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This Whiskey Packaging Gives a True Taste of Prohibition Era

by Theresa Christine Johnson on 03/29/2017 | 3 Minute Read

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Now this is a whiskey. Inspired by prohibition-era whiskey bottles, David Cole Creative has designed the impeccable Minor Case Rye Whiskey. Everything—from the font choices to the slightly yellowed label, the embossed glass to the copper accents—truly transports the consumer to a completely different time and place.

“Minor Case Rye Whiskey is produced by Limestone Branch Distillery, in Lebanon Kentucky. Limestone Branch was founded and is operated by seventh-generation distillers, Steve and Paul Beam, of the legendary whiskey-producing family. This package is based on an original David Cole Creative bottle structure design, The Outlaw, the shape of which was inspired by prohibition-era pint whiskey bottles.”

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“Minor Case Beam, an ancestor of both Limestone Branch founders, produced whiskey in the late 1800s and early 1900s. His original monogram was used as inspiration for the updated version of the mark which is molded into the glass.”

“The primary paper labels are letterpress printed on non-adhesive stock and hand glued to each bottle, giving them a visual and tactile quality that just can’t be faked through any other print process. The extra-heavy weight of the paper, the deep, crisp embossing and ultra-precise registration simply cannot be duplicated by digital, flexographic or other web-fed, roll label printing technologies.”

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“The cast-iron antique printing presses used to create these labels are from the same era as the brand’s namesake and inspiration. Most producers aren’t willing to go to the trouble required to apply hand-made labels in this way. It’s a testament to the dedication of the Beam brothers to take no shortcuts that they are willing to invest the extra handwork at every step of the process.”

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Designed by: David Cole Creative

Bottle structure design, identity, label design & photos: David Cole Creative

Letterpress labels printed: Monica Kass Rogers, Allegra Printing

Neck & back labels: Labels West

Custom-molded bottle production: VetroElite

Country: United States