We were asked to create a limited edition, export version of Mandalay Rum - Myanmar’s iconic rum, which has been distilled and bottled in Mandalay since 1886. Currently only available in Myanmar, the export brand, known as The Governor’s Choice, was created to test the water for potential large scale product export to European, American and Asian markets. We needed to create everything from the ground up – from the bottle and packaging, to marketing collateral.

We designed a bottle inspired by old rum receptacles from the colonial period, opting to purely engrave rather than apply any form of printing, to achieve an antique and imperfect finish. The typography was drawn to be evocative of the era, whilst the pattern work was inspired from carvings found at ancient Mandalay temples. To accompany the bottle we created the Mandalay Gazette, a parody of a colonial outpost broadsheet. We populated it with humorous content and stories imbued with Mandalay Rum. The Gazette became the bottle wrap, and was repurposed to form a series of print ads as well as posters. We also crafted bespoke coasters for bar promotions that feature the illustrative elements from the bottle along with labels and stickers that highlight the brand elements & visual style.