Supremia International, a premiums and promotional packaging specialist, has partnered with Beam Suntory, a global provider of premium spirits, to create an old-fashioned cocktail kit carrying case for Knob Creek whiskey. The eye-catching pack incorporates logistically challenging elements to help the brand stand out on crowded spirits shelves.

The concept for the promotional package is decidedly throwback: woodgrain features pay homage to the white oak barrels in which the whiskey is aged and, in addition to the liquor bottle, the case also includes an old-fashioned cocktail kit consisting of a muddler, bitters, and sugar cubes.

Among the challenges faced was fitting the packaging platform to the desired design features. Knob Creek wanted the package insert – which held all of the package’s contents in place, including the bottle – to have a slatted dark woodgrain effect to attractively contrast with the light woodgrain pattern on the trim and handle. While this is relatively easy to achieve by printing on paper, a stronger substrate was required to keep the case’s contents adequately secure.

To overcome this obstacle, Supremia worked with thermoforming specialist CMI Plastics to develop a customized, wood-textured thermoform capable of holding all components safely. To ensure the most authentic appearance possible, prototypes were drawn over actual slats of wood, which were hand-carved to accentuate the grain. This hands-on approach added to the effect once the packaging piece was thermoformed over it.

The result was a carrying case pack that won an award at the most recent Thermoforming Conference. “It took multiple attempts to get the details just right to ensure the pack came out perfectly,” says Jessica Warwick, vice president for Supremia. “This is a tremendous example of how Supremia and its partners were able to achieve a pack despite inherent challenges. Our customer at Knob Creek had a vision, and we’re thrilled to have helped them bring it to life.”