The Donn: A Mythology-Inspired Whiskey Design Triumph

Unveiling the Award-Winning Design of The Donn by Tiago Russo and Katia Martins

The Donn, named after the Celtic god of the dead, is a single malt Irish whiskey that tells a captivating story through its design. The bottle's geometric structure is inspired by the rock formations of Bull Rock in Ireland, associated with the mythological dwelling of Donn. The design's inverted elevating geometry symbolizes the conquering of Tech Duinn and The Donn, creating a visual narrative that is both compelling and unique.

As the first retail-tailored product from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., The Donn focuses on how a single vessel can tell its own story. The bottle's faceted, angular shape, with a large, solid base, reflects the whiskey's colours in every direction. The design's divergent shape and enlarged shoulder act like a freestanding monument, allowing a recessed gap for easy handling and a smooth pour. The experience box, with its see-through section and similar angled geometry, further elevates the vessel's design.

The Donn's packaging is a sensorial experience embedded with dark oak, leather, and rose gold details. The faceted shaping of the bottle has inspired a similar angular and transparent window, teasing the viewer onto the natural shades of the whiskey whilst bursting all the light refractions through. The design's focus on aesthetics, mythology, ergonomics, and sensorial experience creates a singular moment of introspection and appreciation.

The design process for The Donn, which took nearly two years, was focused on creating a product that could stand out in the competitive retail whiskey market. The result is a disruptive, eye-catching design that stays true to the brand’s ultra-premium look and feel. The Donn symbolizes the youngest of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. range, a gateway to the core values of the brand and an immersive experience around this or any product that CIWC develops.

The Donn's design success was recognized with a Golden A' Packaging Design Award in 2023. The award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics. The Donn is a testament to the power of innovative design in creating a unique and captivating product.