2025 Whisky Packaging Design Masters Award Winners

Excellent spirits packaging not only attracts attention but also conveys the image of the origin and the spirit of craftsmanship, deepening the drinker's connection with the liquid. The Design and Packaging Masters competition, part of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions organized by The Spirits Business, is founded on this concept. Every year, the judging panel examines bottle designs from the industry, focusing on aesthetics, practicality, sustainability, and commercial acumen. Only a select few works receive the highest level, the "Master" award.

This year, four whiskies successfully clinched the "Master" distinction. Each bottle stood out due to its uniqueness, demonstrating how thoughtful design and exquisite distilling craftsmanship complement each other. The judging criteria covered appearance, usability, clarity of information, and sustainability, while also evaluating how the product communicates its uniqueness through shape, material, color, and detail. This year's judging panel consisted of six experts, including Melita Kiely and Diogo Lopes. They view packaging as an art, aiming to honor designs that exhibit exceptional craftsmanship.

The winning whiskies include:

1. **Eden Mill The Art of St Andrews 2025** This expression embodies Eden Mill's creative spirit in transforming from a brewery to a distillery. The liquid was finished in Amontillado sherry casks, offering flavors of roasted malt and almond. Its packaging features a sunrise illustration by Scottish artist Deborah Phillips, reflecting the distillery's evolution. Judges praised it as "gorgeous, elegant, yet individual."

2. **15 STARS First West Series** This series marks a new chapter for 15 STARS, combining their own distilled and sourced Kentucky Bourbon whiskey, emphasizing heirloom corn and delicate blending techniques. The design is inspired by early Kentucky whiskey bottles, cleverly blending vintage style with modern flair. The attention to detail received high acclaim.

3. **Midleton Very Rare 2025 Vintage Release** Timed for the 200th anniversary of the Old Midleton Distillery, this whiskey was blended by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman from a forty-year inventory. The flavor profile is soft, featuring notes of fruit and spice. Its packaging achieves an elegant and luxurious visual effect through a simple, understated design style.

4. **Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Chapter Six** As the final chapter of the Silent Distillery series, this is a rare liquid distilled in the early 1970s and aged for 50 years. It is housed in a hand-blown Waterford Crystal decanter, presented in a display cabinet crafted from six different types of wood, each representing a chapter in the series. Judges lauded it as an "impeccable, thoughtful design experience."

2025-12-08 Source | https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-awards/award-winning-whisky-design-meet-the-4-master-bottles-of-2025/