The 2018 ‘Spirit of the Year’ choses Metsä Board’s paperboard

Packaging Solutions

When developing the award winning Arctic Blue Gin, the producers wanted the taste of the gin to reflect an Arctic natural environment. The same way the ingredients are carefully selected for the gin, the material of the Arctic Blue Gin package was chosen to reflect the quality and values of the brand. Metsä Board was the choice.

‘Right from the very start, our goal was to create the best gin in the world, using the unique, premium quality ingredients from Finnish nature. Winning the title of ‘Spirit of the Year’ with a Double Gold score in the World Spirits Awards 2018 is a huge honour and proof that our hard work has paid off,’ commented Mikko Spoof, brand director for Arctic Blue Gin.

For a product of this quality the same diligent approach was applied to the choice of paperboard for the packaging. MetsäBoard Pro FBB Bright 350 g/m2 successfully met the needs of the demanding brief. It is lightweight and made from fresh fibres, traceably sourced from sustainably managed northern forests. The pure and fresh wood fibres are a renewable resource with four new seedlings planted for each harvested tree. In addition, its consistency, as well as high whiteness and smoothness, ensure excellent printability and use of special effects.

Ilkka Harju, Metsä Board’s packaging services director, explained: ‘The package was printed on the uncoated side of the paperboard to give a pure, natural feel that reflects the brand identity. In addition, some very demanding finishing techniques were used on the surface to create a 3D illusion around the printed rock scenery and multilayer embossing gives a rock-like haptic feeling. Foiling was also used to give a distinct contrast with the natural paperboard surface. Then as a final touch, packaging was printed inside the package to create maximum impact when the consumer unboxes the bottle.’

In order to achieve the impressive end result the converting was carried out by Starcke, Aldus and Pyroll in Finland.

To ensure that the Artic Blue Gin cartons arrive at the retailer in the best possible condition, the transit packaging is made from another Metsä Board paperboard, MetsäBoard Pro WKL, which provides the ideal combination of high strength with sustainability.