Whiskey JYPSI - The Story and The Whiskeys

 

Whiskey JYPSI Bottles

What do you get when you take a top-rated country music superstar, a seasoned businessman and an expert whiskey maker who could rest on his laurels?   It sounds like the start of a funny story that is waiting for a punchline, but it is far from that - very far.  Eric Church (think the incredibly popular song "Springsteen"), businessman and entrepreneur Raj Alva and esteemed whiskey creator Ari Sussman teamed up to create Whiskey JYPSI, a brand that reflects the "gypsy spirit", where everyone has a free-spirited and wild side.  

The brand has set out to disrupt industry norms and to explore unique and unusual ways to source and blend their whiskeys.  Today we are looking at two flagship products from the JYPSI label - Tribute and Explorer.

Whiskey JYPSI Tribute

Tribute is not only a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys that were finished in secondary oak barrels, but it is also a testimony to the quality and attention of what this company is doing.  Ari Sussman's background is as colorful as these expressions.  Sussman has had is hand in nearly everything in the wine and spirits world from winemaking to reviving historic grains to being the master distiller and blender for Three Chord Bourbon.  

This four year expression was born in both Kentucky and Tennessee and was finished an additional 3 to 6 months in secondary oak.  The mash bill is Cherokee White Corn (80%), Rye (10%) and Malted Barley (10%).  Deep golden in the glass with a pleasant but not overpowering nose of baked apple cobbler, caramel and crunch toast points.  

On the palate is a very mouth-coating, almost creamy sensation with apple dumplings, buttered toast, brown sugar and toasted walnuts combining to create a very pleasant and well-rounded tasting experience.  The finish is shorter but flavorful and there's just a small amount of spice with citrus fruit that brings this all together.  The lower proof makes this whiskey extremely sippable and we tasted this one neat.

ABV:  43.0% (86 proof)

Distillery:  JYPSI Spirits, Inc.

Suggested retail price:  $47.99

Drink The Bottles score:  90/100


Whiskey JYPSI Explorer

The six year aged Explorer is the first release in what we can assume will be an ongoing series.  This is made up fo two six-year-old bourbons.  You get a low rye expression that was distilled in Kentucky and and Indiana high rye married together.  The sweet and spiciness of the union results in a dark copper whiskey with homemade caramel candies, stone fruits, tanned leather and grilling spices on the nose.  The palate shows the caramel and stone fruits again, but is joined by toasted oak, vanilla ice cream and old-fashioned rock candy for the sweetness.  

The mash bill is Corn (66%), Rye (30%) and Malted Barley (4%) and the spice makes an strong appearance on a long and lingering finish.  No burn here.  Just tons of flavor.  We have to give a nod to this team on the branding and packaging as well.  Everything about this bottle is beautiful, both inside and out.  This non-distilling producer is really making waves in the industry in just a few short years!

ABV:  51.5% (103 proof)

Distillery:  JYPSI Spirits, Inc.

Suggested retail price:  $72.99

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100









Location: Nashville, TN, USA

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