Designer Drams: Aberlour Unveils Its Chicago-Inspired Bottle Box

Just in time for fall and scotch sipping weather, Aberlour Single Malt Scotch Whisky has unveiled its newest expression, Aberlour Single Cask No. 22112, housed in a limited edition, Chicago-inspired liquor box. The 15 Year Old first-fill bourbon barrel-matured single malt scotch whisky is available exclusively in Illinois.

To create the honorary packaging, Aberlour partnered with the Design Museum of Chicago to produce the Designing Louder Than Words competition in which they asked local designers, architects, and creators to design a box that both safely holds a bottle of scotch and was somehow inspired by the “Windy City.” Tanner Woodford, founder and executive director of the Design Museum of Chicago, believed a partnership with Aberlour was an excellent fit in light of the brand’s forward-thinking ethos, saying “Chicago is complex, nuanced, and honest – not unlike single malt Scotch whisky.” Over 70 designers from across the globe submitted entries, and what they created is a series of beautiful, one-of-a-kind tributes to the Midwestern city.

“Every submission to this competition was more impressive than the previous, and together they tell a story of a talented, thoughtful, and creative design community,” Woodford said, adding “we feel strongly the winning bottle box encompasses the complex and nuanced spirit of our city in functional and beautiful ways.”

In the end, local architectural designer Taylor Mentzer won the contest with her Scorch.Box piece chosen by an esteemed jury of architects and designers – including Tanner Woodford and Lauren Boegen of the Design Museum of Chicago, Charles Adler of Lost Arts, Jennifer Park of AIA and Jurassic Studio, Jamie Koval of Cooler Screens, and Emily Arden Wells of Five O’Clock Creative.

A charred black solid wood base draws inspiration from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 while elegant, flowing gold accents resemblant of brass are a tribute to both Lake Michigan and Chicago jazz. In designing an intricate work of art representative of the city’s rich cultural diversity and history, Taylor explains “As a local to Chicago, I wanted my Scorch.Box piece to capture and showcase an innovative spirit that combined the essences of Aberlour as a masterfully crafted Scotch and Chicago as a creative city.”

As bold as the box that houses it, the amber gold Aberlour Single Cask No. 22112 is bottled at cask-strength, delivering one-of-a-kind characteristics that depart from Aberlour’s traditional sherry forward portfolio. Its bold taste is derived from 15 years aged exclusively in a single, first-fill American Oak bourbon barrel, imparting bright and indulgent flavors of rich vanilla custard, white chocolate, green apples and blackcurrant jam.

A must for any whisky aficionado or lover of Chicago, the new spirit and limited edition packaging can be found at select fine wine and spirits shops only in Illinois (SRP: $250.00 / 750ml). For more information about Aberlour visit www.aberlour.com and follow at @aberlour_us.