James E. Pepper was the third generation to produce 'Old Pepper' whiskey, "The Oldest and Best Brand of Whisky made in Kentucky," founded
in 1780 during the American Revolution. His namesake distillery in Lexington, Kentucky was at one point the largest whiskey distillery in the United States. The Colonel was a staunch advocate for the whiskey business and was instrumental in the implementation of the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897.