Luster English

Great Jones pays tribute to Basquiat with a special edition bourbon

“Empire Edition,” a Bottle with Basquiat’s Iconic Crown, as Well as an Exclusive Clothing Line, Arrives from Great Jones Distilling Co.

Por: Alejandro Carrillo
Empire Edition / Photo via Great Jones Distilling
Empire Edition / Photo via Great Jones Distilling

Great Jones Distilling Co., the only distillery in Manhattan, is once again paying homage to the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

 

Almost a year after launching three bourbons with designs inspired by his work, they announce the arrival of “Empire Edition,” a new bottle with Basquiat’s iconic crown, as well as an exclusive clothing line.

Empire Edition / Photo via Great Jones Distilling
Empire Edition / Photo via Great Jones Distilling

Opened in 2021, Great Jones became the first whiskey distillery in Manhattan since Prohibition, and currently remains the only one in the borough (Brooklyn, on the other hand, is home to several, such as Kings County Distillery).

 

While the distillery produces whiskey on a small scale, the whiskey that is currently in the bottles comes from Black Dirt Distillery, upstate New York (both distilleries are owned by Proximo Spirits, the company behind Jose Cuervo and other tequila brands).

A special whiskey

Great Jones’ flagship bourbon, a four-year-old whiskey made with New York-grown corn, malted barley, and rye and bottled at 86 proof, is the star of the new “Great Jones x Jean-Michel Basquiat: Empire Edition.” The new label features Basquiat’s work “Mecca,” a rendition of the New York City skyline created in 1982.

 

“As we continue our partnership with Jean-Michel Basquiat, we are proud to align Great Jones Whiskey with a New York icon whose art represents the vibrant culture of downtown,” said Lander Otegui, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Proximo Spirits.

Empire Edition / Photo via Great Jones Distilling
Empire Edition / Photo via Great Jones Distilling

“With this special edition, we pay homage to Basquiat’s legacy on Great Jones Street, while also setting a new standard for craft distillation in Manhattan using entirely New York ingredients to make our award-winning whiskeys.”

A unique flavor

The official tasting notes describe aromas of dry corn, cake batter, vanilla, and white pepper, followed by flavors of green grass and white pepper on the palate.

 

In collaboration with fashion brand Rome Pays Off, Great Jones created a collection of clothing and items inspired by “Mecca,” which includes a bucket hat, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt.

Empire Edition / Photo via Great Jones Distilling
Empire Edition / Photo via Great Jones Distilling

This summer you can visit the distillery to buy a bottle of “Great Jones x Jean-Michel Basquiat: Empire Edition” (suggested price of $40) and enjoy some of the special cocktails created by Great Jones’ master mixologist, Collin Frazier.

 

Both the bourbon and the clothing collection are now available for purchase on Great Jones’ website, while the main line can be found on websites like ReserveBar.

About Great Jones Distilling Co

The distillery produces a variety of whole grain whiskeys, including bourbon, rye, and American whiskey. Their products use locally sourced grains and are aged in American oak barrels for better flavor.

Empire Edition / Photo via Great Jones Distilling
Empire Edition / Photo via Great Jones Distilling

Great Jones Distilling Co. offers a variety of experiences for visitors, including tours, tastings, and cocktail classes. It also has a restaurant that serves modern American cuisine.

 

We hope you enjoyed this article about Great Jones Distilling, If you did, please share it with others. You might also be interested in reading our article about Casio, or browsing other reviews in our Luster English section.

Receive the latest news

Subscribe To Our Magazine

Luster Magazine

Digital Magazine

Ingresa los siguientes datos y comienza a disfrutar de nuestra revista digital.