The Tasting Vault: Brand Packaging Design

The challenge for The Tasting Vault was to create a packaging design reflecting the premium, sophisticated, and community-driven nature of their whiskey subscription service. The design needed to solve two key issues: communicating the exclusivity and luxury of the product, while offering practicality for repeated monthly deliveries of different whiskey varieties. The packaging needed to be functional yet visually compelling, enhancing the unboxing experience for consumers to share on social media. Furthermore, the design needed to accommodate 3 x 50ml whiskey bottles with flexibility for monthly variations, while remaining compact and easy to ship.

The core idea behind the design draws inspiration from the brand’s ethos of connecting people with fine spirits. The minimalist approach incorporates a modern vault symbol, subtlety referencing the monthly “drop” of whiskey, and reinforcing the idea of treasured, curated experiences delivered directly to the consumer’s door. A blend of luxury, authenticity, and community was key.

The final packaging design for The Tasting Vault strikes a perfect balance between luxury and functionality, offering a sleek unboxing experience, while showcasing the brand’s dedication to authenticity and craftsmanship. The packaging is made from 1000gsm greyboard and wrapped in black beater-dyed paper, giving it a solid, premium feel. Its rigid, hinged-lid design includes die cuts to securely hold three 50ml whiskey bottles, ensuring both safe transportation and a refined presentation.

A key feature of the design is the brand’s “V” symbol, which represents the word “Vault” and subtley incorporates a whiskey droplet within the “V,” symbolizing the monthly delivery of curated whiskey selections – their monthly drop. The tagline, “Taste. Connect. Enjoy.” captures the essence of the brand, communicating its message in a sophisticated yet friendly tone. The vault-inspired design is enhanced with gold foil debossing, giving the packaging an air of exclusivity. The ample spacing around the bottles adds to the luxury feel, while tabs ensure the bottles are easily accessible. Inside the lid, the playful message “Good Things Come in Small Packages” adds a light-hearted element, complementing the overall elegance. Social media details are included to encourage consumer engagement and help grow the brand’s online community.

Each bottle is labelled with the brandmark and whiskey details on a transparent background, allowing the whiskey’s amber hue to shine through. These labels are designed for easy updating, adapting to the monthly subscription model.

The packaging also includes a bespoke insert card with detailed information about that month’s whiskey selections, adding a personal touch. A 20-page tasting notes booklet further enriches the consumer experience, allowing customers to log their impressions and learn more about whiskey tasting. Clever phrases are used in the booklet such as “unlock a world of whiskey” to tie into the vault theme, reinforcing the brand’s identity.

The bold Causten Rounded font combines softened edges with a sophisticated tone, conveying a friendly yet premium feel to the brand.

This thoughtful and recyclable packaging design reflects the brand’s values of premium quality, authenticity, and community, offering a refined yet accessible experience that is both visually striking and highly functional.