SINGAPORE — Creative agency Leo Burnett Singapore and beverage company Beam Suntory has launched a whimsical design project, inspired by the Year of the Rabbit, but with a Singaporean twist thanks to illustrator Erika Tay.
This Lunar New Year, Beam Suntory invites everyone into the stunning world of Bowmore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The new, special edition packaging features a stunning illustration of the Bowmore distillery and history while incorporating traditional Chinese elements.
“As a Scottish brand that’s lesser known in Asia, this packaging concept allows for the Asia region to gain familiarity of Bowmore with the Water Rabbit as a guide. We drew inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, where following the white rabbit leads you through a portal to discover an extraordinary, new world. In a similar manner, we’ve used the keyhole from the iconic Bowmore vault padlock as the gateway into the rich and mesmerizing universe of Bowmore,” said Leo Burnett Singapore Executive Creative Director Sharim Gubbels.
The illustration, created with Singaporean illustrator Erika Tay, incorporates elements that define Bowmore whisky such as the distillery sitting atop a swell of waves, the barley, casks, and peat smoke. The illustrations appear to burst out of the keyhole to symbolize the gateway into the history and legend that awaits within the Bowmore World. The design also features the dynamism and elegance of the Water Rabbit, this year’s Zodiac animal, with the style taking inspiration from traditional brushstrokes of Chinese paintings which focus on flow and fluidity.
The 2023 special edition packaging for the Lunar New Year range features the Core 12-year-old bottle (available in Canada only), the 12-year-old Sherry bottle (China only), and an exclusive Global Travel Retail 18-year-old bottle (Travel Retail only). It will be on sale during the month of January leading up to the Lunar New Year.
CREDITS:
Sharim Gubbels – Executive Creative Director
Janath Gamage – Senior Art Director
Kriffith Fernando – Copywriter
Agnes Lee – Head of Art
Adela Andrei – Group Account Director
Syazwani Soenar – Senior Account Manager
Arielle Brustein – Head of Planning
Jackie Lim – Head of Print Production
Lawrence Ling – Print Producer
Joice Lee – Print Manager
Ricky Haryadi – Senior Retoucher
Erika Tay – Illustrator
Thomas Quak – 3D Artist
Callista Koh – Project Manager
Laura Lim – Operations Director
