The third limited-edition of the Legacy Series, the expression is based on a reconstructed Maryland-style rye mash bill. The blend of 60% Rye (a blend of 8- to 12-year-old 95/5 rye sourced from Indiana),  30% Corn (20- to 25-year-old Canadian corn whiskey) and 10% Malt (an 8-year-old American single malt from Virginia)  is a sophisticated, modern reimagining of that mash bill, blending rare and aged stocks of whiskeys. The result is a 115.7 proof spirit.

“Before bourbon there was rye,” says Whiskey JYPSI Whiskey Maker Ari Sussman. “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.”

“When Eric and I started JYPSI, we said we would have no rules other than producing the best products we could regardless of complexity or cost,” adds Whiskey JYPSI Co-Founder Raj Alva. Sourcing from one of the oldest and most historic distilleries in America to produce “The Declaration” is a perfect example of that spirit.”

Whisky JYPSI Legacy Batch 003: The Declaration is available for $199.99.

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It’s fourth release to date, Tribute is an 86 proof straight bourbon whiskey aged a minimum of 4 years and double-barreled in new American Oak. Once the mash is distilled and aged at least four years in charred new American Oak barrels, Tribute was then proofed down and re-barreled for an additional 3 to 6 months in new American Oak.

“This is a whiskey with a price point and a flavor profile everybody can enjoy, but with the same high-quality approach we’ve taken with our other whiskeys. And that’s what we were looking for with Tribute,” says co-founder and music artist, Eric Church. “With Tribute, we’re also honoring and working with small communities and local farmers to make this whiskey… I’m from Appalachia, so I love the small-town and artisanal element. And it’s those points of differentiation that, to me, make a major difference with people who drink whiskey.”

What also makes the blend unique is the source of the grains. Whiskey JYPSI whiskey maker Ari Sussman said, “Instead of using commodity grains from large commercial farming operations for efficiency, the company contracted with small family farms willing to grow more flavorful, varietal-stated grains specifically intended for making whiskey. These sustainably raised grains for Tribute include a variety of the once-sacred Cherokee White Corn.”

Whiskey JYPSI Tribute Double Barreled Bourbon is available now for $44.99.

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The Alchemist builds on Batch 001’s 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 a triple-barrel finish for the rye. All reconstructed into a 114.3 proof high-rye mash bill.

60% of the blend is an 11-year-old corn whiskey from Tennessee aged in re-charred American oak barrels. 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. The last 4% of the blend is a rare, 10-year-old 100% Indian single malt matured in the country’s high temperatures and humidity.

“When I write a song or put a band together, a lot of times you think – do all these things really work together? And you don’t really know until you get on stage,”said Outsiders Spirits Founder Eric Church. “The same is true with making whiskey. You have ideas, but don’t know until you try them. But we’ve found out…the more fearless we are, the better our whiskey is. ‘The Alchemist’ is the perfect representation of that fearless spirit, and I’m really proud of where we’ve landed.”

“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,” added 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.”

Whiskey JYPSI’s Legacy Batch 002: The Alchemist is available for a limited release both online and at  and in select liquor stores across Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida for $199.99.

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For its encore, Whiskey JYPSI is introducing its Explorer Series. It begins with a 103-proof, 6-year-old straight bourbon and a mash bill of 65% corn, 30% rye, and 4% malted barley, distilled in Kentucky and Tennessee. Using French Oak from the Forest of Tronçais for its spiciness and leather notes, and White Oak from Appalachia for added sweetness, richness, and viscosity, this is the first finished expression from the brand.

In honor of its release, we chatted with Whiskey JYPSI Master Blender Ari Sussman about making the move from wine to whiskey, working on a celebrity brand and what’s next.

The Whiskey Lifestyle: You started your spirits career in wine, what brought you to whiskey?

Ari Sussman: I began my journey in the spirits world by working as a field laborer before moving into the winery and brandy distillery. During the off-season, I worked in bars to expand my knowledge of both wine and spirits. It struck me that many casual wine drinkers seemed to have a deeper understanding of wine compared to whiskey enthusiasts and that American whiskey appeared somewhat limited in its variety compared to other whiskey-producing regions like Scotland and Ireland. This got me thinking about the potential for innovation and creativity in the whiskey world. At the same time, craft spirits were beginning to explore full-flavored and heirloom grains, the impact of soil and climate, non-standard yeast and bacterial fermentations, cross-disciplinary blending approaches, cask finishing, and other methods of creating new directions in American whiskey.

TWLS: How did your experience in wine influence how you make whiskey?

AS: I’ve gathered insights from various corners of the industry, including winemakers, sommeliers, and bartenders. Winemakers showed me the importance of rigor, scientific precision, a touch of tradition, collaboration, and vigilance. For example, they demonstrated how seemingly minor decisions can unexpectedly affect the final product.

From bartenders, I learned about the power of storytelling and how narrative can influence our perception of a drink, shaping our memories and experiences with it. And sommeliers reminded me that while aesthetic preferences can play a valuable role in business, nothing beats the joy of sharing a bottle of wine with fellow workers after a long harvest.

When it comes to producing whiskey, there are essentially two key stages: distillation and blending. Distillation involves decisions such as selecting grains, yeast, fermentation conditions, and equipment. Blending, on the other hand, encompasses a wide range of choices from barrel types, anticipated time in barrel, product roadmaps, maturation conditions, the creation of accords, resting spirits, prototyping, tasting panels, etc. These two aspects of whiskey making require distinct skill sets, and so we strive to collaborate with experts across the industry, including importers, coopers, scientists and tasters.

TWLS: How did you come to work on JYPSI?

AS: I received a call from a connection about a new American whiskey brand in search of a whiskey maker. I usually act as a connector – matching new companies with talented whiskey makers looking for new opportunities. As the discussions unfolded, it became evident that founders Raj Alva and Eric Church were genuinely passionate about innovation, collaboration, breaking boundaries, and crafting exceptional whiskey – a refreshing rarity in the industry – and I wanted to be a part of it.

TWLS: What was your goal re: Legacy Batch 001?

AS: Legacy 001 introduced our first cross-category whiskey blend. It featured a combination of a 99% corn bourbon, 20-year-old Canadian rye, and an American single malt, blended in the proportions of a classic 70% corn, 21% rye, 9% malt bourbon mash bill. Our goal was to use high-quality ingredients that harmonize seamlessly and to develop an approach to blending that is both delicious and thoughtful.

TWLS: Celebrity brands often get a bad rap. Did you have any hesitation in signing on to the project?

AS: Most celebrity brands are not very good. Generally, seeing a celebrity’s signature on a bottle raises a red flag. Typical celebrity brands usually involve an existing company seeking to expand its market with an endorsement, resulting in predictable branding, marketing and liquid. Outsider Spirits, however, breaks this mold entirely. Eric and Raj built this company with their hands from the ground up. They assembled a dedicated team, acquired premium whiskey stocks, secured new fill contracts, and more. Their genuine passion for whiskey, whiskey culture, and the business shines through. As active co-founders, they steer the company and are involved in every crucial decision. Also, Eric’s signature doesn’t appear on the bottle.

TWLS: What’s next for JYPSI?

AS: We’re constantly growing our collection of rare whiskey stocks sourced globally for future blends. At the same time, we’re introducing limited edition releases that highlight our experiments with wood and whiskey, delving into the agricultural and cultural aspects of the regions and woods involved. It’s an exciting moment for us!

Whiskey JYPSI’s Explorer Bourbon is available now for $69.95.

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The first release, Whiskey JYPSI’s Legacy Batch 001, is based on a traditional bourbon mash bill. However, instead of blending the grains before fermentation, or sourcing from the usual geographies, Whiskey JYPSI lived up to its name – sourcing individual aged whiskey components from various origins, then scientifically blending them to recreate the mash bill.

Outsiders partners took a hands-on approach to every aspect of their new whiskey, creating and curating everything from inception to release – from taste, packaging and marketing to point of view.

“Whiskey JYPSI celebrates doing things the unconventional way. It’s the commitment to the creative spirit, the process and the journey that excite me the most” said Eric Church. “It’s meant to inspire others to take chances like we have – follow a different path and enjoy and experience life at its fullest.”

As whiskey enthusiasts but not yet experts in making it, Outsiders sought the help of experienced masters in the art and science of the spirit who could reimagine the traditional whiskey industry conventions. After meetings with various master distillers and blenders, they chose Ari Sussman, the former head of Spirits Development at the Artisan Distilling Program at Michigan State University and an award-winning whiskey maker, for their first release.

“I was excited to work with these guys because it all centered on quality and creativity,” said Ari Sussman. “There were no rules or parameters. It just had to be the finest whiskey possible. Period.” 

Recognizing that whiskeys are created every day all over the world, Sussman took Church’s lead in departing from industry conventions, with new processes destined to disrupt the category. “Eric’s music led the way to JYPSI’s unique mix,” Sussman said. “I immersed myself in Eric’s music, thinking it just might influence my process,” adds Sussman. “What I discovered was a rich, diverse blend of music and an artist who doesn’t conform to the usual norms. That inspired me, so I took that road in creating the premiere batch of Whiskey JYPSI.”

Whiskey JYPSI has partnered with ReserveBar to make Legacy Batch 001 available in 38 states for $199.99.

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