Review: Whiskey Jypsi Legacy Batch 002
Drinkhacker celebriwhiskey favorite Jypsi is back with the second edition of its Legacy series, Batch 002. “The Alchemist” is another complicated blend that we’ll allow the brand bosses to describe to you:
“The Alchemist” builds on Batch 001’s award-winning approach of cross-category blending to create reconstructed mash bills, with 3 whiskeys – each over 10 years old – from 3 different countries, and the added element of an inspired triple-barrel finish for the rye. All reconstructed into a 114.3 proof high-rye mash bill, the result is pure alchemy indeed.
“We called Whiskey Jypsi’s Legacy 002 ‘The Alchemist,’ because Alchemists took unexpected elements and tried to change them into gold – turn them into something greater,” says Outsiders Spirits whiskey maker Ari Sussman. “That’s the job of a good whiskey blender. You start with high-quality ingredients and hopefully create something that’s even greater – more than just the components.”
60% of the blend is an 11-year-old corn whiskey from Tennessee aged in re-charred American oak barrels for sweetness. With fewer tannins thanks to the re-charring, this whiskey is smoother and rounder than most from Tennessee.
36% of the blend is a Canadian rye aged in ex-bourbon casks for 18 years. The liquid is then segmented into thirds and finished for 6 months in either Port, Spanish vermouth, or sherry barrels for added layers of dark red fruit, raisins, and oxidized wine. The final product is a rye whose spice is brilliantly countered by deep cherry, prune, and fig notes.
The last 4% of the blend is a rare, 10-year-old 100% Indian single malt matured in India’s high temperatures and humidity. This is some of the finest Indian single malt available, with a Double Gold award at the San Francisco International Spirits Competition of its own to prove it.
Tennesse + Canada + India = ? Let’s find out.
Another big crowd pleaser, this whiskey offers a beautifully soothing nose that immediately evokes butterscotch, followed by milk chocolate and milky coffee. The pop of rye is evident here, building in the glass to provide aromatics that are both herbaceous and peppery, though it’s balanced out by the whiskey’s malty qualities — so while it’s got plenty of spice, the heat is kept in check.
The palate’s warm at 57%+ abv, but not off-putting. The rye spice dominates here, backing up more of that butterscotch punch with notes of cinnamon, dates, and some cayenne. Apple and a little citrus give some length to a body that can be a bit heavy with oak at times, though with time on the tongue the tannic attack works its way toward a distinct dark chocolate character, hinting at sesame . Letting this sit in the glass for a while helps soften the experience, but you can add a little water to hasten the effect. Long, lingering vanilla with an edge of citrus peel winds down the experience. Delightful.
114.3 proof.
A / $200 / whiskeyjypsi.com [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR]
Whiskey Jypsi Legacy Batch 002
$200
