Christmas has come early for Avallen Calvados, which has picked up two prestigious industry awards as well as announcing partnerships with Fortnum and Mason and Ocado. This innovative brand is shaking things up with its ‘bee positive’ messaging and sustainable design.
Avallen’s creative agency, Wonderworks Communications Ltd, has been awarded the top prize of ‘Master’ for their design work on the new brand, which launched in May this year. The award was announced at the Spirits Business Design & Packaging Masters 2019 at the Annual Spirits Business Awards lunch at Fredericks, London on Monday 2 December. Avallen has also won the sought-after Spirits Business Award 2019 for Innovation in Packaging Award, announced at The Ivy, Covent Garden.
Avallen lovers can now also enjoy purchasing their favourite tipple from prestigious Fortnum and Mason stores, as well as part of their weekly online shop from Ocado, starting at £35 RRP. Avallen continues to be stocked through specialist e-commerce platform, Master of Malt, for UK wide distribution.
Ahead of the launch of Avallen Calvados in May, the founders Stephanie Jordan and Tim Etherington-Judge had a very clear mission in mind: to create one of the most environmentally positive spirits and boost wild bee populations in the markets where it is sold.
They have put their mission and sustainability at the heart of everything they do and it was vital to them that their packaging reflected these values. They appointed top-design and communications agency Wonderworks, who they tasked with creating a brand and packaging which encapsulated the vision and connected with consumers to drive sales and create an emotional connection with the fight to save the bees.
Stephanie Jordan commented:
“Everything about our branding and design is in-keeping with our core ethos of environmental positivity, so we are delighted that the beautiful and compelling designs that Wonderworks have created have been recognised and held in high acclaim for their design and packaging. They are professional, creative and understand the drinks industry wholeheartedly.”
Sarah Wildman-King from Wonderworks explains more about the winning design:
“The design has been developed to hit the drinker between the eyes, demanding that they take a closer look, sample, and fall in love with the brand, its mission and the liquid. The label is has delicate illustrations that tell the story of the bees that are such an important part of creating juicy apples ripe for crafting a fresh calvados. All the components from the bottle, which is sourced from a glass manufacturer near the Normandy Distillery where Avallen is produced to help reduce the carbon footprint, to the cork and label paper stock, are chosen because of their strong sustainability credentials.”
The labels are made from recycled apple pulp, the only brand to use “Apple Touch” paper. The branding has been extended to promotional activity including the Beeboms, “flower powered weapons of mass pollination” – tiny packages of wild flower seeds used to encourage Avallen’s consumers to plant to help bees to thrive in their area.
Avallen is distributed in the UK through premium spirits importer and distributer, Mangrove UK.
Nick Gillet, MD at Mangrove said:
“At Mangrove UK we endeavour to bring brands like Avallen to the market. They are leading the revival of a heritage spirit and doing so in an ethical and sustainable way, which research shows is a growing requirement for consumers. We’d like to congratulate both Avallen and Wonderworks on these awards, which I’m certain, will be the first of many.”
The Spirits Business holds The Design & Packaging Masters as part of its internationally renowned Global Spirits Masters series. Each entry into The Design & Packaging Masters is judged by a panel of experts.
www.avallenspirits.com www.mangroveuk.com www.wearewonderworks.com