James E. Pepper is a historic American whiskey brand with roots tracing back to the American Revolution. Named after Colonel James E. Pepper (1834-1906), a flamboyant whiskey magnate and third-generation distiller, the brand originated from a distillery he built and operated in Lexington, Kentucky. The Pepper family began distilling in 1776, making it one of America's oldest whiskey dynasties. Colonel Pepper pioneered branding in the bourbon industry by marketing his whiskey under both the "Old Pepper" family label and his own name. His whiskey was famously served at Louisville's Pendennis Club, where the Old Fashioned cocktail is believed to have been created using Pepper's bourbon. The original distillery closed during Prohibition, but the brand was meticulously revived in the 21st century. Today, James E. Pepper whiskeys are produced in Kentucky, honoring the brand's heritage with traditional recipes and methods, including a range of straight bourbons and ryes that reflect the robust, pre-Prohibition style.