Most consumers of spirits are usually focused on what is inside the bottle rather than the packaging, yet bottle and box design are a key marketing component for spirit sales, and competition is high between producers.
December 2019 saw the latest batch of alcoholic drinks come under the spotlight at The Spirits Business annual Design & Packaging Masters.
A panel of independent experts from the spirit industry and packaging design industry looked at entrants from a wide range of categories across the spirit spectrum. They were judged on user experience, such as Pink Pepper Gin whose packaging doubles as a cocktail recipe, and No.3 London Dry Gin, which picked up a medal for its ‘easy to hold’ shape. Whereas, Knut Hansen Dry Gin and Avallen Calvados were rewarded for using recycled materials for their labels and environmentally friendly glass.
There were also awards for the pure aesthetics of some designs, such as Penderyn Rich Oak whisky, where the elegant design caught the eye of one panel member who said:
“This is something I’d love to have in my cupboard. There’s something very special about it.”
Whereas, the Compass Box Stranger & Stranger whisky was described as ‘opulent perfection’. Other awards looked at the originality of a packaging story, such as Ferrand 10 Generations gin, whose intricate family tree design depicts the brand’s founding family history.
There is no doubt that the winning spirits across each category would look good next to beautiful engraved crystal glasses in any cocktail cabinet.