After 6,381 miles, 33 states, 35 cities and 52 craftsman, Andrew and Nicholas have just completed the adventure that was, The Rare Craft Roadshow. Travelling the United States in their beloved Mary Rose (a hand-made Morgan +8) since April, The Balvenie duo have visited boot makers, furniture designers, salvage material artists, tailors and everything in between.
Why, you say? Inspired by the meticulous, hands-on production techniques that make The Balvenie the world’s most handcrafted single malt Scotch whisky, Andrew and Nicholas embarked on the Roadshow to celebrate craftspeople that still make things the old fashioned way – or as Dennis McBain would say, the right way.
“The best part of this journey for me was seeing the dedication of so many people,” Nicholas commented, “The true artist or craftsperson is not driven by financial reward or celebrity, but by the blessing they have in loving what they do every day of their lives.” Andrew agreed, saying “What has been consistent with every visit we have made along our long journey has been the passion, but also the artistic eye in seeing something beautiful in the making. For example, someone who looks at some discarded wood and instead, sees the potential for a dining table that can be cared for, nurtured and become a living part of a family.”
Lest you forget the inspiring individuals we’ve discovered along the way, here are first-hand accounts of Andy and Nicholas’ visits from the Roadshow:
March 28, Southern Florida: Firebird Longboards, Blask Boards and Sal Prashnik Jewelers
April 1, Northern Florida: Rustic Rooster and Caribiana Sea Skiffs
April 4, New Orleans: Red Metal and New Orleans Glassworks
April 5, Giving the Morgan a Name
April 11, Texas: Wheeler Boots, Collings Guitars, M.L Leddy’s
April 19, In Las Vegas, discusses visits in Phoenix: Little Mama’s Products & Nelson Wade.
April 27, Las Vegas, San Diego and Orange County: Stitched Lifestyle, Noble Experiment & Kai Boards.
May 3, Orange County, San Luis Obispo & San Francisco: Rodworks , Bar Marmont, April in Paris.
August 22, New Orleans: Tales of the Cocktail
September 20, Denver: MM Local, Sweet Action Ice Cream, The Chocolate Therapist.
September 24, Milwaukee: Sprecher Brewing Company.
September 29, Chicago, Valparaiso, Indiana: Optimo Hats and The Hoosier Bat Company.
October 1, Indianapolis, Louisville: Butler woodworking, Kelvin Cooperage and Louisville Slugger.
October 11, New Jersey: SDB Coppersmith, Fiore’s Deli and Ninety Acres.
October 13, Tom’s River, New Jersey: Jeffrey Karlovich.
October 14, Gardiner, NY: Tuthilltown distillery.
October 21, Massachusetts: Wallpusher Bass Guitars, Birds and Beans coffee.
October 24, Massachusetts & New Hampshire: Canal Gallery Building, Limmer Boots.
October 28, New York City: NYCutlery, Doyle Mueser, Letterpress Design Studio.
November 8, New York City: Wendy Eilers Watercolors and The Rosenwach Group.
November 11, New York City: Remains Lighting and Lowry Voisard Designs.