Review of Whiskey JYPSI Batch 003: The Declaration

There are craft distillers and blenders out there who have truly earned my respect. They aren’t afraid to do something unusual. They take risks. They break the rules.

 

One such gentleman is Ari Sussman. Ari has been involved in several projects that I’ve had the pleasure of tasting. When Eric Church (yes, that Eric Church) wanted to launch a whiskey of his own, he selected Ari to be his whiskeymaker.

 

Church partnered with Raj Alva to form a company called Outsiders Spirits, and its newest release, Whisky JYPSI Legacy Batch 003, is referred to as The Declaration, a blend of whiskeys meant to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

 

The Declaration came into being through a complex process. It starts with the Indiana component, which I assume is from MGP and is a 95/5 Rye that, after maturing, was finished in apple brandy barrels from George Washington’s Mount Vernon Distillery. The Canadian whisky was blended and then re-barrelled in new American oak for two and a half years. The Virginia Distillery Co. likely produces the Virginia single malt.  

 

"Before bourbon there was rye. Rye was the whiskey of revolutionaries, and Maryland Style Rye was what George Washington himself distilled at Mount Vernon. It balanced rye's characteristic spice with the sweetness of corn, and that balance is what we set out to create.” – Ari Sussman

 

The Declaration is available at select package shops or from Outsiders Spirits’ online store. It doesn’t come cheap; prepare to shell out about two Ben Franklins. The question everyone wants answered is whether it's worth the price of admission? Thankfully, this #DrinkCurious opportunity was made possible thanks to Outsiders Spirits in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review.

 

• Whiskey Type: American Whiskey
• Distiller: Undisclosed distilleries from Indiana, Canada, and Virginia
• Age: 8 years
• Mashbill: A blend of 8- to 12-year-old 95/5 Rye (Indiana, 60%),  20- to 25-year-old Canadian corn whiskey (Canada, 30%), and 8-year-old American single malt (Virginia, 10%).
• Cooperage: Rye (53-gallon new, charred oak, then finished in Apple Brandy barrels), Canadian (undisclosed, then re-barrelled in new, American oak for two-and-a-half years), Virginia (undisclosed cooperage).
• Alcohol Content: 57.87% ABV (115.74°)
• Price per 750mL: $199.99

 

Appearance: I used a Glencairn glass to explore The Declaration neat. The whiskey was the color of raw honey, and it formed a microthin rim with a curtain of thick tears.

 

Nose: I allowed The Declaration to rest about 15 minutes before bringing the glass beneath my nostrils. The aroma featured floral notes, accompanied by notes of apples, pears, baked goods, oak, and cinnamon. When I drew the air into my mouth, I encountered roasted almonds.

 

Palate: The Declaration’s texture was thin and silky, and warm apple brandy slammed my palate. With the second sip, I discerned vanilla, dried figs, and apples on the front. My mid-palate was filled with the flavors of freshly baked rye bread, roasted almonds, and oak. I tasted cinnamon, clove, and dark chocolate on the back.

 

Finish: Dried figs, apples, dark chocolate, and rye bread parked in my throat. Cinnamon Red Hots stuck to my tongue and began building until it hit its crescendo at 1:05, and then slowly faded. It disappeared at 1:34, making it a medium to long duration.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Shockingly, the proof on the label seemed overstated. I would have guessed it was closer to 100°; there was enough spice to go around, yet no real alcohol burn. I enjoyed how the apple brandy finish dominated throughout the experience. It was a multilayered and enjoyable sipping session.

 

Considering the component whiskeys, particularly the Canadian one, it is easier to understand why it is an expensive pour. Then there are the various blending and finishing aspects. The Declaration is a delicious whiskey, worthy of a toast to celebrate the founding of our nation. The price tag is, well, pricey.

 

I know that with limited-edition whiskeys, saying what I’m about to is challenging. My recommendation is to try this one first, and its cost of admission is the primary reason. Hence, a Bar rating. Cheers!

 

Courtesy of Outsiders Spirits

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.