Compass Box, founded in 2000 by John Glaser, has long been revered by blended scotch whisky lovers for its transparent approach to whisky blending and bottling. Despite landing in hot water with the Scotch Whisky Association for said approach, Compass Box has remained steadfast in its belief that consumers deserve to know what they are drinking and should be able to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into each bottle of Compass Box whisky.
The company is also renowned for its unique and beautiful packaging, as Mark discussed in a recent article. Whilst almost every bottle of Compass Box whisky is stunning, nothing embodies the combination of craftsmanship and artistry, for me, more than Whisky & Ink. Released in 2015, the bottle pushes the boundaries of label design, making Whisky & Ink the perfect collector’s item. Let’s talk about it. You can buy your bottle of Compass Box Whisky & Ink on The Whiskey Wash Shop for $4,216, with free shipping to over 40 U.S. states.
The Whisky In Compass Box Whisky & Ink
Compass Box Whisky & Ink, like every Compass Box bottling, tells you exactly what is in your glass. “A sherry-cask aged single malt from Dailuaine Distillery complements the toasty oak and spice character from the new-French oak-aged Clynelish, and is combined with some lovely grain whisky from Ayrshire,” says the label.
Any scotch whisky enthusiast’s ear will have pricked up at the mention of Clynelish. The Highland distillery has garnered a huge following over the years, not only due to its high-quality whisky but also due to its fascinating shared history with Brora Distillery.
The Whisky & Ink label also provides the drinker with some tasting notes: “An initial aroma of cinnamon, followed by aromas of baked spice, Graham flour, fruit cookie and dried fruits. Full on the palate, with the aromas blossoming into wine-like (sherry) fruit. A long finish, a long echo.”
Bottled as a small batch at 45% ABV, only 300 bottles of Whisky & Ink were ever produced, making this an incredibly rare expression.
“Ink Makes Us Think”
There is no denying that Compass Box Whisky & Ink has incredibly striking decoration. With beautiful gold foiling and embossing, the Art Deco-style label makes the bottle stand out from the crowd.
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Collotype Labels UK is responsible for Whisky & Ink’s packaging, utilizing unique printing techniques to create a label that exudes luxury, echoing the profile of the whisky inside the bottle.
Inside the tube, there is an individually numbered leaflet that explains the varying techniques used to create the label. These include flat bed hot foil embossing, multiple foiling, hand-stripped cutouts, and a resin seal unique to Collotype Labels UK.
Elif Yontucu of Compass Box commented: “We trust [Colltype’s] ability to overcome the most difficult designs. Their focus on quality is admirable. They offer new solutions where necessary and do their utmost to get the best result out of any label design. We can’t ask for more!”
Why Packaging Is So Important
Packaging is the most important marketing tool for a whisky company. With so many whiskies lining the shelves of supermarkets, whisky retailers, and auction houses, it is important for producers to make their products stand out.
The way in which a product is packaged can reflect the quality of a product, further enhance the artistic representation of a brand, and contribute to a brand’s identity.
The multi-layered techniques used in the label of Compass Box Whisky & Ink showcase an unwavering dedication to quality. They could have stuck a standard label on the bottle and been done with it. Instead, Compass Box and Collotype Labels UK collaborated to make a truly unique product that exudes a luxurious look and texture.
Compass Box Whisky & Ink received rave reviews for its packaging, with Packaging of the World reporting that “Feedback from customers receiving this very special marketing piece has been very positive: “Exactly what we want to see from a leading label producer. Perfect timing as looking for something like this going forward for one of our wine brands” – Concha y Toro.”
Transparency Is Key
As discussed above, Compass Box is known in the whisky industry for its transparency with regard to blend components. Each bottle of Compass Box whisky states which whiskies have been blended to create the expression, where they are from, the percentages used, and the cask types used for maturation.
This transparency is echoed by Collotype Labels UK in the divulging of its printing techniques. As such, the two brands perfectly align to create an expression where what you see is what you get: incredible whisky and luxurious packaging.
This approach is truly what sets Compass Box apart from other whisky blends. Transparency creates trust between the brand and the consumer. Compass Box is saying ‘You can trust us, and here is why’. It is no wonder, then, that discerning whisky lovers return to Compass Box again and again.
Buy Compass Box Whisky & Ink
Compass Box Whisky & Ink is the perfect collector’s piece, demonstrating how the packaging and marketing of a product can enhance the public’s perception of this luxurious blended whisky.
You can buy Compass Box Whisky & Ink on The Whiskey Wash Shop for $4,126.