Orcadian brand starts the year with a whole new look
THE Orkney Distillery is starting the year in style with the introduction of new-look packaging for its Kirkjuvagr Gin range.
The new design is heavily influenced by Norse mythology and tradition. The Norse word ‘Afl’ – meaning ‘strong’ – appears on the neck of the bottle, with a wave pattern forming the body, signifying the seafaring tradition of the Orkney Islands.
The mythical Norse compass, Vegvisir, also appears on the bottle. According to Norse mythology, Vegvisir was able to guide ancient Norsemen home and this meaning is conveyed on the base of the Kirkjuvagr bottle, where the message ‘He who holds this compass will find his way home’ is inscribed.
The Kirkjuvagr strapline – ‘Unmistakeably Orcadian’ – also features prominently on the new-look bottle.
In addition to updating the Kirkjuvagr packaging, the distillery has also streamlined the range. The summer-inspired Harpa gin has been discontinued, while the bottles for both the Beyla and Aurora gins have been increased from 50cl to 70cl to ensure consistency across the range.
A new bottling line is to be installed at the distillery as the company looks to increase production capacity.
“We’ve been continually developing the company now for almost six years,” said Orkney Distillery co-owner Stephen Kemp.
“A key component of our brand development plan has always been this move into the super-premium packaging category, which now aligns the package with the modernity and high quality of other aspects of the brand and the company’s operation.
“The dramatic change in circumstance caused by COVID and the lockdown created space and time for us to really focus on these projects as a team.
“We worked tirelessly for over a year to take them to fruition, and the super-premium package you now see really captures our story and helps us reinforce our prominent position within Scotland’s fantastic array of craft gin brands, whilst our new bottling line will enable us to serve larger markets.”
The updated range will be available from distributors as well as directly from the distillery.
