The Macklowe Adds Bourbon To Its Ultra Luxury Whiskey Portfolio

Six years after disrupting the American single malt space, The Macklowe is ready to take a bite out of the bourbon market. Today, the ultra-premium whiskey brand announces the launch of its Sapphire Bourbon Collection. It debuts as a pair of labels with varying degrees of availability. The flagship is a Kentucky straight aged for four years. Alongside that is a 240-bottle limited release, finished for an additional year in a port-seasoned cask, sold exclusively at Collezione New York.

According to its namesake founder, Julie Macklowe, the new whiskies are intended to redefine what American luxury bourbon looks and tastes like. We scored an exclusive first pour and can reveal all the details of what’s inside and outside the glass.

For starters, both liquids are bottled at 46% ABV. They were blended by the award-winning Brendan McCarron, a marquee name in the world of scotch; he cut his teeth at distilleries no less legendary than Glenmorangie and Bunnahabhain. In this endeavor, he ventured across the pond and worked closely with the founder—who had developed an advanced palate for whiskey long before launching her own—to come away with something flaunting the depth and sophistication of Old World offerings.

The signature release looks and noses like the most classic of Kentucky straights, brimming with caramel and vanilla. But its zesty body and lengthy finish, full of textured tannins and mentholated earth, are destined to resonate with single malt scotch fans. The 5-Year Port Finish carries this complexity further still, layering over-ripened berry fruit atop a satin-like mouthfeel.

To achieve the result, Macklowe benefits from the steady hand of its maker along with top quality cooperage from Independent Stave. But there’s another wildcard at play creating notable differentiation: the underlying juice (sourced from an unnamed distillery in Kentucky) relies on sweet mash fermentation. As opposed to the industry standard of sour mash, this technique avoids using the backset from previous fermentation runs. It requires a supremely clean and precise production environment to pull off and ultimately results in a brighter distillate.

McCarron, for his part, conveyed that initial degree of meticulousness into the final product.

“Under his guidance, every barrel was assessed for grain sweetness, tannin level and aromatic precision,” says Macklowe. “We tracked evaporation, acidity, and ester evolution through the entire maturation cycle. Each cask contributes a note in the symphony. Luxury, for me, comes down to obsession—every detail matters. Just as with haute couture, it’s about using the best raw materials, spending time where others cut corners, and creating something designed to endure.”

As implied by the name of the new collection, these bourbons are identifiable by a bright blue edge surrounding the clear glass at its core. The shape and design of the bottle itself follows the classic flask-inspired look that defines the portfolio. The signature 4-year-old wears a red label and will retail for $65. The port-cask limited edition wears a blue label and sells for $140.

They’ll both be familiar to fans of the original single malt Macklowe, which uses the same bottle, only in a shiny gold border. Macklowe says the flask shape invokes both heritage and irreverence. And though bright blue isn’t something that’s traditionally been associated with bourbon, she opted for the colorway because, to her, it symbolizes confidence, clarity, and timeless beauty.

“It’s a statement piece,” she adds. “It’s designed to sit proudly on a bar like a sculpture—proof that American whiskey can be every bit as elegant and aspirational as any grand spirit in the world. Design is part of our DNA. I’ve always believed that great whiskey should look as beautiful as it tastes.”

And if you’re really looking to make a statement, The Macklowe is now offering a one-time release of a single cask bourbon, in celebration of its entry into the category. The assertive 13-year-old spice-bomb also brandishes a 46% ABV and is limited to just 200 bottles worldwide. It will never be repeated. It’s listed here for $1500 and available for holiday pre-order.