Iconic Celebrity Jeweler Jacob Arabo, Whose Clients Include Biggie Smalls, Madonna and Jay-Z, Debuts Whisky Brand

Jacob Arabo poses with the bespoke bottle, with a distinctive design made by Alec Monopoly and Constellation X. (Photos: Jacob and Co.)

On Tuesday, World Tempus reported that celebrity jeweler Jacob and Co. is entering the premium whisky game. Two thousand decanters of the brand’s debut scotch will be available for purchase at a suggested retail price of $2,500.

Jacob And Co. is helmed by Jacob Arabo, a groundbreaking jeweler whose claim to fame stems from icing out celebrities like The Notorious B.I.G, Madonna, Jay-Z and many others.

Jacob, an Uzbekastanian immigrant, gained notoriety due to his outrageously extravagant jewelry designs, many of which featured diamonds according to High Snobiety. Arabo was not afraid to put diamonds on men, which was considered unheard of in the 1990s. Rappers like Jay-Z, Slick Rick, Biz Markie, and Kanye West have purchased his pieces, and many have made references to the jeweler in their music, affectionately referring to him as “Jacob the Jeweler” or just “Jacob.”

“Celebrities liked my pieces because they smell like entertainment,” Arabo said, according to High Snobiety. “They were designed for entertainers, not regular people. And only celebrities could wear them, not just price-wise, but looks-wise, too. They were show pieces, but I also loved the designs myself.”

The jeweler known for thinking outside the box appears to have a taste for premium scotch, resulting in the collaboration.

Arabo tapped ex-Bowmore master blender Andrew Rankin to create the whisky. Rankin crafted a blend of scotch whiskies from first- and second-fill ex-bourbon American oak casks. The 26-year-old blend spent an additional four years marrying in a cask, yielding a 30-year-old blended scotch whisky.

The unique decanter was painted by Alec Monopoly.

The decanter was designed by Constellation X and the famous modern artist Alec Monopoly. Monopoly is known for his signature “Monopoly Man” street art, which can be found in major cities like Miami, Los Angeles, and other countries like Europe, Mexico and Asia.

Monopoly is a friend of the Jacob and Co. brand and he designed the limited-edition whisky’s label. Monopoly additionally painted a distinctive label for Decanter #1, a unique expression that will be available for purchase at auction.

Jacob Arabo says he loves the “smooth, creamy, peppery and lingering oaky aspect,” of scotch and this particular expression hosts those flavor characteristics and aroma profiles.

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