{"product_id":"james-e-pepper-decanter-barrel-proof-rye","title":"James E. Pepper Decanter Barrel Proof Rye","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames E. Pepper Decanter Barrel Proof Rye is a Spring 2026 limited release bottled at full barrel strength — a 100% rye whiskey aged 6.3 to 8 years at the historic James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky, hand-bottled uncut and unfiltered at 115.6 proof.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eJames E. Pepper Distillery (DSP-KY-5) is one of the most historically significant distillery sites in American whiskey — founded in 1780, home to the Pepper family whose master distiller James Crow developed the sour mash process, and fully revived in Lexington as a working craft distillery. The Decanter series represents the pinnacle of the James E. Pepper lineup: small-batch barrel selections bottled without dilution or filtration, in a hand-crafted decanter format.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe Spring 2026 release draws from a small selection of 100% rye barrels aged between 6.3 and 8 years — old enough to have developed deep oak integration and rounded complexity, young enough to retain the bold, peppery energy of a high-rye expression. At 115.6 proof, the whiskey delivers the full barrel character: concentrated spice, dark fruit, and a long, warming finish that rye enthusiasts specifically seek out in barrel-proof releases. A few drops of water open the profile considerably.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eNose: Intense rye spice, dark cherry, cracked black pepper, and toasted oak — the full barrel concentration at 115.6 proof. Palate: Bold and mouth-coating — peppery rye spice, dark fruit, caramel, and deep oak with the richness of 6+ years of aging. Finish: Long and warming with pepper and oak persisting. Best served neat or with a few drops of water to open the full profile.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cp\u003eDistillery: James E. Pepper Distillery, Lexington, Kentucky (DSP-KY-5). Mashbill: 100% rye. Style: Straight Rye Whiskey. Bottling: Uncut, unfiltered, barrel proof. Proof: 115.6 (57.8% ABV). Age: 6.3–8 years. Release: Spring 2026 Limited Release. Format: Hand-crafted decanter. Size: 750ml.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eBrowse the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rye\"\u003erye whiskey collection\u003c\/a\u003e at Wooden Cork, including Old Pepper Bottled in Bond Rye and other James E. Pepper expressions.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e  \u003ch4\u003eWhat is James E. Pepper Decanter Barrel Proof Rye?\u003c\/h4\u003e \u003cp\u003eA Spring 2026 limited release from James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky — 100% rye, aged 6.3 to 8 years, bottled uncut and unfiltered at natural barrel proof (115.6 proof \/ 57.8% ABV) in a hand-crafted decanter. One of the most intense and concentrated expressions in the James E. Pepper lineup.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch4\u003eWhat proof is the Decanter Barrel Proof Rye?\u003c\/h4\u003e \u003cp\u003e115.6 proof (57.8% ABV) — bottled at the natural barrel proof without any water addition or chill filtration. The specific proof reflects the concentration of the barrels selected for this Spring 2026 release. A few drops of water will open the nose and palate considerably if the full proof is intense on first sip.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch4\u003eHow does the Decanter Barrel Proof Rye differ from Old Pepper Bottled in Bond Rye?\u003c\/h4\u003e \u003cp\u003eBoth are 100% rye whiskeys from James E. Pepper Distillery. The Bottled in Bond Rye is aged a minimum of 4 years and bottled at exactly 100 proof — the entry expression of the lineup. The Decanter Barrel Proof is aged 6.3 to 8 years and bottled at full barrel strength (115.6 proof), uncut and unfiltered — significantly more concentrated and complex, in a premium decanter format.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch4\u003eIs the Spring 2026 release still available?\u003c\/h4\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes — limited quantities available at Wooden Cork. Barrel proof limited releases from James E. Pepper sell quickly given the small batch size. Order online with fast nationwide shipping.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e {   \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",   \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",   \"mainEntity\": [     {\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is James E. Pepper Decanter Barrel Proof Rye?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A Spring 2026 limited release from James E. Pepper Distillery — 100% rye, aged 6.3 to 8 years, uncut and unfiltered at 115.6 proof in a hand-crafted decanter.\"}},     {\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What proof is the Decanter Barrel Proof Rye?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"115.6 proof (57.8% ABV) — natural barrel proof, uncut and unfiltered. A few drops of water will open the nose and palate considerably.\"}},     {\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How does the Decanter Barrel Proof Rye differ from Old Pepper Bottled in Bond Rye?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Both are 100% rye from James E. Pepper. The Bottled in Bond Rye is 4+ years, 100 proof — the entry expression. The Decanter is 6.3–8 years, 115.6 proof, uncut and unfiltered in a premium decanter format.\"}},     {\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is the Spring 2026 release still available?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes — limited quantities available at Wooden Cork. Order online with fast nationwide shipping.\"}}   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"James E. Pepper","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49122819440892,"sku":"860009837744","price":94.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/6605\/2348\/files\/JamesE.PepperDecanterBarrelProofRye.jpg?v=1779536861","url":"https:\/\/thebourbonvaulthq.com\/products\/james-e-pepper-decanter-barrel-proof-rye","provider":"THE BOURBONVAULT HQ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}