Balvenie After Hours: Second Sip at Brent Comber Originals

Event Details

Join Crafted Vancouver and hosts Jamie Johnson and Brent Comber for our second edition of Balvenie After Hours series, featuring an exclusive tasting event accompanied by a talk from Brent Comber.

Before the tasting commences, Brent will give a short presentation of his studio gallery, as well as a tour of his studio & workspace. Brent will discuss the sculptural aspect of his work, and how that ties into craft. The presentation will focus on the sculpture process, and the similarities of art to the craft industry. He will be highlighting a particular dynamic sculptural piece, a large cedar crown, that weaves a story from Brent’s collection of the wood to the finished product. Hear the story of how he was first approached to make use of this tree that was being taken down from a residential lot, the local aspect of his work and the community involved. Learn the process of producing this sculpture, accompanied by visuals, and the skills and craftsmanship needed to produce the work. Brent will share his views about craft in general, its importance, and how it touches so much of what we do.

The Balvenie’s National Brand Ambassador, Jamie Johnson will guide us through their signature handcrafted offerings from The Balvenie. Learn the history of single malt and how The Balvenie maintains its tradition of whisky making from grain to glass. From whisky beginner to seasoned aficionado, there is something for everyone in this immersive experience.

Guests will sample from a bespoke 4-pc. Whisky glass set designed and created by Benjamin Kikkert for this evening’s tasting. Each guest will take home a specially boxed set of glasses for personal use or gift giving. Benjamin is president of the Glass Art Association of Canada and will be appearing in the Netflix original series Blown Away airing this spring 2019 and features ten extraordinary glass blowers in competition.

The work of metal artist Stefanie Dueck and ceramic artist Janaki Larsen will be used at our table to accompany our meal.

Jamie Johnson – The Balvenie Brand Ambassador, Canada

Jamie’s love of whisky began many years ago when she made an impulsive visit to a distillery in Kentucky in the middle of a road trip. She’s been enchanted ever since.

In 2014 she began offering casual, fun and approachable whisky tastings in her home. The tastings were so popular, she was forced to expand beyond her Toronto living room – and she began partnering with some of the city’s most popular bars and restaurants to host monthly tastings. Her whisky club, Bourbon Thing, continued to grow rapidly and provide a space for whisky aficionados and neophytes alike to enjoy a dram, a laugh and some whisky education together.

Jamie is also co-host of a popular weekly Whisky Podcast, The Whisky Topic with Whisky Author, Mark Bylok. Jamie joined The Balvenie family as Canadian Brand Ambassador in January of 2017.

About Brent Comber

Brent is the fourth generation of his family to be raised within the Pacific Northwest. Ranging from residential to commercial installations, his aesthetic interpretation of the coast has been recognized both locally and globally, showing as far as Paris, London, Japan, Bora Bora and beyond. Brent continues to explore themes unique to the Pacific Northwest that connect people to this unparalleled setting and the history and dynamism of the landscape.