Arkansas Barrel Heads and Purspirit Release James E. Pepper “Butterscotch Bomb” Decanter Pick

Last Updated on June 4, 2026 by Justin Jones

PUBLISHED: 06/04/2026

Arkansas Barrel Heads and Purspirit are bringing a limited James E. Pepper Decanter pick to Arkansas, giving local whiskey drinkers a new release tied directly to an Arkansas selection group and one of the state’s most active bourbon retail partners.

The release was announced by Abe Wyly in the Arkansas Barrel Heads group, where he described the bottle as a “first in Arkansas” release and called it a “butterscotch bomb.”

Picked by Kyle and the Arkansas Barrel Heads team, the James Pepper Decanter pick comes in at 109.6 proof and is listed at 5.5 years old. Only 170 bottles were made available to the group, with an ABH price of $59.49 before tax, or $67.07 out the door.

The initial limit is two bottles per person for the first 24 hours. According to the announcement, local Northwest Arkansas pickup begins June 8, 2026, with Central Arkansas pickup beginning June 12, 2026.

Release Details

• Bottle: James Pepper Decanter
• Selection: Arkansas Barrel Heads / Purspirit pick
• Proof: 109.6
• Age: 5.5 years
• Available bottles: 170
• Price: $59.49 before tax / $67.07 out the door
• Initial limit: Two per person for the first 24 hours
• NWA pickup: Starting June 8, 2026
• Central Arkansas pickup: Starting June 12, 2026

For Arkansas bourbon fans, the appeal here is not just the proof or the bottle count. It is the combination of a revived historic Kentucky whiskey name, a distinctive Decanter presentation, and a local Arkansas selection tied to Arkansas Barrel Heads and Purspirit.

Why the James E. Pepper Name Matters

James E. Pepper is one of those names that carries more history than many casual bourbon drinkers may realize.

Colonel James E. Pepper was a Kentucky bourbon figure from the late 1800s and early 1900s, known for promoting his family’s “Old Pepper” whiskey and the “Old 1776” brand. The Pepper family whiskey story reaches back to early Kentucky bourbon history, and the modern James E. Pepper brand leans heavily into that legacy.

The current James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky, is a revival of a historic distillery that had been abandoned for decades. The brand was relaunched in 2008 by Amir Peay, and after a major restoration effort, distilling resumed at the Lexington site in December 2017.

That background gives this release more weight than a normal shelf drop. It is not simply a modern brand with an old-looking label. It is a whiskey brand built around a restored Kentucky distilling site, a deep historical archive, and a deliberate effort to reconnect modern drinkers with the Pepper name.

The Decanter Bottle Adds to the Story

The Decanter bottle is also part of what makes this pick stand out.

James E. Pepper uses the Decanter format as a more distinctive presentation than its standard bottle lineup. It gives the release a vintage-style look that fits the brand’s historic identity and makes the bottle feel more collectible on the shelf.

For a local pick, that matters. Arkansas groups and stores have seen plenty of private selections over the past few years, but a Decanter-format James E. Pepper pick gives this release a different visual identity. It is the kind of bottle that will stand out in a home bar even before anyone opens it.

A Barrel-Proof Bourbon With a Sweet Hook

At 109.6 proof, this release lands in a strong but approachable barrel-proof range. That proof point should give the bourbon enough structure to carry concentrated flavor without pushing into the more aggressive proof levels that some drinkers avoid.

The group’s own description gives the bottle its clearest hook: “butterscotch bomb.”

That is the phrase that will likely follow this bottle around Arkansas bourbon circles. Butterscotch notes can point toward a sweeter profile, often bringing together impressions of caramelized sugar, vanilla, creaminess, toasted oak, and soft baking spice. Without tasting it directly, the safest way to frame this is exactly how it was presented by the group: a bottle described by Arkansas Barrel Heads as a “butterscotch bomb.”

For buyers who enjoy sweeter bourbon profiles, that description will probably be enough to create interest.

Why This Release Matters in Arkansas

The Arkansas whiskey scene continues to become more organized, more connected, and more selection-driven. Groups such as Arkansas Barrel Heads have helped bring more attention to private picks, store collaborations, and limited releases that may otherwise fly under the radar.

This James E. Pepper Decanter pick fits that pattern. It is limited, locally organized, and tied to a specific Arkansas whiskey community. With only 170 bottles available, it is unlikely to sit around long if demand follows the pattern of other recent group picks.

It also gives Arkansas drinkers another example of how local groups and retailers can bring in bottles with more personality than a standard shelf release. The release is not just about owning a James E. Pepper bottle. It is about owning this Arkansas-selected James E. Pepper Decanter pick, chosen by the Arkansas Barrel Heads team and released through Purspirit.

For collectors, the Decanter bottle adds shelf appeal. For drinkers, the 109.6 proof and “butterscotch bomb” description provide the flavor hook. For Arkansas bourbon followers, the local connection may be the biggest reason to pay attention.

Final Pour

The Arkansas Barrel Heads and Purspirit James E. Pepper “Butterscotch Bomb” Decanter pick checks several boxes at once: limited bottle count, approachable barrel-proof strength, a historic Kentucky brand, a distinctive bottle, and a direct Arkansas connection.

At 170 bottles, this is a small release. With Northwest Arkansas pickup beginning June 8 and Central Arkansas pickup beginning June 12, Arkansas whiskey fans interested in the bottle will want to follow the group’s instructions closely and move quickly if bottles remain available.

For a state that continues to build a stronger private-pick culture, this James E. Pepper Decanter selection is another sign that Arkansas bourbon groups are not just participating in the broader whiskey market. They are helping shape what lands here.

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