O-I designs premium packaging for blended Scotch

The Famous Grouse has launched a premium version in new glass packaging developed by Owens-Illinois (O-I), which features a host of new innovations.

The new pack, for The Famous Grouse Mellow Gold, will also be introduced across all main sizes of the parent brand.

The two initiatives have been designed to capitalise on the growth in premium blended whisky, and challenge perceptions around Blended Scotch.

O-I has been lead developer on most sizes in the portfolio and has produced the first 70cl bottles to come to market.

O-I pioneered narrow neck press and blow (NNPB) lightweight glass production at Alloa for the Scotch whisky industry back in the mid 1990s.

This container for The Famous Grouse is the first lightweight design made at the plant using the more traditional blow:blow process.

Scott Gibb, UK Commercial Lead for O-I, said, “This is an exceptionally light container for the blow:blow process.

“Several glassmakers have lighter standards, but we believe no one has ever made such a complex, shaped and engraved spirits bottle at 420g before.

“It required very careful parison design to ensure good glass distribution, but our mould designers are specialists in their craft who can achieve this.”

The new packaging is part of an ambitious redevelopment plan that will bring significant changes to the extended family range for The Famous Grouse.

It echoes the brand’s roots but with a more contemporary twist.

Combined with the new look bottle shape, a more premium closure and metallised paper, the finished pack will deliver real standout for the brand.

John Penman, Marketing Controller at Maxxium UK, said, “The new look for The Famous Grouse has been developed in response to consumer demand for higher quality packaging, and will further differentiate the brand from our competitors.

“The changes to our range will also extend to The Black Grouse, which is set to be launched later this year.”

As well as revised labelling, the new bottle has many features which are a calling card for the glassmaker’s art: a high punt to facilitate easy, drip free pouring, a stepped heel, and a tall neck above very angular shoulders.

The most striking feature is the Grouse eyebrow arcing across the top of the body and crafted in glass to mirror the curve of the label.

The Matthew Gloag signature, embossed across the base of the bottle, completes the look.

The crispness of the embossing matches that achieved using the NNPB process.

The first commercial use of the design is for the The Famous Grouse Mellow Gold - carefully crafted by Master Blender Gordon Motion to deliver a subtly sweeter, mellow flavour.

It is available across the UK at a RRP of £22.