The globally renowned handcrafted single malt whisky brand The Balvenie will open an experiential pop-up store, The Balvenie Makers Table, at 'Peaches Dawon' in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, from the 27th to the 10th of next month.
Prior to the official opening, a pre-opening event was held, attended by The Balvenie's official muse, actress Kim Goeun, and chef Anh Sung-jae. During the mini briefing held on-site, the two shared their impressions of working with The Balvenie and the charm of food pairing.
This pop-up will showcase ▲The Balvenie DoubleWood 12 Year ▲Caribbean Cask 14 Year ▲French Oak 16 Year ▲PortWood 21 Year, among others. A characteristic of The Balvenie whisky is that it is aged in American Oak casks, offering a sweet and rich flavor.
In particular, at the core space of the pop-up, the 'Makers Table Bar,' visitors can experience the 'The Balvenie Pairing Set,' which The Balvenie has created in collaboration with domestic Korean cuisine artisans. Participating chefs include Chef Lim Hee-won from 'Buto' in Hannam-dong, Michelin 1-star restaurant chefs Jo Eun-hee and Park Sung-bae from Onjieum, and 'Korea House' and 'The Balvenie Bar' in Jung-gu, Seoul.
The pairing set consists of a glass each of 12, 14, 16, and 21-year-old whisky along with ▲'The Balvenie Bar's' pea spring salad ▲'Korea House's' mom's dish and fruit sweets ▲'Buto's' nurungji samgyetang ▲'Onjieum's' jangsanjeok, providing a diverse gourmet experience. This set is available in limited quantities through on-site payment, in addition to reservations.
Chef Anh Sung-jae noted, "The craftsmanship that has made The Balvenie's over 100-year history possible is truly remarkable," and added, "I often use The Balvenie at my restaurant 'Mosu,' and it is an honor to be its official muse. As someone on a similar path, I have much to learn."
Actress Kim Goeun remarked, "The true charm of The Balvenie lies in its depth within delicacy," and said, "I would recommend the 21 Year PortWood for beginners."
Kim Mi-jeong, The Balvenie ambassador, stated, "The Balvenie, made with an American Oak base, has a sweet and honey-like flavor," and expressed her hope that through the various pairing menus at this pop-up, people will experience the true value of The Balvenie.