Charles strikes again with a fantastic single-barrel pick from James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky. He took a Rascal + Thorn tour group to Kentucky in November 2025, and they all felt this was the best of the lot. We did a store pick of rye from Pepper about two years ago and it was a crowd favorite; this one doesn’t disappoint either. We hope you can stop in and taste it or take a look at our tasting notes below.
- Bottle Count – 204
- ABV – 54.6% ABV
- Mash bill – 80% corn, 12% barley malt, 8% rye – Distilled at James E. Pepper Distillery
- Barrel #20-497 | Selected by Charles and his Fall 2025 Kentucky Tour Group
- Age – 5 years
Holly’s Tasting Notes: Tons of caramel, toffee, peanut brittle, tobacco, and some dark chocolate-covered cherries. There is also a soft soot, earthiness about it. The palate is a rush of flavor and spice! Cane sugar, cloves, toasted cinnamon, banana nut bread with a long, leather finish.
Charles’ Tasting Notes: The nose has a nice sweetness, barrel proof but soft (no burn), peanuts, toffee. The palate is creamy and full of brown sugar and spice. A long finish of caramel and cinnamon. A great sipper, and drinkable by all.
