Message in a Bottle

The River Rock design is not just a bottle: It is a shorthand for everything that we stand for; Uniquely beautiful, skilfully crafted and environmentally progressive.

As a start up, we had to think creatively about how we can make an immediate impact, not wait for technology to come up with a solution. Which is why we are the only spirit brand in the world using ‘wonky glass’ in our bottles.

Bottle of single malt River Rock whisky on a rock next to a Scottish river

Taking its inspiration from the irregular beauty found in nature, and skilfully hand crafted using long-forgotten techniques, it was designed to not only look great and feel amazing, but to make a positive contribution to our planet.

Whilst many big brands and companies are making bold statements about what they will deliver in the future, we think that the future isn’t soon enough.

As a start up, we had to think creatively about how we can make an immediate impact, not wait for technology to come up with a solution.

Which is why we are the only spirit brand in the world using ‘wonky glass’ in our bottles.

INSPIRATION

The patterns found in nature were the inspiration for the River Rock design.

Flowing river over a rock

The seemingly effortless, yet powerful flow of a river carving smooth lines into solid rock, encapsulating both a fleeting moment in time and a lifetime of change.

SKILLED CRAFTSMANSHIP

Nature’s unique patterns couldn’t be captured using computer aided design. Instead we used clay modelling to handcraft the asymmetrical smooth contours, a technique not used by our bottle maker for over 30 years.

River Rock wonky bottle prototype

Each and every curve was skilfully created by hand before turning to more modern techniques to create 3D models and prototypes

Clay carving of River Rock wonky whiskey bottle
River Rock whiskey bottle design
Graphic computer design plan for River Rock whisky bottle

 

Digital model of River Rock whisky bottle

 

EMBRACING INDIVIDUALITY

The River Rock design is not only unique in the world of Single Malt, but each and every bottle is unique in its own right

 

Row of River Rock whisky bottles using recycled glass in various shades of green

For too long and for too many, society has had a flawed idea of perfection. The idea that it is somehow better to look and sound like everyone else rather than being truly individual. But what makes us different is what makes us special.

River Rock is a Single Malt which embraces individuality and diversity, and our bottle is a perfect example of that. Rather than insisting that each bottle is an identical colour, we use our trademark ‘wonky glass’ which is normally discarded as glass manufacturers move from one colour to the next.

We avoid waste, and save energy and are rewarded with beautiful bottles, each one completely unique. 

 The bottles in batch #2 cover a spectrum of glorious shades of green. There are light, ethereal sea foams and vibrant jewel-like emeralds with amazing unique swirls.

Close up of wonky glass River Rock whisky bottle

MAKING A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION

Not only do we avoid waste and save energy in our bottle production, but all our labels are printed on FSC recycled paper.  We avoid the use of fancy foils or inks, and our bottles are sealed with a biodegradable cellulose

Bird's eye view of cardboard packaging with the bottle lid visible printed with River Rock logo
Bottle of River Rock single malt whisky with plastic free packaging
bottle of River Rock single malt whisky with branded plastic-free packaging to the left and right

We have deliberately chosen not to use secondary packaging, so as to avoid additional waste. Our shipping solution comes from Flexi-hex, a fantastically innovative company committed to reducing plastic in packaging.

We are 100% plastic free.

 

CONSTANTLY EVOLVING

BUT we won’t stop there. We are committed to constant improvement and further positive steps towards an even more sustainable future so watch this space for our upcoming initiatives.