The Macklowe
The Macklowe is an American brand of single malt whiskey created by entrepreneur Julie Macklowe.[1][2][3] The whiskey is distilled in Kentucky and aged seven years.[4] A limited run of 237 was produced from its first cask.[5][6]
Origins and Philosophy
During her early career, while traveling for her finance career, she made trips to Speyside, Paris, and Kentucky, searching out bottle shops and duty-free stands. She has since expanded her collection of whiskeys to over 1,000 bottles.[7] As whiskey values began to explode in the mid 2010s, Macklowe zeroed in on an opportunity to create what she considers a unicorn: a luxury single malt made in America.[7]
Production
Macklowe teamed up with renowned Scottish distiller and blender Ian MacMillan, known for his work with Bunnahabhain and Bladnoch.[7][8] The Macklowe is produced in Kentucky the way bourbon is traditionally made, using a column still and copper doubler.[9] She chose to produce a single malt because of the versatility of barley, the base grain, and the wide range of flavors it can elicit.[9] The brand follows a farm-to-table philosophy, which includes a locally sourced malted barley.[10] The first releases were made in Oregon to Macklowe's specifications and aged further in Kentucky, where the initial runs of her core product are made, matured, and bottled.[11] Casks spend anywhere from 5–8 years in new American white oak barrels before being hand selected by MacMillan. The product is then bottled in hand-crafted, hand painted bottles that are designed after flasks.[12]
Tasting Notes
With notes of vanilla and hazelnuts on the nose, The Macklowe’s Cask No. 61 is a silky, full-bodied affair marked by flavors of coffee and leather, and lingering spice.[9]
The latest release of The Macklowe, Cask No. 60, has been observed to taste like cloves, citrus, vanilla, and brown sugar, with a pronounced oakiness; the nose is strong, the finish smooth, and the seven-year-old liquid registers as spicy and warm.[7]
Reception
Bloomberg called The Macklowe “the new whiskey that is taking over Wall Street.”[7][13] The Macklowe has consistently sold out each limited release of its Casks of Distinction within minutes of becoming available. Chef Daniel Boulud praises its “balance and purity.”[7] Jean-Georges’ restaurants, Eleven Madison Park and Daniel, the Polo Bar, and institutions like Marea, Catch Steak, Carbone, Le Pavillon, Le Bilboquet, Nick & Sam's Steakhouse,Casa Cipriani, Casa Lever, Lola Taverna, Bemelmans at the Carlyle, the Grill, the Lobster Club and Tutto il Giorno serve it.[7]
References
- Clark, Evan (2021-12-06). "Julie Macklowe Launches Luxury American Single Malt Whiskey". WWD. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
- spiritedzine (2021-12-06). "Julie Macklowe Brings Luxury To American Single Malt With $1,500 Whiskey". SpiritedZine. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
- Hurt, Jeanette. "Holiday Gift Guide 2021: Best Whiskeys And Whiskies Made By Women". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
- Dangremond, Sam (2022-01-18). "Julie Macklowe Couldn't Find an American Single Malt Whiskey to Her Liking—So She Made One Herself". Town & Country. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
- "Julie Macklowe's Latest Venture? An American Single-Malt Whiskey". Vogue. 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
- "Marvelous Macklowe Single Malt".
- "There's a New Whiskey Winning Over Wall Street". Bloomberg.com. 2022-05-09. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
- "The Team". The Macklowe. Retrieved 2022-05-31.
- "Julie Macklowe's Latest Venture? An American Single-Malt Whiskey". Vogue. 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
- "Our Process". The Macklowe. Retrieved 2022-05-31.
- "Cask Nº60". The Macklowe. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
- Julie Macklowe Launches Luxury American Single Malt Whiskey; WWD;
- "Julie Macklowe Makes Bold Claim Regarding Her New Whiskey". Whiskey Raiders. 2021-12-07. Retrieved 2022-05-31.