Other Whisk(e)ys

Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Batch 001 The Journey
Blend of 3 Aged Whiskies

57.5% ABV
$200
Website

We would like to thank Whiskey JYPSI and CHQ Media for sending us samples to review.

What the Producer Says

STORY OF INNOVATION
Categorizing whiskeys by “mash bill” has become a short-hand way of indicating the style and character of the finished liquid inside the bottle. Whiskey JYPSI’s Legacy took that shorthand and replaced the weight of each grain in the recipe with the percentage of individual fine-aged spirits in our blends. A deconstructed mash bill, if you will, using some of the finest spirits available anywhere as the components of our whiskey. Regardless of geography, boundaries or borders.

Instead of blending the grains before fermentation, Whiskey JYPSI lived up to its name – sourcing individual aged whiskey components from various origins, and ultimately blending them to recreate our version of the mash bill.

We began by selecting only the highest quality, fully aged mature spirits that beautifully expressed the individual primary grains in that mash bill. Truly, each component in the blend would be an outstanding product by itself. Then we developed multiple prototypes, using combinations of these fine spirits of various ages and cooperage as our inputs. Blending three distinct spirits, each at different stages of development, created unexpectedly rich layers of aroma and flavor – and deep wood character – not generally found in spirits.

After more than two years of development, experimentation and tasting exercises with experienced whiskey tasters, reviewers and advisors, the company’s first product was born.

Introducing Legacy Batch 001, named “The Journey.” Because literally and figuratively, it has been one. And the result is a whiskey unlike any other. Smooth, complex and unconventional. A remarkably crafted blend of three fine aged whiskeys.

70% Indiana bourbon made from 99% corn and 1% malted barley. Distilled in Indiana, and aged 7 and 8 years for a smooth corn character, this bourbon component retains its rich and sweet corn character, with structure and depth from the cask.

21% Canadian rye made from 91% rye and 9% malted barley. Distilled in Alberta, Canada, and aged 20 years, this is a highly esterified and perfumed rye whiskey with pronounced butterscotch, spice and finesse that comes from spending the last two decades in barrels.

The last 9% of this remarkable blend is 100% malted barley from Indiana. Aged four years, this malt-forward American Single Malt has a beautiful balance of rich, nutty malt character – and strong vanilla, smoke and caramel notes borrowed from its new American oak casks.

And we called it Whiskey JYPSI to celebrate those who think differently, reinvent the rules, and seek greater adventure and purpose in life. Those who live life with a “JYPSI Spirit.” Like the remarkable team who’ve given birth to this remarkable liquid.

What Gary Says

Nose: Corn bread, fruity with apples and pears, caramel, baking spices, malt and soft oak.
Palate: Thick and chewy mouthfeel, caramel, peanut butter, milk chocolate, mint, but of cinnamon and pepper.
Finish: Long and syrupy with caramel, chili spice and honey.
Comments: I absolutely love the thick, viscous, chewy mouthfeel on this whiskey. The nose is nice, but the palate was an intense surprise. This is one of those drams that improves given some time in the glass. The bottle is a cool package if you are into that sorta thing, with a solid/heavy topper. A bit of water brings out some citrus notes, and doesn’t thin down the mouthfeel. If this was priced closer to half the SRP, this would be a solid Must Try and borderline Must Buy.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

Macaloney’s The Peat Project Series: Single Cask European Moscatel Barrique 
Canadian Island Peated (54 ppm) Single Malt Whisky

46% ABV
$? (maybe $135?)
Website

We would like to thank Macaloney’s Island Distillery for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Distillery smoked using Washington Peat and carefully crafted in a premium European Moscatel Barrique

This sweet white wine Euuropean oak barrique explores peat ‘terroir’ from Washington State (Canadian and Islay peat coming soon). The nose has medium peat smoke, bonfire, cigar, vanilla, white wine with apricot, lychee, melon, fresh ginger, coconut, sweet peas, roses, and honey. Juniper and pine forest yield to white chocolate, walnut, and peat smoke. The palate is velvety, with big peat, sweet burnt heather, seashort, malt extract, pineapple, sultanas, pears, figs, stewed apples, chocolate orange, and Key lime banana pie, with cloves, white pepper, liquorice, marzipan and hazelnut. The finish is dry with a hint of salt and lingering smoke.

Natural Colour & Non-Chill Filtered

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, exotic fruit notes, peat smoke, floral, honey, smoked meat with a hint of spices.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, fruity with pears, apples, and tropical fruit (not quite pineapple), peat, chocolate, sea salt and cracked pepper.
Finish:  Moderately long and drying with peat smoke, salt and kiwi.
Comments:  This is really nice – and was my favorite of the 5-sample pack sent! Less of the peat and minerality than the others, and the nose on this is rather complex. With a bit of water, it thickens nicely and opens up. My only complaint is that there’s no mention of this on their website! My guess is word got out and they had limited inventory (while a ‘single cask’, I hope they didn’t just have ONE single cask, but who knows). I’m making the leap that the price would be in line with the others, which is still on the high end.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try