AS part of the launch of whiskey brand The Balvenie’s global campaign, they have unveiled The Makers Project in Malaysia, an exclusive exhibition held from December 3 to 12 at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, featuring specially commissioned artwork from homegrown batik designer Fern Chua.
The exhibition is inspired by the craftsmen behind the Five Rare Crafts that The Balvenie maintains in its whiskey-making process. As stated by the displays at the exhibit, many of the people who work at the Scottish distillery have done so for many years, with many lasting decades.
The Five Rare Crafts behind the whiskey – from the farmers of the homegrown barley fields, the maltmen who manage the malting floors, the coppers at the cooperage, the coppersmiths and Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE, who has spent close to six decades honing his craft.
As The Balvenie has proclaimed themselves to be the ultimate whiskey craftsmen, they now hope to inspire other makers in their own fields. In Malaysia, they have featured Fern, who is known for her brand, Fern Batik Collective.
In five other countries in the region, where they are also launching, other local creators are being highlighted.
During a brief presentation at the launch event last week, Fern demonstrated the different techniques used in her designs. Using sponges, brushes, drops and eccentric vibrant colour combinations.
As part of the exhibition, guests were also taken through a tasting of two The Balvenie whiskies, namely The Balvenie 12-Year-Old DoubleWood and The Balvenie 14-Year-Old Caribbean Cask.
Much like wine, to truly appreciate a premium whiskey like this there’s a whole method, from swirling it around the glass, sniffing to taste the subtleties of the aroma, taking a sip to activate your palate, before actually drinking it.
The 12-Year-Old DoubleWood has an interesting complexity and it’s very smooth – good for people trying to get into whiskey drinking. It’s a sweet whiskey, with some spice, but the taste is well balanced.
The 14-Year-Old Caribbean Cask is an altogether more complex whiskey, much of which is leant to its distilling process.
In addition to the process used to make the DoubleWood, this one spends its last four months in an oak barrel that had previously stored rum. This gives it a more sweet and slightly smoky taste.
Anyone interested in The Makers Project at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur can buy tickets which are priced at RM70 and RM90.
Each ticket gives the guest a nice handmade wooden box with chocolates from Chocolate Concierge and a miniature bottle of The Balvenie whisky (either the DoubleWood or the Caribbean Cask). – The Vibes, December 6, 2021
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