Case Study: Sloemotion
From Hedgerows to High Shelves
Client: Sloemotion Distillery
Brand: Hedgerow Spirits
Bottle: Sloe Gin
The Company
Sloemotion Distillery was founded by Joff Curtoys almost by accident. Joff, an ecologist by training, was implementing a farm diversification initiative to improve wildlife habitats, which resulted in an abundance of sloes. This was the seed for an idea and so the business began, Sloemotion Gin was formed.
The Aim
Sustainable and ethical practices have always been the ethos and roots of Sloemotion Distillery. Sustainability is a huge driver and as a company, they are passionate about their sustainable policies. In 2021, they even achieved Special Commendation for the Amorim Sustainability Award, as part of the Drinks Business Green Awards. From this core drive, Sloemotion Distillery wanted to develop glass packaging that reflected their ethos, striving to work with a local glass manufacturer that had the capability to significantly reduce their packaging carbon footprint.
Reflecting a Sustainable Ethos
For the bottle, the manufacturing, the final packaging, and the supply chain were all considered. In terms of logistics, the manufacturing facility is only 40 miles away from their distillery, which has meant the carbon footprint during transportation is significantly reduced.
To strive towards more eco-friendly packaging, the new bottle was 15% lighter than the previous flask shaped one. The lightness of the bottle meaning less energy and fewer resources are consumed during the production process and in the subsequent distribution.
An Elegant, Floral Design
Developing a sustainable bottle never needs to compromise aesthetics. With its intricate floral design illustrated in a contrasting colour to the gin inside, the distillery’s bottle can stand proud on any shelf.
To follow in the footsteps of the Hedgerow Spirits line and to really establish a family of gin brands, their liqueur range moved into the identical bottle decorated in the same exquisite design. The design depicts botanicals foraged in the local hedgerows, intertwining crab apples, rosehips, elderflower, and of course, sloes. The colour of the ink is inspired by the creamy white blossom of the Blackthorn; the plant that produces sloes, where naturally their name originates.
A Sustainable Success
Just like the plant this brand is named after, the bottle truly flourished. It has enabled Sloemotion Distillery to minimise their impact on the planet and move towards an even more sustainable future. Here at Verallia, we are excited to continue working with the team and soon convert more of their product range into the new environmentally friendly bottle. We are consistently looking for alternative solutions that will minimise the carbon footprint of our production and the subsequent packaging, and we are proud to work with a company that holds sustainability at its core.
