James E. Pepper Straight Rye Whiskey Barrel Proof

The ‘Old Pepper’ label was proudly produced by Colonel James E. Pepper during his lifetime and marketed as ‘The Oldest and Best Brand of Whiskey made in Kentucky.’ Through Col. Pepper’s advocacy on behalf of the bourbon industry, it was the first label in Kentucky to be bottled at the distillery, and his invention of the ‘signature strip stamp’ was later incorporated into the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, assuring consumers of the quality of the whiskey in the bottle. Our label today incorporates historic fonts and designs from the 1880s through the turn of the century, including the signature strip label—once again giving consumers valuable information about where and when the whiskey was made and bottled.