Cape Hauy Whisky

A dream brief for a whisky needed to appeal to connoisseurs globally, particularly China and Australia, and be premium, desirable, natural, contemporary and unique amongst traditional “Scotch-inspired” competitors, and reflect its Tasmanian home.

The coastline of Tasmania is unique given the proliferation of dolerite; the largest surface exposure of dolerite in the world is found in Tasmania: 40% of the island’s landscape. One of the spectacular features of dolerite is its steep columnar cliffs. Dolerite has a huge influence on the soil which in turn influences the Tasmanian-grown grain which imparts a unique floral note.

The extraordinary and sculptural dolerite cliffs were our inspiration. Each innovative stopper was produced from a reconstituted stone material, rough-hewn to emulate the stone formations, texture and colour. The typography has been stacked vertically to mirror the tall columnar cliffs and language reflects the artisanal nature of the product. “Made by Tasmania” on the back speaks to the 100% Tasmanian ingredients and the influence of the landscape and terroir on the liquid.

An off-the-shelf bottle was customised with a grey vignette, connecting back to dolerite, progressing to clear to show off the beauty of the liquid. The gift box was made of 100% recycled pulp, with the dolerite columns blind embossed. The distillery features art sculptures that emulate the dolerite, as does the website and collateral.