Atlas Branding worked with this Michigan small-batch distiller, Iron Shoe Distillery, to re- imagine a design system that elevated their packaging while sharing their deep-rooted value of community.
Their grains are all locally sourced within 10 miles of the distillery from Michigan-based farms in their community. The intricate embossed and foil-printed engraving illustration depicts a spirited, robust horse biting on an apple blossom, the state’s flower. As equestrians and farm owners in their own right, we worked with Iron Shoe’s founders to honor the agrarian life while balancing the complexities of a refined and elegant design experience that remained approachable and relevant to their local customers.
The label’s denim blue background was intentionally selected to contrast with the warm, rich gold foil while conjuring subliminal imagery of a hard day’s work wearing your favorite worn-in pair of jeans. The label’s badge shape feels reminiscent of a belt buckle, and the horse is nestled within gold medallions that share unique attributes about the brand.
All spirits in this collection share the same neck and badge labels while rotating out their asymmetric spirit labels customized per batch to share a specific burnt color, distilling details, and flavor notes.
