Stranahan's Whiskey

Stranahan's Whiskey Featured Image

Project

Whiskey Branding

Location

Denver, CO

Colorado's first legal distillery since prohibition, Stranahan's Whiskey has been crafting the No. 1 American Single Malt Whiskey in their downtown Denver distillery since 2004.

The Made Shop had long been admirers of the whiskey before we were asked to join the team and reimagine the brand. Over the span of 7 years now we have transformed every piece of the visual identity, packaging, merchandise, and marketing. Along the journey, we helped redesign the distillery tour and tastings, created an elaborate coffee table book, and oversaw the design and release of two new whiskeys: Diamond Peak and Snowflake.

Disciplines

  • Logo & Visual Identity
  • Web Design & Development
  • Illustration & Art
  • Print Collateral
  • Marketing
  • Interior Design
  • Signage & Wayfinding
  • Packaging Design
  • Merchandise

A new mark

Stranahans Logo

for an old favorite

Stranahans

Photo by: The Media Grind

The yellow 'sash' was already iconic when we started our work. We immediately decided to keep the distinctive color and shape as we began redesigning the brand and bottle.

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Each label is handwritten and lovingly applied (at just the right angle) by eager volunteers who join the crew for weekend bottling parties.

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Reimagining the Distillery

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Soon after redesigning the brand and bottle, we set our sights on transforming the distillery from a utilitarian factory into a new destination for tours and tastings.

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Photo by: The Media Grind

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Stranahan's demand and growth exploded: Distribution had been confined to Colorado, but quickly expanded nationwide.

To meet the rush of interest, we expanded our creative direction and design to all parts of the experience.

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Photo by: The Media Grind

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Two new siblings join the stable: Diamond Peak & Snowflake

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Photo by: Media Grind

We created an exquisite black label for Stranahan's Diamond Peak: A striking single malt hand crafted in small batches from the most distinct casks.

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Photo by: The Media Grind

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Photo by: The Media Grind

Snowflake, Stranahan's rarest release, is wrapped with a silver winter sash. As in nature, no two Snowflakes are alike.

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Photo by: The Media Grind

Zealous fans grab silver tickets and camp out at the distillery once a year on the single winter's day when Snowflake is released.

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Despite the rarity of the release, diehard fans find camaraderie rather than competition in line together.

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Photo by: The Media Grind

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Well Built: The Book

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To celebrate the 10th anniversary, we created a collectible coffee-table book to tell the complete Stranahan's story.

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Cask Thief

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Cask Thief is Stranahan's annual celebration of the rarest barrels. Guests are invited to steal a taste directly from six unique casks — the rare, the misplaced, and the forgotten — each pulled from the depths of the rack-house for the first time.

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Photo by: Media Grind

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Photo by: The Media Grind

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Photo by: The Media Grind

Find yourself a bottle

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Credits

  • Creative Direction

    Adam Blake & Marke Johnson

  • Art Direction

    Adam Blake & Nathan Johnson

  • Interior Design

    Marke Johnson

  • Design

    Marke Johnson, Adam Blake, Kyle Huninghake

  • Illustration

    Zachary Johnson

  • Photography

    Amber Chiarelli & The Media Grind

Acknowledgments

We've been warmly welcomed into the Stranahan's family over the last seven years — perhaps the longest we've ever shepherded a single brand — and have become thankful friends with a wonderful team who make this beautiful liquid. In particular we'd like to thank Master Distiller Rob Dietrich, Peter Maca, Kristin Forsch, Keegan Gianoni, Olivia Yacoub, Elwyn Gladstone, Kensey Davis, and Dylan Beyer.