The Balvenie officially unveils The Makers Project in Malaysia, an exclusive exhibition that will be held from 3 to 12 December 2021 at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, featuring specially commissioned artwork from homegrown designer Fern Chua. Fern joins the collective of five other ‘Makers’ who have been selected from around the region, hailing from Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. The exhibition which marks the launch of The Balvenie’s global campaign, is inspired by the craftsmen behind the Five Rare Crafts that The Balvenie maintains in its whisky-making process.

Every whisky has its unique history and for The Balvenie (which hails from Speyside), it is one of dedication and passion over almost 130 years. A lineage of fine single malts has seen the label win numerous awards for its signature spirit. The story behind The Balvenie is not just about a hand-crafted single malt, it is also a tale about one of the last remaining distilleries to boast a working malting floor, one of only a handful left in Scotland. The Balvenie prides themselves by being the world’s most hand-crafted single malt Scotch whisky.

The Balvenie’s craftsmen have been committing to their craft for decades, pouring their heart into what they do and always continuing to reach the pinnacle of their craft. Looking to inspire a new generation of makers in their fields, The Balvenie’s new partnership will seek to show the passage to ultimate craftsmanship.

Founded on the shared passion for the creative process as well as the time and focus that goes into creating something exceptional, the partnership with The Makers celebrates each of their natural talents and groundbreaking work, the result of the unwavering passion, personality and heart that goes into everything they create – a true embodiment of The Balvenie’s spirit of craftsmanship.

A pioneer in redefining techniques, Fern Chua from Malaysia has been challenging the industry by bringing a contemporary approach to this ancient art form. Using sponges, brushes, drops and eccentric vibrant colour combinations, Fern has successfully taken the industry to a new height. Fern also believes in collective initiative and community. Her label has been supporting local artisans in the pursuit of fine craftsmanship. For certain collections, Fern has collaborated with Malaysian block printing makers to keep pushing the boundaries of batik.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Fern Chua in Malaysia as we resonate strongly with her ideals for her brand, which is to bridge the traditional with the contemporary through her designs, as well as uplift the community and celebrate other local artisans and designers through collaborations. This is what The Makers Project is all about – celebrating those who craft with passion and produce exceptional works of art.”

Brett Bayly, regional brand ambassador for The Balvenie Southeast Asia

Punctuating The Makers Project exhibition will be the unveiling of Fern Chua’s The Balvenie inspired designs. Guests will also be transported on a sensorial journey that brings the Five Rare Crafts to life – 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, a pioneer of whisky making, who has spent close to six decades honing his craft. Visitors will be treated to a curated cinematic tasting experience where they will be able to enjoy two drams of The Balvenie whisky to conclude their journey.

The audio visual tasting experience will allow guests to indulge in both The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood and The Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask in an exclusive personal setting that is designed to be both immersive and alluring.

The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood has complexity to keep it interesting, but light enough to fit into almost any occasion. The warm fruit and honey nose gives way to darkly sweet and fruity flavours on the palate, which then fades out with a sweet finish, making it a well-rounded whisky.

The Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask on the other hand holds a light creaminess with each sip. Flavours of vanilla, sweet oak, spice and fruitiness, hit the palate, with some very light smokiness on the finish.

To explore the world of The Balvenie at The Makers Project happening at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur from 3 to 12 December 2021, guests can purchase tickets which are priced at RM70 and RM90.

The RM70 priced ticket entitles the holder to an exclusive chocolate collection from Chocolate Concierge + The Balvenie 12 Year Old DoubleWood Miniature (5cl) and one (1)) Admittance to the cinematic experience with 2 complimentary drams.

The RM90 ticket will entitle the holder to an exclusive chocolate collection from Chocolate Concierge + The Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask Miniature (5cl) and one (1)) Admittance to the cinematic experience with 2 complimentary drams.

Tickets can be booked through: https://bit.ly/3nMjsCp

Photo credits: The Balvenie Malaysia