Craftsmanship remains a revered cornerstone for many trades, particularly in a world where automation often overshadows the artistry of traditional methods. One such trade is whisky-making, where the intricate balance of skill, patience, and attention to detail is paramount.
Amongst the custodians of this time-honoured craft is The Balvenie, a distillery that celebrates the core values and methods of single malt whisky-making, revering the unique human elements that turn good work into exceptional craftsmanship. For the Scottish distillery, that means the Five Rare Crafts that make its whisky the very best, including the farmers that cultivate its homegrown barley; the coopers who ensure the casks are wind and water tight; the malt men who operate the traditional malting floor; the coppersmiths who mold the pot stills that gives the whisky its honeyed flavour; and the malt master who oversees the creation of all whiskies for The Balvenie.
Inspired precisely by the craftsmen behind the Five Rare Crafts, The Balvenie’s Makers Project is a core reflection of the journey of craftsmanship, passion, and difference makers can create when they pour their heart into their craft. The campaign manifests in different ways all around the world, but its 2024 iteration also includes a unique collaboration in Malaysia.
This year, The Balvenie’s Makers Project brings its iconic Speyside distillery to life through an exclusive collaboration with local miniature diorama artist Lim Pui Wan, who constructed a miniature replica of the distillery with intricate lifelike details. Through an intimate understanding of her materials, her work champions the Five Rare Crafts and celebrates the ultimate craftsmanship of The Balvenie.
We speak with Lim Pui Wan, also better known as PicoWorm online, for some insights into the inspiration and concept of the miniature rendition of the distillery that pays homage to The Balvenie’s Five Rare Crafts.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started with miniature art.
My journey into the world of miniatures began at a young age as I was captivated by a collection my sister had. I was so intrigued by this intricate art form and took on the challenge of learning to create some pieces myself. At the time, I had to rely on books and relentlessly studied the miniatures my sister owned. I eventually purchased the necessary materials and tools to bring my tiny creations to life after saving up from a part-time job.
Despite having a background in mechanical engineering, it wasn’t really fulfilling so I decided to pursue my passion for miniature art instead. Now I am known as PicoWorm online, a name inspired by “pico” (a tiny metric unit) and “worm” (from bookworm), which also cleverly incorporates my initials, P.W.
Most of my works are tangible representations of cherished moments and I put my heart and soul into each one, crafting every little component by hand. It has been over 10 years since I first started, and my art focuses on capturing the essence of retro Malaysian lifestyles, including traditional barbershops and nostalgic provisions shops, preserving disappearing cultural practices.
What was the thought process behind your miniature dioramas of The Balvenie’s Five Rare Crafts?
Conceptualising my miniature dioramas of The Balvenie’s Five Rare Crafts was a meticulous process. To ensure accuracy, I delved into the art of the production of single malt whisky, relying heavily on photographs and videos. I also paid special attention to the unique shapes of the pot stills to honour the coppersmiths’ legacy and included scenes of coopers meticulously repairing casks to showcase their craftsmanship.
These elements were essential to highlight the dedication and skill involved in each step of the process. My goal was to create dioramas that were not only accurate but also a true reflection of the hard work behind each craft. Ultimately, my inspiration came from the Five Rare Crafts integral to ‘The Balvenie Makers’: the Farmers, Malt Men, Coppersmiths, Coopers, and the Malt Master. Their dedication and expertise fuelled my enthusiasm for bringing these intricate details to life.
How long did it take you to complete The Makers Project and were there any challenges along the way?
It took me around a month to research about The Balvenie’s whisky making process and conceptualise my vision for the design. Crafting the scenes for the Five Rare Crafts took about one and a half months, working almost day and night. I was incredibly satisfied after investing so much time into understanding the process and building the artworks from scratch. It made me feel like I had personally experienced each craft.
Which aspects of The Balvenie inspired you the most throughout the course of this project?
This collaboration is a homage to the craftsmen of the Five Rare Crafts, showcasing The Balvenie’s unwavering commitment to their art. From the Farmers harvesting homegrown barley and the expertise of the Malt Men at the malting floor to the skills of the Coppersmiths and Coopers maintaining The Balvenie’s character, and finally, the Malt Master’s role in ensuring the consistency of the iconic whiskies, each element inspired the meticulous precision and unique stylistic elements of my creations.
This project celebrates the intricate processes and heartfelt dedication that go into every bottle of whisky, mirroring my own commitment to creating art that tells a story and honours the legacy of true artisanship.
Can you share some of the other current/future miniature art projects you’re working on?
I am currently preparing for a group exhibition and creating a diorama that evokes nostalgic memories for Malaysians. It features a “roti man” with his bike, selling all kinds of buns and snacks. This reminds me of when I was a kid and when I would usually get myself some snacks after school. The best part was grabbing snacks with stickers or toys in them. I hope this work resonates with fellow Malaysians and their childhood memories.
The miniature dioramas of the Five Rare Crafts that make up The Balvenie distillery.
The miniature diorama of The Balvenie's Speyside distillery, crafted by Lim Pui Wan.
The Balvenie operates a working floor malting, one of only a handful left in Scotland. After steeping the barley in spring water sourced from hills above the distillery, the malt men hand-turn the barley, which adds depth and complexity to the whisky.
The coopers are integral to The Balvenie's whisky, as only their touch is trusted to get the best from the casks, ensuring they are wind and water tight. The craft of repairing and rebuilding the casks that breathe character into its whisky is a skill that takes years to hone.
A cooper portrayed inside Lim Pui Wan's miniature diorama of The Balvenie distillery.
The distinct shape and size of The Balvenie's copper stills give the whisky its smooth honeyed flavour. It is the duty of the coppersmiths to build and repair the stills that give The Balvenie's whisky its character.
Coppersmiths portrayed inside Lim Pui Wan's miniature diorama of The Balvenie distillery.
Operations at the copper stills, where the coppersmiths work.
The Malt Master oversees the creation of all whiskies for The Balvenie, nosing samples for a balance of notes and character, mastering the complex skills required to create the finest single malt Scotch whisky.
For more information on The Makers Project, follow The Balvenie on Instagram or visit this website. Learn more about Lim Pui Wan’s work via Instagram or this website.
