Nude Brand Creation wins two gold awards at Spirits Design Masters 2016
Design and branding agency Nude Brand Creation scooped two gold awards at the Spirits Design Masters 2016, winning the Gin category for The Newmarket Gin and the Scotch Whisky category for Ballantine’s 21 Year Old Signature Oak Edition - European Oak.
When pretty works in packaging design
The Newmarket Gin celebrates the history of racing at Newmarket and was created for the Bedford Lodge Hotel and Spa by Master Distiller John Walters, who runs an independent small batch copper pot distillery three miles from Newmarket.
The hotel, based in Newmarket, Suffolk, was built as a hunting lodge in 1820 for the Duke of Bedford and has passed through the hands of many well-known racehorse owners since then.
The packaging design created by Nude is inspired by the Newmarket racecourse, as well as English photographer Eadweard Muybridge’s pioneering work in the study of the running horse. The frosted glass gives a tactile feel and provides a binocular window to spy the running horses on the back of the glass. The horse featured is last year’s winner of the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. As light refracts through the liquid, a sense of movement is given to the illustration, bringing it to life.
The paper label at the base of the bottle bears the signature of Master Distiller John Walters, as well as information about the crafting of the spirit, displayed in a way that is reminiscent of old horse race betting slips. The bottle is sealed with a real wooden stopper.
Nude Partner Bernard Gormley says: “The shade of leather on the leather collar is the historic Newmarket Tan, once used by traders to determine the destination of carriages during its days as a major market town.
“Each collar is handmade in Newmarket by Gibson’s Saddlers, founded in the early 1900s and is now a family owned company. Gibson's supply racing colours to Her Majesty Queen. The stitch detailing and metal button echo the craft of leather riding equipment and the ribbon tag is in the Newmarket stripe used for equine blankets.”
A collector’s whisky
Nude’s packaging design for Ballantine’s 21-Year-Old Signature Oak Edition - European Oak, also took home a gold award.
Skilfully crafted by Chivas Brothers’ Director of Blending, Sandy Hyslop, the limited edition whisky showcases the characteristics and flavours that European oak contributes to the original 21 Year Old blend.
The new expression is exclusive to Global Travel Retail and is designed to be a collector’s item for whisky enthusiasts.
Nude, the branding and design consultancy for Ballantine’s, drew inspiration from the the warm, rich colours of the European oak.
These characteristics played an important role in bringing to life a real wood feel for the packaging and label, which features tasting notes from Chivas Brothers’ Director of Blending. For a premium finish, Nude created copper bands using a combination of hot foil and debossing techniques to suggest an authentic barrel impression.
Gormley adds: “The characteristics of the wood were central to the product story so it was important to reflect this in the design and tasting notes. Key Ballantine’s design cues, such as the crest and band foot label, were retained to ensure consistency and a prestige appearance for consumers.
“It is a privilege to work alongside Ballantine’s as their brand guardian for the ultra-premium range in what has been a long and lasting partnership.”
The results of the Spirits Design Masters were announced at the Global Spirits Masters, organised by The Spirits Business.
