Julie Macklowe is a successful New York businesswoman and an inspiring entrepreneur. Her multi-decade career in the finance industry speaks for itself. She has managed large consumer portfolios for SIGMA and Millennium Management, and she is now doing so under Macklowe Capital. In addition, she founded the luxury skincare line Vbeauté in 2011 and managed it to become one of the fastest growing brands in the industry. In fall of 2018, Vbeauté was sold to QVC.
She has an ardent love of whiskey and is one of only 200 Whiskey Ambassadors, certified with a perfect score due to her unprecedented skill for nosing and tasting. In 2019, she found inspiration in her own whiskey collection and set out to start her own brand. While many people entertain such thoughts, it’s an elite club where visionaries achieve execution and success. She needed to carefully choose a partner to bring her grand plans to reality. Working with Master Blender Ian MacMillan was an obvious choice with his experience at Bunnahabhain, Tobermory, and Deanston.
In a powerful statement to the world of whiskey, The Macklowe is now a compelling reality as the first luxury American Single Malt. The Private Collection (SRP $1,500) debuted in December of 2022, and the signature collection of the Kentucky Edition launched in May 2023.
Whiskey Network is excited to announce that The Macklowe generously shared the Kentucky Edition for tasting and review. It’s not every day that there is an opportunity to experience whiskey borne of splendor and rooted in opulence.
The Macklowe Kentucky Edition whiskey was distilled in 2019 and bottled in 2023 (44 months) and bottled at 46% ABV (92 proof). The retail price for this edition is $259 (700ml).
Visual
The Macklowe radiates a dusky gold color. Picture a lush field of marigolds bathed in vibrant sunlight and then captured in liquid form. It is striking and inviting.
Nose
There is an unmistakable symphony of honey, oak, and faint floral tones that jump out of the glass. Over time, this profile transforms into a delightful aromatic experience as the honey and floral notes meld together into resonance.
Palate
With a sleek and luxurious mouthfeel, the whiskey begins with balanced notes of vanilla and ginger. Temptation draws us in for a second taste, and that’s when the intense spice takes center stage. There is an unmistakable hint of nuttiness that emerges and a hint of butterscotch to be discovered on the third round.
Finish
Intense spice persists on the finish. Imagine something warm, inviting, and that oozes hypnotic hints of vanilla and clove. There is a lingering warmth that slowly works its way into your soul and leaves a pleasant and satisfying sensation. Of course, you’ll want more!
Final Thoughts
There are many bottles on the market that claim to be luxury brands. Very few of these achieve luxury outside of packaging and hype. From idea to execution, The Macklowe is authentic and sumptuous in mind, body, and soul. With the pedigree and ambition of its creators, it is deliberately made for an audience that yearns for the best things in life and whiskey.
This whiskey is a complex and captivating sensory experience. Our eyes see a dancing field of marigolds. The gentle tendrils of honey, oak, and floral tones embrace our olfactory senses. Finally, as this whiskey immerses the palate in a luxurious and complex orchestra of flavors… it approaches a dreamlike experience.
The Macklowe leaves an indelible memory like halcyon days worthy of a chapter in memoirs.
For the discerning whiskey consumer who is focused on an elegant experience, this is a must buy. Seek it out at discerning establishments and distinguished retail stores near you.
Score: 95/100
