While we love our barrel-aged spirits, aging in wood can be an unsustainable business. So, we love it when brands either sell their barrels for a second use or turn them into something else entirely. The Balvenie is known for celebrating skilled artisans and the brand did a lot to highlight their talents in the series Raw Craft, hosted by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. Now, the Scotch house is turning to the style world by partnering with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Todd Snyder to create a style and home collection crafted from used whisky barrels.
The collection features four special items from four different artisans. Black Fox Furniture designed a double-sided charcuterie board and each side features a recess that’s perfect for holding a Glencairn whisky glass: One side highlights the charred wood, while the other showcases the beauty of uncharred white oak. The boards are finished with a Balvenie-infused oil for an extra distinctive touch.
Louie Scalzo has been playing drums since the ‘70s, and his mastery can be seen in his beautifully crafted instruments at SJC Drums. He created a snare drum specifically for this collection, and the gorgeous wood exterior was taken from The Balvenie’s aged whisky. Scalzo commented that the fir timbers that housed the whisky created some of the most beautiful sounding (and delicious smelling) drum shells to date.
Fans of fine footwear will love the collaboration with Raul Ojeda of LA-based Willie’s Shoe Service and Don Ville. Each pair of $3,600 boots is custom-made to order and crafted from handsome leather and a heel filled with Balvenie barrel wood. If you’re looking to drop a cool $15,000, the shoes come with roundtrip domestic airfare to Los Angeles for your custom fitting, a special Balvenie tasting at Ojeda’s studio, and two nights at a five-star hotel.
Perhaps our favorite piece from this collection is The Balvenie Bar Cart, which is made to order by Foundrywood artisan Mats Christeen. He transforms the wood from reclaimed barrels into a show-stopping piece of art that displays both the natural exterior and charred interior. At almost $4,000 apiece, it’s quite expensive for a bar cart—but it’s also the coolest one we’ve ever seen.
You can check out the collection on Todd Snyder’s website or visit the designer’s Madison Square store in NYC to take a closer look.
