Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Volume 003: “The Declaration”
Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Volume 3: The Declaration. Original Photo Credit: Whiskey JYPSI.
From the brand:
Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Batch No. 003: “The Declaration” commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This release revives and reimagines a Colonial-era Maryland-style rye mash bill — crafted with aged spirits from three distinct origins and finished in barrels that connect directly to George Washington’s historic Mount Vernon Distillery.
The blends from Whiskey JYPSI have consistently been excellent, and this one takes it up another notch.
Aside from the disclaimer below, I’ll add this one as well: Ari Sussman, the blender for these, has been a multi-time guest on the Whiskey Ring Podcast for his work on Rosen Rye, Mammoth Distilling, and Whiskey JYPSI. He’s also likely to come on again soon to talk about Three Chord, another brand for which he is head blender. All this is to say I am a fan of his work, but I tasted this and considered it as I do any other.
For The Declaration, Ari blended three classes in a 60/30/10 blend, another instance in which he’s honored a classic mashbill in proportions if not in components:
American rye from MGP, all 95/5 and between 8-12 years old. At 60% of the blend, this is the flavor driver and backbone. The classic MGP 95/5 at an older age brings more than just spice, with red fruit and mild astringency.
Canadian corn whiskey, aged 20-25 years, re-barreled in new American oak for 2 ½ years. Comprising 30% of the blend, this adds sweetness like a toasted and re-charred cask.
American Single Malt (likely from Virginia Distilling Company). Aged for 8 years, this is the final 10% of the blend. There is a buttery quality here like club crackers on a cheese board. Malty, pale roasted barley is bright and adds a lovely texture that showcases just how far that (likely) distillery has come in the last half-decade.
All this is then finished in apple brandy casks from George Washington’s Mount Vernon Distillery. I’ve had quite a bit of apple brandy in the last year and an equal number of products using apple brandy casks to finish, mostly rye. This was easily the strongest any apple brandy has come through via finishing - it was as if the casks had been wet to the point of adding a few gallons of tart and sweet apple to the blend of whiskies. And I love it.
I plan to ask Ari how the inclusion of Canadian corn whiskey fits with the Declaration of Independence honorific, but that’ll have to wait for now. It’s hardly the most prominent flavor - that without doubt goes to the rye - but it adds a creaminess that’s hard to define, corn pudding-like, or double/triple cream cheese. Paired with the biscuity notes of the American single malt creates a wonderful sense memory of cheese and crackers, red fruits on a picnic in the park on a cool summer day.
The blending, finishing, and ideation of this are all remarkable, and even considering the price point I find it hard to argue against buying a bottle. My only complaint is wanting the finish to be fuller. It doesn’t thin too quickly or fall off a cliff, but given the complexity and fullness of the nose and palate, I expected it to hang around a little longer.
Besides the question noted above, I also want to know how long this has been in the planning. Ari is no stranger to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Distillery and could have access to the apple brandy casks as easily as any of its regulars, but on the other hand, Steve Bashore is no longer at Mount Vernon, so is that access limited? Whiskey JYPSI has been putting out blends for a few years now, but given the finishing and extra aging, this one has to have been at least three years or more in the making. Where did pitfalls occur? Where did they face limitations and bottlenecks? I’m sure incorporating Canadian corn whiskey wasn’t an easy move, so, knowing Ari, why that batch of corn whiskey?
Many questions, all of which are begged by each sip of the glorious blend. If you’re only having one taste, maybe my comment on the finish will enter your consideration. On the other hand, a simple solution would be to simply have another pour - you won’t regret that.
Thank you to Whiskey JYPSI and Baddish Group for supplying this sample for review. All opinions are my own.
Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Volume 3: The Declaration. Original Photo Credit: Whiskey JYPSI.
Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Volume 3: The Declaration: Specs
Classification: Blend of Whiskies
Producer: Whiskey JYPSI
Mash Bill: 60% Rye, 30% Corn, 10% Malted Barley
Proof: 115.74º (57.87% ABV)
Age: Components 8-25 Years Old
Location: United States (Indiana, Virginia) and Canada
Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Volume 3: The Declaration Price: $199.99
Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Volume 3: The Declaration: Tasting Notes
Eye: Dark maple. Thin rims, variegated, falling legs and drops.
Nose: Caramelized stone fruits, sweet red wine. A creamy, buttery note that’s like a double or triple cream cheese (not cheesy - more about the creaminess) paired with baked apples and a beautifully balanced baking spice mix. Mild proof.
Palate: Proof and green apple tartness light up the tongue, followed by moderate clove up the mid-palate and front-half of my tongue. A sweeter, yet peppered, vanilla sweeps the whole palate. The malt goes behind a corn custard and dried stonefruit base. Moderate-bodied, oily and piquant, not overly coating. The dipped shortbread-like texture closes the palate.
Finish: Lingers on the back palate, otherwise a light finish that I wish was a bit stronger despite its length. The apple really surges towards the end, bolstered by spicy rye and biscuity malt.
Overall: The overall blend is so beautiful and delicate despite some heavy-hitting flavors and an equally strong apple brandy finish. The interplay of the malt - at just 10% - with the rest is the most impressive part to me. At this point, I’d trust Ari to blend bath water and make it taste good. Masterful. Only request is to somehow bolster the finish - that would take it above a 9 for me.
Final Rating: 8.5
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary
8 | Excellent | Exceptional
7 | Great | Well above average
6 | Very Good | Better than average
5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary
4 | Has promise but needs work
1-3 | Let’s have a conversation
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