6 Spirits and Wines with Standout Bottle Designs

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In some instances, wines or spirits—be they tequila, whisky, or rum—are bottled beautifully but are disappointing when it comes to taste. Others are pleasing on the palate but uninspired in their presentation. Ideally, what you’re imbibing on shouldn’t miss a beat when it comes to either, and with the growing number of brands that offer design-worthy bottling as notable as the drink itself, the chances of that happening are becoming more likely than not.

“Packaging has always been a critical element of marketing wines and spirits, but bottle designs have definitely gotten more creative in the last few years,” says Michael Anstendig, a spirits and wine expert and the coauthor of the book The Japanese Art of the Cocktail. Brands are investing in their packaging, he says, in order to have a point of differentiation in a market that’s increasingly competitive. “Even if a wine or spirit is top quality, consumers see its bottles first when they’re at bars and restaurants or in liquor stores,” adds Anstendig. “It’s an element that matters more and more. Plus, these bottles are meant to be keepsakes.”

The new tequila brand Patsch is an example of a spirit that wins marks in both taste and design. The three expressions—blanco, reposado, and añejo—are in a provocative glass decanter that has a balloon shaped bottle, knuckle holder handle, and a spiked crown cap. Cofounder Martin Schapira, who designed the bottle, says he was inspired by fashion and his love of beautiful objects. “I looked to the late Alexander McQueen and the spikes and knuckles on many of his purses, which I really like,” he says.

Patsch’s tequilas are produced in one of Mexico’s top distilleries, which crafts the spirit without additives and using only organic, fully-ripened Blue Weber agave. All of these tequilas work in cocktails, but they’re a luxury product that is best enjoyed—at least in our opinion—as a sipping drink, either neat or on the rocks.

From tequila to mezcal, Clase Azul has a Mezcal Guerrero that’s produced in the namesake region in Mexico and rich in citrus and tobacco notes. The vivid decanter is hard to miss and handcrafted in a process that takes two weeks. Covered in a four-petal flower motif and with a lacquered cap that bears the image of a hummingbird, the design was inspired by the strength of Guerrero’s women and mythical references deeply rooted in the area.

Moving on to whisky, the storied Scottish brand Glenmorangie recently released a limited edition version of their 18-year-old scotch in collaboration with the acclaimed Japanese floral artist Azuma Makoto. Its black case is covered in 100 blooms and confetti-like petals as is the label. Then there’s the expressions themselves: with aromas of dried fruits, they have notes of honey, walnuts, and figs, and a buttery mouthfeel. This roundup also includes two champagnes—bubblies that we’d be happy to uncork at any given chance.

La Grande Dame, by Veuve Clicquot, is a collaboration with the world-renowned Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama, from 2012. The vintage bottle comes in a gift box with an image of a flower and splashed with her trademark polka dots—the bottle’s yellow label keeps with the dot theme. The champagne is effervescent and fresh with pops of sugar and almonds.

And then there’s Ruinart’s new environmentally friendly second skin case, made of 100% natural wood fibers and completely recyclable. It’s an option for the nonvintage Blanc de Blanc and rose expressions—our personal favorite is the latter, which has distinct berry notes and touches of mint.

The last honor on our list goes to the family-owned rose wine brand Bodvár—House of Rosés. The founders, Bodvar and Ann Hafstrom, were keen on an aesthetic for their bottles that embodied their five elegant pink-hued wines. “We love to take inspiration from the perfume industry rather than our more traditional wine industry,” says Ann. The Bodvár No. 5, as an example, has a slender shape and wider shoulders while the No. 7 has a rounder body and lean neck. All the wines are refreshing, but some are creamier while others are light and floral-like.

These distinctive designs will allow you to appreciate the spirits and wines in the six bottles we’ve highlighted so much more. And we hope, like us, that you hang onto their not-so-ordinary presentations long after the alcohol is gone.

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