Thursday 11 July 2013

PR #12: New Zealand Whisky Company launches design competition for 25yo Single Malt

Back in January this year, Steph and I visited The New Zealand Whisky Company, who bottle and sell a huge variety of single malts and blends. Of all their whiskies, I liked the 21yo single malt the best, and took home a bottle.

Well it seems the 21yo has grown up, and is now 25yo, making NZ only the fourth nation to produce a 25 year old single malt whisky. To commemorate the occasion, and to raise funds for the ongoing rebuilding of Christchurch, the NZ Whisky Company is holding a design competition to design the bottle's label (700mL, 375mL and 150mL).

Having absolutely zero design credibility myself (have you seen this site? The only nice part is the logo...and I didn't design it) I won't be entering, but if anyone feels they have the skills...jump in!

Here's the press release:
Oamaru, New Zealand– July 7, 2013 – The New Zealand Whisky Company is thrilled to launch its 25-year-old whisky, only the fourth nation to produce a 25-year-old Single Malt. To celebrate, the company is asking creative designers worldwide to conceive its’ packaging; and all to benefit a big New Zealand charity. 
To mark this milestone, designers are invited to enter this international competition. “So much whisky is being packaged in luxurious enclosures, lavish boxes and crystal decanters nowadays, but we want something that is elegant, eye-catching and authentically New Zealand; sustainable, re-usable, perhaps even recyclable. I’m not comfortable with how much money, carbon and landfill is wasted on whisky packaging, and would love for our whisky enclosure to be re-usable and a lasting memory to a memorable malt,” Ramsay says. 
So the challenge is on for designers across universities, design agencies, art houses and more, to design a suitable bottle and box label for this exclusive release. Designers can create their own theme. It could be classic, quirky or just fun, perhaps honouring Cyril Yates who worked at the distillery for near on 25-years, ‘Cyril’s Single Malt; 25years of blood, sweat and cheers.’ 
“We really want to capture the heart of the New Zealand Whisky Collection in this label,” explains Ramsay, “in a way that pays homage to the rich heritage of our whisky and blends this with a freshly modern style. We’re so excited to see what comes through with the creative talent available in this country. We have three bottles; 700ml, 375ml and a 150ml hipflask requiring packaging.” 
Designer Prize and Donation to the Christchurch Cathedral Restoration
The winner receives international exposure as well as a complimentary trip to the Cellar Door in New Zealand; and an important New Zealand charity is also set to be a ‘winner’. 
“We’re going to be donating the design fee that we would have saved, to the Christchurch Cathedral restoration,” says Ramsay, who has a special connection with the Cathedral. “My Great Uncle was construction foreman on the Cathedral back in the 1800s, and I’m so excited to see the design competition for its restoration.” 
“I’m really hoping that the fabulous modern interpretation gets the nod. Like our whisky packaging, it would be a fresh style for a forward-looking community, while paying homage to the site’s significant history. I hope lots of Cantabrians are viewing the options and having their say at www.cathedralconversations.co.nz. 
The New Zealand Whisky Collection’s 25-year-old whisky release was distilled in 1988 at the famous Willowbank distillery in Dunedin. It has been maturing in American Oak barrels since 1987 and is a single malt whisky. [ME: Seems to be a slight discrepancy with the dates here, I'll follow up...]
Entry into Competition
Entrants are encouraged to become familiar with the New Zealand Whisky Company and gain inspiration from the World Whiskies Design Awards that are held annually. Past and present design winners can be viewed at www.worldwhiskiesdesignawards.com. 
For more information about the competition and to enter, visit www.thenzwhisky.com, The Whisky Shop in Auckland, or WhiskyGalore in Christchurch. 
Contact:
Alice Hansen
Mob: 0417818180

Cheers,
 - Martin.

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