Mike (Scratchline) sent me a sample of James E Pepper from the late 40's or early 50's. I don't have a lot of bottle information other than he said it was distilled at DSP5 in Lexington. He told me more but it was while I was at the Bourbon's Bistro and I did not write it down, so I hope he will fill in some of the blanks here. In the meantime, I will do a review here of this whiskey.
Tasted in a Glencairn glass.
Color: Light orange but with good legs.
Nose: Sweet corn and spice - nutmeg and vanilla. Not much wood but a little fine tobacco.
Taste: Lots of corn sweetness with vanilla and pear fruit. A little fine leather as it heads toward the finish. There is no burn to this bourbon and it has a nice thick mouth feel. Nothing overly complex, but definite verything there is good.
Finish: This whiskey has a very good finish with the sweetness being balanced by some oak tannins naking the experience long and pleasant. Lots of vanilla and nutmeg on the finish with just a hint of that very ripe pear fruit.
I think the reason I like the older bourbons from this era is that the finish is so good. They finish in a way that makes me want to sit there and enjoy and maybe compliment it with a puff or two on the pipe.