Winners of the 2018 Luxury Packaging Awards were announced last night, Allied Glass winning the Luxury Drinks category with the beautiful Midleton Very Rare bottle, the judges commenting:

“Shouts quality and a good example of “less is more”. refined graphics and interesting fonts, nice use of typography. The bottles “V” shapes droplet is very unique and very attractive, focusses the eye down towards the label and Brand message. Great shelf impact and loaded with premiumness. Crafted box, simple and pure which marries perfectly with the bottle.”

Designed in conjunction with Nude, the elegant bottle profile, manufactured in the finest extra white flint glass, draws inspiration from a writer’s ink well, acknowledging Ireland’s history of producing world class literature and linking to the craftmanship which goes into distilling the liquid. The distinctive dip in the shoulder embodies a pen nib and the gentle flow of whiskey when poured.

Works of Irish literature influence the front labels, from the layout of the copy to the tactile uncoated paper stock. The Midleton Very Rare monogram takes centre stage on the neck, linking to the brand’s family heritage. The limited availability is illustrated by the central focus of the bottling year and the original product line: ‘Aged to Perfection’.

Each bottle is individually numbered and bears the signature of the Master Distiller. The reverse of the label features the signature of the original blend creator Barry Crockett.

The new packaging is the first to feature Midleton’s new branding, at the centre of which is a dense flower orchid, commonly found in County Cork, representing the delicate touch of the Master Distiller. The icon is painted in the duck egg blue traditionally used to signify the first filling of a cask in the distillery.

An outer crafted from solid wood is naturally beautiful, while the longstanding use of copper pot distillation inspired the copper detailing. Inside a Midleton Very Rare pattern applied to linen narrates the whiskey making process, while a recessed pocket houses a certificate of authenticity. The outer box, black band and certificate, all feature soft curved edges, linking to the bottle profile.