Award-Winning Packaging Design Enhances Old 55 Product Launch | Beverage

4/20/2023

RRD’s packaging experts develop custom box for Old 55 Distillery, take home honors at Gold Leaf Awards

CHALLENGE

For generations, Indiana-based Old 55 Distillery has produced small-batch, fine whiskey reflecting their Midwestern heritage. While developing retail packaging for their 100% sweet corn bourbon, the brand sought an external partner to help provide structural conception, design, graphical finishing, and material selection support. 

Old 55 wanted to create a rigid box with visual and tactile elements, and desired packaging that would both protect the product and provide a unique brand experience. They sought physical product support to ensure careful handling, as well as secure placement to prevent the bottle from twisting while packaged.  

Ultimately, the brand needed guidance and design expertise to create packaging that would both uphold their brand persona and protect their premium product.

SOLUTION

Old 55 called upon RRD’s Packaging Solutions to bring their vision to life. Structural design and material exploration were critical steps toward realizing the Old 55’s ultimate vision. RRD designed and deployed a rigid box with sleeves, achieving the brand’s objective of creating a presentation piece that is also protective. 

Substrate selection was a key component of design, as Old 55 wanted to provide consumers with a luxurious feel. They also wanted their logo to stand out prominently on the packaging. After presenting the client with several different special treatment options for the logo, a sophisticated foil stamping was selected. 

The box’s interior foam structure is unobtrusive enough to maintain the desired presentation, but also provides thorough protection to the bottle inside.  A ribbon pull tab enables an intuitive opening experience and the packaging fit and selected substrates allow for a smooth slide while unboxing. The placement and length of the ribbon pull were important details, as consistency and adequate grasp were critical.

RESULTS

RRD’s packaging solution exceeded the brand’s expectations and led to the product selling out quicker than expected. The resulting box provided the brand visibility, luxurious feel, and product protection Old 55 desired.

Additionally, the design won an award at the 2022 Gold Leaf Awards hosted by The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA). Old 55’s packaging was honored in the "Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Rigid Box (Best Engineered)" category.