Hunter Luxury, in partnership with Pocket Rocket Creative, collaborated to create the exclusive packaging for Shirakawa 1958, an extraordinary release by Tomatin Distillery and Takara Shuzo. This rare single malt whisky is the only official single malt bottling ever released from the lost Shirakawa Distillery, located 200km north of Tokyo. Limited to just 1,500 bottles worldwide, Shirakawa 1958 is the earliest single vintage Japanese whisky ever bottled, making it a truly historic expression.
The whisky itself carries a remarkable story. Produced between 1951 and 1969, Shirakawa’s malt whisky was historically only used in blends and never officially bottled as a single malt. Following the distillery’s closure and demolition in 2003, little was known about its past, with fragments of history pieced together from former employees and old documents. In 2019, a final parcel of Shirakawa whisky distilled in 1958 was discovered at Takara Shuzo’s Kurokabegura facility. This release marks a trailblazing moment for Japanese whisky, combining rarity, mystery, and heritage.
Our challenge at Hunter Luxury was to celebrate this incredible whisky release in a way that honours Japanese culture and craftsmanship. Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese aesthetics, we carefully considered every element of the packaging. The box is hand-veneered in rich black wood with an ebony finish, designed to emulate the traditional yakisugi technique, where wood is charred for preservation and weatherproofing. This technique conveniently parallels the whisky-making process of charring casks to enhance flavour.
The box features detailed gold foiling, a nod to gold’s significance in Japanese culture as a symbol of wealth and prestige. We embraced the Japanese concept of “ma ma”, meaning uncluttered simplicity, ensuring that every detail had its place with perfect harmony. The packaging draws on the jyubako box, which is traditionally used to present food on celebratory occasions. In this design, one door reveals an elegant book about Shirakawa’s history, while the other reveals the precious whisky bottle. The bottle’s shape itself is a softened square, symbolising the smoothing and rounding of whisky over time, and it is crowned with a paper seal—a classic Japanese presentation method.
A highlight of the design is an illustration surrounding the bottle, based on a rare photograph of the Shirakawa distillery in its heyday. This image is masterfully captured in finely detailed gold foiling, paying homage to the distillery’s legacy and adding a deeply personal and historic touch to the packaging.
To complement the wooden box, aeronautical-grade aluminium was used for the door, shaped with precision digital tools and finished with a lightly brushed anodisation. The inside of the coffret is lined with luxury imitation leather, hot-stamped to create a sophisticated interior finish. Combining materials posed a unique challenge, as the handcrafted wooden elements had to align perfectly with the precise manufacturing tolerances of the aluminium components. The result is a coffret designed to be cherished and kept.
The story behind Shirakawa 1958 enriches the packaging experience. After being distilled in 1958 and matured in oak casks, the whisky was transferred to ceramic jars at the distillery, then moved to stainless steel tanks at Takara Shuzo’s Kyushu factory after the distillery’s closure. This unusual maturation history means the exact age and type of cask maturation remain unknown, adding to the whisky’s mystique.
At Hunter Luxury, we were tasked with translating this story and spirit into a tactile, visual experience that resonates with collectors and connoisseurs alike. Our partnership with Pocket Rocket Creative ensured the perfect fusion of creativity and craftsmanship. The result is a packaging solution that is as rare and exceptional as the whisky.
This project required mastery across multiple disciplines, from woodcraft and metalwork to luxury finishing. The ebony veneer’s subtle grain texture contrasts beautifully with the gleaming gold foiling, while the aluminium door adds a modern, tactile element that enhances the unboxing experience. The leather-lined interior offers a protective yet luxurious setting for the bottle and accompanying book.
Beyond aesthetics, the packaging embodies functionality and durability, designed to protect the precious contents during transport and storage while also serving as a display piece worthy of its rarity.
Shirakawa 1958’s limited release reinforces the growing global interest in Japanese whisky, one of the world’s most sought-after spirit categories. By honouring the cultural significance of the distillery and the spirit, this packaging project exemplifies the power of storytelling in luxury packaging.
At Hunter Luxury, we understand that exceptional packaging is not merely about presentation; it’s about creating an emotional connection between the consumer and the product’s story. With Shirakawa 1958, every element, from the handcrafted materials and gold detailing to the historical illustration and Japanese cultural references, has been crafted to evoke respect, admiration, and curiosity.
This is what sets Hunter Luxury apart in the world of premium packaging. Our commitment to innovation, quality, and cultural sensitivity ensures we deliver projects that exceed expectations and leave a lasting impression.
Our team of packaging experts works with the world’s largest brands. Drop us a line at info@hunterluxury.com, we’d love to talk through your project brief with you.
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