The collision of the art and booze worlds is not a new phenomenon. We’ve seen it before with the late, great Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose artwork graced a bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin last year. Now, the worlds of art and whiskey are coming together again, this time at Great Jones Distilling Co. in Manhattan.

Great Jones Distilling Co. is the only whiskey distillery in Manhattan, and it opened its doors in August of 2021. Named after a small street in the NoHo neighborhood where it is located, the distillery is owned by Proximo, a drinks giant that also owns the famous tequila brand, Jose Cuervo.

While Brooklyn has been home to whiskey distilleries for over a decade, Great Jones is the first distillery to open in Manhattan since Prohibition. Although they are currently producing whiskey on a small scale, the liquid in their bottles comes from Black Dirt Distilling, an upstate craft distillery also owned by Proximo.

The core Great Jones lineup features a bourbon, four-grain bourbon, and rye whiskey. And now, they have introduced three new bottles as part of their collaboration with Jean-Michel Basquiat. The Great Jones x Jean Michel Basquiat Dinosaur Edition and Great Jones x Jean Michel Basquiat Skull Edition both feature the distillery’s four-year-old bourbon, with labels showcasing Basquiat’s artwork.

The third whiskey in the collaboration, Great Jones x Jean Michel Basquiat Pineau de Charentes Wine Cask-Finished Bourbon, is a seven-year-old bourbon that was finished for over a year in sweet fortified wine casks from France. This whiskey is exclusively available at the distillery and features Basquiat’s crown artwork on the label.

The Basquiat collaboration goes beyond the whiskey bottles. The distillery’s bar has been transformed into The Basquiat Bar, serving food and drinks inspired by the artist. Additionally, visitors can explore “Basquiat’s New York” in the barrel room as part of the Distilling New York x Basquiat VIP Tour, immersing themselves in art and 1980s New York City culture.

For those unable to visit in person, the Basquiat bottles can be purchased online, along with a range of merchandise, including hoodies, caps, and t-shirts. And if you simply want to try the distillery’s regular straight bourbon and other whiskeys, they can be found on websites like Drizly.

The collaboration between Great Jones Distilling Co. and Jean-Michel Basquiat is a unique fusion of art and whiskey, bringing together two creative worlds in a way that pays homage to the late artist’s iconic work. Whether you’re a whiskey enthusiast, an art lover, or both, this collaboration is definitely worth exploring.