We are proud to share that Whiskey JYPSI is our unanimous choice for
2024 Whiskey Maker of the Year
Please join us in congratulating this superior whiskey for their all around excellence!
Throughout the year, Whiskey Network has the immense privilege of working with a vast array of whiskey brands and expressions. We’re always evaluating these for potential candidates to be elevated as our Whiskey Maker of the Year. Though our methodology is proprietary, there are some key factors that help a brand stand out to us. First and foremost, the whiskey must be amazing! From there, we consider the story of the key people involved, the ethos of the brand, how they choose to give back to the community, and the list goes on from there.
Whiskey JYPSI emerged as an early favorite when we were first introduced to the brand in early 2024. Of course, knowing that Ari Sussman was involved provided instant credibility and we wanted to learn more. Along with Raj Alva and Eric Church, the trio brought their respective expertise to the brand and their dedication to craftsmanship has paid off. What has emerged is an authentic and exciting line of whiskey with their Explorer and Legacy expressions.
Ari Sussman, Raj Alva, and Eric Church (left to right)
(Raj/Ari Photo Credit: Whiskey JYPSI / Eric Photo Credit: Robby Klein)
The Whiskey Wizard (Ari Sussman), The Shrewd Businessman (Raj Alva), and The Poet (Eric Church) are the supergroup responsible for Whiskey JYPSI. Alongside the rest of their hard-working team, there has been a groundswell of support for brand emerging. The whiskey community has taken notice of their products and for good reason. Let’s be clear, this whiskey is not a “celebrity brand” in any way. This is a bona fide whiskey legend in the making with three people leading the charge to crystallize their passion for quality.
In September 2024, we featured Raj Alva as our cover story. Please go here to read more about him and the brand. This discussion is a great starting point to get familiar with the brand and those involved. As stated in the article, “There is no substitute for passion and quality, and these are the core values that live at the heart of the brand.” Whiskey and stories are always a great combination, and the story of how these three came together is well worth discovering.
Another key ingredient in making this choice is understanding how a whiskey brand chooses to give back to the community. It is our perspective that all causes are worthy of being championed, so the decision does not hinge on the subject matter or the size of the contribution. What matters is being involved in the community in some way. Whiskey JYPSI let Eric Church lead the way in helping the victims of Hurricane Helene, which you can read about here. In short, he recorded the song “Darkest Hour” and signed over the publishing royalties to assist those who were impacted by the storm. This is a deeply genuine gesture not meant to capture the spotlight, but to harness the power of good to aid fellow humans in their most dire moment of need.
Whiskey JYPSI is an innovative new player on the whiskey landscape. With an eye on taste, a flair for the dramatic, and a healthy dose of business acumen, there is a compelling story to be discovered about this brand. There are many choices out there and we, quite frankly, celebrate all whiskey. However, in 2024 there was no other brand that emerged as well rounded as this one. Whiskey enthusiasts can make choices between the same brands that find themselves at the top of most lists every year, or they can delve deep into this brand who is blazing a new trail.
Delicious whiskey is always something to be enjoyed, and we hope you take the time to discover this brand and seek it out! We’ve given you many of the reasons why we made this choice, now it’s your turn to find out for yourself!
Congratulations to Whiskey JYPSI for this honor and their achievement in 2024!
Go here to learn more directly from the brand and go here to learn more about where you can buy it.
