Filip's Freaky Friday

 

Hedonism The Muse

Blended Grain Scotch Whisky

Inspired by the woman featured on the label of our first-ever bottling.
A recognition of women in whisky from Compass Box for International Women’s Day 2018.

 

As an ardent admirer of Stranger & Stranger and concurrently as a graphic designer and whisky enthusiast, with aspirations of potentially owning a distillery in the near future, I was profoundly moved by this particular piece of design.

From the very moment I first laid eyes on this exceptional label, I was captivated. My initial reaction was one of sheer astonishment, prompting me to inquire, "How did they conceive such a remarkable idea? What was the precise methodology employed in crafting this label? And what did the overall design process entail?"
This is precisely one of the most remarkable facets of examining the portfolio of Stranger & Stranger. Just when you believe they have exhausted the capacity to astonish, they resolutely uphold their motto: "DON'T FIT IN. STAND OUT."

I deeply appreciate the concept of women serving as muses and fountains of inspiration in the lives of men. As a venerable poet once eloquently expressed, "Women are our most miraculous muse, an enchanted intangibility that nurtures all art." The collaboration between Compass Box and Stranger & Stranger is an extraordinary homage to women. The label is an exquisite amalgamation of embossed, golden-hued pewter and strategically positioned printed elements—the visage of a woman and a hand cradling a purple flower, which subtly emerges as the focal point of the label.
The intricately embossed details adorning the upper section of the label, particularly the "crown" adorning the woman's head—more aptly described as compass elements—held me in rapt fascination. The embossed elements of this label render it exceptionally tactile, a quality I deem paramount in crafting a memorable and distinctive experience. The countenance of the woman exudes a serene and soothing aura, reminiscent of the works of classical painters like Botticelli—an aspect that I find profoundly intriguing.

While the bottle itself assumes the classic appearance of a Scotch whisky vessel, the inclusion of an embossed compass detail positioned between the neck and the label adds an elegant and distinctive touch to the overall presentation.

In conclusion, "Hedonism the Muse" is undoubtedly one of those labels that etches itself indelibly upon one's memory. Once you have beheld it, you cannot simply unsee it. As a designer, I aspire to craft labels of this caliber in the future. In my humble estimation, this exemplifies the kind of design that inspires fellow designers, fueling their determination to continually elevate their craft to the exemplary standard set by Stranger & Stranger.