The true ambassador of handcrafted single-malts, The Balvenie is launching a one-of-a-kind telescope perched above Sydney’s spectacular harbour at the top of Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney.
The telescope celebrates the traditional hand-craftsmanship that has gone into the production of The Balvenie since 1892, which is increasingly rare in this age of mass-production. The masterpiece will allow the public to scan the city skyline and star-gaze into the solar system, while enjoying the handcrafted whisky “Liquid Physics” cocktails at Sydney’s destination Blu Bar, from March 1 until April 10. The telescope will then continue to exhibit in a series of exclusive bars and restaurants across Australia throughout the year.
Handmade by Mark Turner of Moonraker Telescopes and master wood craftsman Paul Cruickshank-Inns the project is part of The Balvenie Commission initiative, a program which creates collaborations with makers all over the world. The initiative was developed to display The Balvenie’s commitment to craftsmanship, with previous projects including classic car-markers Morgan Motor Company, humidor maker Daniel Marshall and Scottish wood craftsman Sam Chinnery.
Priding itself on its commitment to tradition and artistry, The Balvenie is the only distillery that still grows its own barley, malts in its own traditional floor malting and has coopers who tend the casks and a coppersmith to tend the stills. The skills and expertise of The Balvenie craftsmen, combined with their ambition and drive for perfection, gives The Balvenie it’s uniquely handcrafted character.
Encapsulating this same level of passion and attention to detail, Mark Turner has taken raw materials and lovingly turned them into The Balvenie telescope.
The final product boasts an exclusive copper exterior inspired by the tills at The Balvenie’s distillery in Dufftown, Scotland. Only the most premium quality fittings have been used to reflect The Balvenie’s product. At each location the telescope will be featured standing on a distinctive handmade oak tripod, alongside its custom-made oak wood case, both of which are handcrafted by master wood craftsman and cabinet maker Paul Cruickshank-Inns.
Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney’s Blu Bar is located on the 36th floor of the iconic building and boasts stunning views of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge, Opera House, The Rocks, and the glittering lights of the harbor beyond, all of which will be amplified through the high quality telescope focuser
The exhibition of the Balvenie telescope will run alongside the launch of Blu Bar’s new Liquid Physics cocktail range. The exclusive technique used to create the cocktails harnesses the science of energy, movement, and force. To celebrate the collaboration the expert team from Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney’s Blu Bar have specifically developed two stylish whisky cocktails that capture the artistry and style that define The Balvenie, and provide pleasure for the senses on every level.
Mark Little, Marketing Manager of The Balvenie says, “The five rare crafts of The Balvenie range truly epitomize hand craftsmanship. We wanted to create an experience to amplify this and have searched across the world to bring together some of the finest examples of modern day craftspeople plying their trades the old-fashioned way. Each of the different aspects of this event celebrates craftsmanship: Balvenie Whisky, The Moonraker Telescope and hand crafted whisky cocktails. ”
Following it’s time in Sydney the telescope will then move to Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane, where it will be featured for 6-8 weeks per location.
For updates on the telescopes location throughout the year please join Warehouse 24 at
https://www.thebalvenie.com/warehouse24/register
William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent distiller founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin and Sailor Jerry®.
For more information visit
www.thebalvenie.com
or
www.williamgrant.com
by Arrnott Olssen
Editor Rogue Homme
