54.95 (May 2022, Idaho)
Learn more at James E Pepper Distillery and
James E Pepper SiB Barrel Pick pdf.
ENJOYMENT METHOD FOR THE REVIEW:
Alternate pours, from a newly opened bottle, were added into three Glencairns. My daughters and I enjoyed the rye neat for this review.
Check out Hannah’s review of this rye here!
JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PRIVATE PICK NOSE:
The first inhale of JEP SiB Rye BWE Pick brings quite an alcohol nip. Upon acclimation, I sense faint barrel tannins and fresh herbalness. As I continue to nose, I smell tart but subtle apple mixed with currants and an undefined stone fruit. Then the spices … Allspice, ginger, white pepper, and rye, along with yeasty bread notes. While the sweets are few, what is there wafts in as light vanilla, simple syrup, caramel and cashews. And although there is not much wood here, I do get a bit of oak accompanied by faint pine. I like the way this rye smells – fresh and light backed with some nice heat.
JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PRIVATE PICK PALATE:
JEP SiB Rye BWE Pick has a distinct alcohol bite owing to its rye content and relatively high ABV. With each sip, the bite smooths to an easy herbal burn. Only then can I taste dark stone fruit nectar, plum and plump prunes. The dark fruits are complimented by allspice, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and rye. I also taste rich vanilla, caramelized sugar, and dark toffee. As noted on the nose this pour is fresh and light with only scant amounts of seasoned old oak and hazy barrel char.
Balance, Body, Feel and Look:
While JEP SiB Rye BWE Pick gives my tongue a mild tickle it is still viscous and relatively easy to hold. After each sip, the liquid curtain breaks into fast falling legs, transporting the dregs back to the flame colored pool. With a good swirl, a well defined and solid ring forms, then gives up a few clinging drops to make an inverted crown.
JAMES E PEPPER SINGLE BARREL RYE BWE PRIVATE PICK FINISH:
JEP SiB Rye BWE Pick offers a warm bordering on hot medium long herbal finish. As each sip fades away I sense dark stone fruit nectar, allspice, ginger, pepper and rye blended in rich vanilla, caramelized sugar, and dark toffee. There are a few slightly bitter hazelnuts here too, but they’re not off-putting. As noted above, this rye is fresh with only faint notes of seasoned and toasted old oak. And when the final drops are downed, the empty Glencairn smells of simple syrup and dry oak sawdust. This is a solid pour.
MY RATING: 90/100
Will I buy this whiskey again? YES (if I could)
Our JEP SiB Rye BWE Pick follows on last year’s bottling of our Smooth Ambler Old Scout BWE Private Pick. Like I mentioned in its review, this new bottling is only available to BWE members. These are examples of why one should snap up Director’s cuts, Private Barrels, Private Picks, and/or Store Picks whenever they are found.
Click to read Brian’s scoring process.
Click 90/100 to access other whiskies with this score.
WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:
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SAMPLE ASSESSMENT NOTES:
