Blog | Ashtonne Packaging

BRAND MERCHANDISING IN THE BOURBON INDUSTRY

Written by Bill Madl | Aug 31, 2024 2:11:36 PM

How Creativity and Gift Packaging Can Increase Sales and Elevate Your Brand

 

If we were to ask you who makes the best bourbon, well, you’re likely going to say you
do. And you’d likely be right. The problem is, every other distiller says the same thing.
And they think they are right. More importantly, a customer has their favorite brand too, and until you have a chance to pour into their glass, they won’t know the difference.
Marketing helps, sure. But it’s still your word against theirs. With competing messages and expensive ad campaigns dominating the bourbon marketplace, most customers need to taste it to believe it.

That’s where gift packaging comes in. Branded merchandise gift packs offer a unique opportunity to showcase your brand’s personality and create a lasting impression on your customers. It also provides a way to put your brand in the hands of a competitor’s customer because of the valuable extra that is included.

Here are a few more benefits to incorporating gift packaging of branded merchandise into your bourbon distillery marketing strategy:

Enhanced Customer Experience:

A beautifully designed gift pack adds an element of surprise and delight, making the unboxing experience memorable.
Increased Brand Visibility: Branded items serve as constant reminders of your brand,
helping to keep your distillery top-of-mind.

Customer Loyalty and Retention:

Thoughtfully curated gift packs show customers that you value them, fostering a sense of loyalty and encouraging repeat business.

Unique Promotional Tool: Gift packs can be used as special promotions, holiday offerings, or rewards for loyal customers, helping to drive sales and attract new customers. So now that you’re sold on the “Why”, let’s talk about the “What”. Here at Ashtonne Packaging, we’ve helped bourbon distilleries create branded merchandise gift pack offerings to great success. You’ll likely want a custom creation to perfectly match your brand and audience expectations. We are specialists at that. In the meantime, here are a few tried and true options to trigger some ideas of your own:

Creative Gift Pack Ideas for Your Bourbon Distillery Bourbon Enthusiast’s Pack
Appeal to bourbon aficionados with a premium gift pack that includes a high-
quality decanter, branded glassware, a tasting journal, and a bottle of your finest bourbon. This pack not only elevates the drinking experience but also positions your brand as a connoisseur’s choice.

The Classic Bourbon Sampler Pack

Offer a selection of your finest bourbons in miniature bottles, elegantly packaged in a branded box. This allows customers to sample a variety of your products and discover new favorites. Include tasting notes and a branded glass for the ultimate tasting experience. The box is important so that you can show off your bottles and ensure safe shipping.

Bourbon and Gourmet Treats

Pair your bourbon with artisanal chocolates, gourmet nuts, or cheese pairings in a luxurious gift box. This combination tastes good to eat and drink and is an exquisite gift option. Personalize the box with your distillery’s logo and a message that matches your marketing and brand.
Cocktail Kit Gift Pack
Create a cocktail kit that includes a bottle of your signature bourbon, a branded cocktail shaker, recipe cards, and all the necessary ingredients to make popular bourbon cocktails. This interactive gift pack encourages customers to experiment with your bourbon and share their creations on social media, boosting brand engagement.
Seasonal and Holiday Gift Packs


Design limited-edition gift packs for different seasons and holidays. For instance, a
winter-themed pack could include a bottle of bourbon, a branded flask, and a cozy blanket. Recently we helped a craft brewery create an “Advent” calendar with a case of beer in multiple flavors. Ramp up your options with branded wearable merchandise such as luxury robes, golf shirts, socks, or ties. When the branded merchandise is equally attractive the bourbon in the bottle, you’ve got a Win/Win customer experience that can’t be beaten.

Here’s how to get this done
These may all sound like good ideas. But it’s not easy, especially when you’re running
the distillery and growing the business. That’s where your professional marketing and
packaging partner can come in to take your sales efforts to new levels of success. At
Ashtonne Packaging, we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver custom packaging
solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients, and the marketing and logistics
expertise to take care of the entire program. Click here to learn more about customized packaging for Distillers and how Ashtonne can partner with your company!
At Ashtonne Packaging, through our unique partnership with TCG Continuum, we can
do it all.

From a new idea to the next expansion, Ashtonne Packaging has been helping both large and small businesses launch new products and expand product lines with product packaging and display strategy, design, and development for over 15 years.

For more information and a friendly conversation about what you might need to improve your product packaging and display, call Ashtonne Packaging at 877-832-7720 or contact us here, and let’s set a time to talk. We look forward to it.