Uncuffed Whisper Gin!

Designing a Speakeasy Spirit: Uncuffed Whispers Gin

Hrishant Mehta
4 min readJun 5, 2024

Designing a Speakeasy Spirit: Uncuffed Whispers Gin

Uncuffed Whispers Gin is a passion project inspired by the Prohibition era. It draws from the secret world of speakeasies and vintage “rap sheets” to bring the rebellious spirit to a modern gin.

I wanted to design a unique gin that captures this history and offers a taste of adventure to today’s consumers.

In just four days, I created a complete brand identity, including the name, logo, and label design. Using a thrift store bottle, I added small details to enhance the story in a photoshoot.

This project shows how a strong brand identity can be created quickly and effectively, even with limited resources.

The idea for Uncuffed Whispers Gin was born from a moment of pure inspiration. I found an old “Criminal Rap Sheet” at a flea market, its faded ink whispering tales of secret bars and hidden gatherings from the Prohibition era.

I wanted to create something unique — a label that not only looked great but also told a compelling story. Determined to find a solution, I set out to design a complete label in just four days.

This challenge was driven by my desire to prove that even with limited time and resources, a powerful and engaging brand element could be created.

A branding project typically takes more than four weeks, but I set a personal challenge to design a complete brand identity in just four days. The biggest hurdle was my belief that small labels often go unnoticed and don’t grab attention. Designing on such a small medium required careful thought and creativity.

First, I brainstormed and sketched various concepts, focusing on elements that evoked mystery and intrigue. The idea of a keyhole quickly stood out as a symbol of secrecy and hidden stories. I refined this concept into a simple yet striking logo that would capture attention.

Next, I chose a color palette limited to just a few shades, ensuring the design remained elegant and cohesive. I played with textures and patterns reminiscent of vintage “rap sheets” and brick walls of speakeasies, bringing depth to the label with minimal colors.

With the design taking shape, I added small details to enhance the story, such as a stylised feather representing the gin’s botanical ingredients and a nod to the era’s fashion. Each element was carefully placed to ensure the label told a compelling story at a glance.

To bring the brand to life, I used a vintage bottle found at a thrift store. The bottle, paired with the label, created a striking visual that transported you back to the 1920s.

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I added small touches, like a stylised feather and textured patterns, to enhance the storytelling element of the design.

Completing the Uncuffed Whispers Gin project within just four days proved that a compelling brand identity could be created even with tight constraints.

This experience has prepared me to tackle future projects with a renewed sense of creativity and efficiency, knowing that even the smallest details can make a big impact.

Do you want your packaging to jump off the shelves!

Shoot us an email at → hello@hrishantmehta.in.

We Craft Brand Identities And Packaging Design For Gen Z / Millennial Brands!

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Hrishant Mehta
Hrishant Mehta

Written by Hrishant Mehta

Crafting Identities For Gen Z / Millennial Brands! More Than Your Logo, Lets Tell Your Story.

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