Strategic design and innovation company Seymourpowell has unveiled its packaging and brand identity work for Black Juniper Gin, the latest launch from Silent Pool Distillers.

Silent Pool Distillers launched in 2014 on the Albury Estate in the heart of the Surrey Hills, with a vision of creating hand-crafted premium spirits that capture the essence of England’s beautiful rural landscape. The crystal clear water from the spring-fed Silent Pool provides constant inspiration to the distillers in their quest for the purest and sustainably produced spirits.

Black Juniper Gin is the latest launch from Silent Pool Distillers. This ultra-premium gin is made from the rarest and purest black juniper found only in Bhutan. Bhutan is the only carbon-negative country in the world and home to the purest air in the world, allowing the black juniper berries to develop and ripen in abundance.

The gin celebrates Bhutanese heritage – specifically the fragrant smoke, juniper and tea elements associated with the Himalayan Puja ritual, a ceremony for climbers and sherpas beginning an intrepid climb to the summit of a mountain.

Production begins with the smoking of the black juniper with oud. Rare teas, spices, Nepalese Cherry Blossom, manuka and olive leaves come together to amalgamate the distinctive flavours of pine-rich juniper with perfumed and smoky pepper notes.

The result is a gin which is truly rich and complex, a luxurious experience to be enjoyed sipping.  Simply pour a single serving over ice.

The packaging design for Silent Pool Black Juniper Gin transports you from the quintessential hills of Surrey to the formidable Himalayan mountains of the Kingdom of Bhutan – a beautiful celebration of classic dry gin with contemporary influences.

At the heart of the Silent Pool Black Juniper Gin lies the commitment to perfection and attention to detail. The bottle and graphics are a work of passion, featuring a striking bottle embellishment emulating the gentle ripples of the renowned Silent Pool. The burnished copper accents and embossed neck detail, adorned with the familiar Silent Pool Gin illustrative assets, lend an air of sophistication and luxury to this exceptional spirit.

The creative inspiration is centred around the rare Bhutanese juniper berry, brought to life through the hand-applied jewel ‘button’ relief. All design elements emanate from this centrepiece and the surrounding ripples mark a nod to the merging of the two worlds. The copper bottle coaster acts as a presentation plinth to proudly display the beauty of the bottle. Embossed within the copper lies the heritage of the distiller, etched into the surface. This provenance is echoed in the decorative collar detail. A unique and distinctive overclosure finalises the special ritualistic nature of the consumption moment.

Our new design needed to proudly and eloquently stand apart from the other products in the existing range and be specifically targeted at the gifting occasion. In order to do this, we selected a colour palette that was inspired by indulgence but also derivative of the luminous colours of the hero ingredient.

Allison Spence, Creative Director, Brand, Seymourpowell comments: “Our ambition for the design of Black Juniper Gin was to create a unique, luxurious identity that reflects the existing sophistication of the Silent Pool Gin brand, whilst taking new inspiration from the rare juniper berries that form the basis of the new spirit.”

Spence continues, “We wanted the packaging to take you on a journey from the Surrey Hills to the crisp air of the Himalayan mountains, where the purest black juniper berries grow.”

Ian McCulloch, Founder Silent Pool Distillers commented: “It has been a pleasure to work once again with Seymourpowell on our latest spirit launch. Their depth of understanding for our brand alongside their passion for the heritage and ritual behind Black Juniper Gin’s origin and exceptional flavour has been invaluable in the design process, helping us to bring Black Juniper Gin to life with a distinctive bottle and packaging that emulates The Silent Pool.”