The Orkney Distillery is rounding off the year in style, with a revamped bottle design and expansion plans in the pipeline.
The Kirkwall-based business has launched bespoke new packaging for its award-winning Kirkjuvagr Gin, and a project to install a bottling line at the distillery will help increase production of its range.
The new bottles have been designed in partnership with Stoelzle Flaconnage, an industry leader in premier spirits packaging, and feature several nods to Orkney's Norse heritage, a key part of the Orkney Distillery story.
The full Orkney Distilling range - Kirkjuvagr, Arkh Angell, Aurora and Beyla
The brand’s strapline, 'Unmistakably Orcadian', is engraved on the lip of each bottle and the Norse word ‘Afl’ is found written around the neck in Runes, which translates as 'strong', showcasing the Kirkjuvagr brand’s strength of connection to Orkney, both culturally and historically. The company's unique repeating wave pattern forms the body of the bottle, symbolising the seafaring traditions of the islands and the bold, exploratory spirit of Orcadians.
The Vegvisir, the mythical Norse compass, is stamped into the bottle and etched on top of the bottle closures. The company’s key marque, this ancient Viking wayfinder was said to possess home-bearing powers. The literal meaning of the Vegvisir, 'He who holds this compass will find his way home' is a hidden detail inscribed in the bottle’s base.
The new look Kirkjuvagr bottles are just the latest stage of development for the distillery. Summer-inspired Harpa Gin will be discontinued, with the origin Kirkjuvagr Gin and Arkh Angell to be joined in 70cl bottles by Beyla and Aurora. Meanwhile the installation of a bottling line at the distillery's Kirkwall harbourfront home will help increase production capacity so the gins can be sold in larger markets worldwide.
“We’ve been continually developing the company now for almost six years," said Orkney Distilling Limited's 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 package you now see really captures our story and helps us reinforce our prominent position within Scotland’s fantastic array of craft gin brands."
The updated range of Kirkjuvagr Gins is available directly via the distillery, from premium spirits distributors and independent retailers.