ABOUT

In the world of bourbon, some spirits are good, some are premium, and then there are those few that are truly legendary. Blanton's Single-Barrel Bourbon, distilled in Frankfort, Kentucky by Buffalo Trace Distillery is one of the greats. And each year, Paris' Maison du Whisky selects just four barrels to be featured at Whisky Live Paris, its internationally acclaimed event showcasing the very best of the world's finest spirits.

Each year, Blanton’s turns to COHO Creative to craft a theme, story, and special edition package for this prestigious offering. Over time, our strong partnership has evolved, providing fertile ground for the compelling stories and striking package designs that celebrate the spirit and its rich heritage. Prior themes include an homage to Blanton’s original master distiller, Colonel Blanton, as well as horse racing, bourbon craft, and more.


Adult Beverage Special Edition Packaging


For 2021, Blanton's challenge to COHO was to create a package for the Maison du Whisky edition that both elevates the super-premium character of the spirit while respecting the subdued emotional state of a world in a pandemic. And so the team chose to anchor the theme in the warm authenticity of Blanton's hometown of Frankfort on the banks of the Kentucky River.


Akin to the natural feel of the barrels in which the spirit is aged, an uncoated brown craft board was selected for the package substrate. It also connects to the down-to-earth approachability of Kentucky's character. Onto that humble material, the cartography of Frankfort is debossed in gold foil, immediately enriching the design with the sophistication and luxury worthy of Blanton's Single-Barrel Bourbon.

But the map is more than a rich texture. It tells a story. Winding through it, the Kentucky River, where Buffalo Trace has drawn its pure waters for almost 200 years features prominently. And when the packages are arranged side by side on a shelf, the river flows continuously across them.

There is an "H" marking the distillery's storied Warehouse H, where Colonel Blanton kept his finest spirits, and where Blanton's is still aged to this day. Typographic and pattern connections to the H continue throughout the design, honoring this historical landmark and unifying the design with prior years.

The seal of the box is styled after the revenue stamps applied to distilled spirits during the prohibition. On these seals, the cartography theme continues with maps of France, Paris, and Singapore where this special edition is sold.

When the outer box is opened, another surprisingly delightful detail is unveiled. The inside of the carton is printed with a char pattern, resembling the texture of the inside of a charred bourbon barrel.

And finally, the package is finished with the well-known and loved, collectible brass horse and rider stoppers, as well as the iconic faceted glass bottle, recognized and revered by Blanton’s aficionados.


As in previous years, this award-winning limited edition package continues to delight bourbon connoisseurs, elevate the Blanton's brand, and solidify the relationship between Buffalo Trace and La Mason du Whisky. It also creates a collectible bottling that often trades in secondary markets at well over ten times its original retail price.