JYPSIs, Tramps and Thieves – Whiskey JYPSI The Tribute

JYPSI Bourbon

Alright y’all, let me just get this out there: I’m not a big Eric Church fan. Nothing against the man personally, but my music tastes are cut from a different cloth. I don’t flip on terrestrial radio, because if I’m gonna let some corporate DJ spoon-feed me what to listen to, then I’ve officially turned my back on my generation. Music ought to be chosen, not assigned. And if I am going to put on some country, it better be Willie Nelson with Bloody Mary Morning or Kris Kristofferson growling through Sunday Morning Coming Down. That’s country you can feel in your bones.

But you’re not here for a rant about music—you’re here for bourbon. So let’s pour a glass and talk JYPSI.

The Pour: First Impressions

Whiskey JYPSI The Tribute is one of those bottles I didn’t want to like. Maybe it’s the branding, maybe it’s the connection to Eric Church, maybe it’s just my stubborn streak. But the truth is this: I like it—a lot.

From the very first sip, The Tribute lets you know it belongs in the conversation. It’s not shy, it’s not harsh, it’s not trying to play tricks with some overhyped finish or novelty barrel. This bourbon is sweet, smooth, and straightforward in a way that feels classic. It opens with a wave of caramel, rolls into a buttery softness, and then leans into a nutty, smoky note that lingers on the tongue. And here’s the kicker—I swear I get cornbread in there. As a Southern man, that makes me grin. Cornbread belongs on the table and in the glass.

Smooth and Approachable

What I love most about The Tribute is how approachable it is. It doesn’t feel like it’s trying to knock you over with proof or flex on you with barrel gimmicks. Instead, it’s smooth—smooth enough to pour for your buddies who aren’t diehard bourbon fans but still interesting enough to hold my attention. That’s a tough balance to pull off, but this bottle threads the needle.

It’s the kind of bourbon that can sit comfortably on your shelf next to your daily drinkers. If you’re a Buffalo Trace fan, this bottle deserves a spot in that same lineup. It’s got that same easygoing drinkability with its own twist—sweet, clean, and with a finish that keeps you coming back.

The Finish: A Real Contender

I’ll be real here: The Tribute isn’t about chasing collectors. It’s not trying to be the next unicorn bourbon that people flip online for triple the price. It’s a solid pour at a fair price, and that’s worth celebrating. Not everything needs to be rare or hard to find to be worth your time.

In fact, I’d argue that Whiskey JYPSI The Tribute is the kind of bottle bourbon needs more of. Accessible, flavorful, and confident enough to stand toe-to-toe with bigger names without being a gimmick. It’s a pour that earns respect the old-fashioned way—by tasting good.

Closing Thoughts

So yeah, I came in skeptical. I didn’t want to like it. But here I am, glass in hand, telling you it’s good—damn good. Sweet, smooth, with a fine finish that leaves you wanting another sip. It’s a real competitor in that $40–$50 range, and it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Buffalo Trace and the other household names.

And maybe—just maybe—this means I should give Eric Church another chance too. I’m sure it’s not going to be Okie from Muskogee, but who knows? Maybe it’s time I change a little too.

Cheers, y’all.