WHISKY BRAND
DESIGN CASE STUDY
Crafting a visual brand system for BitCask’s exclusive whisky collection, designed to balance timeless Speyside heritage with digital-first investment culture.
A Modern Identity for a Heritage Whisky Line
Meet Portvale
BitCask is a platform that allows modern investors to own fractional shares of rare whisky casks. As the company prepared to launch its own exclusive single malt whisky line, they needed a premium brand identity system that would scale across different product tiers while telling a compelling story. The result is Portvale — a whisky brand that reflects tradition, rarity, and modern access.
MY ROLE
I was tasked with leading the complete branding and label design for Portvale. This included naming, storytelling development, visual identity, label system, mockups, and presentation assets.
work scope
Ideation & Design
Brand Research
Illustration
Within a 2 weeks
tools used
the goal
business goals
Position Portvale as BitCask’s flagship whisky brand — premium, collectible, and aligned with its investment-first vision. Build long-term brand equity through a story-driven, tiered product line.
user goals
Give users a tangible, emotional connection to their whisky investment. Use visual storytelling to communicate rarity, prestige, and progression across product tiers.
project goals
Create a full brand identity — name, logo, label system — that balances modern minimalism with Scotch heritage. Ensure regulatory compliance while delivering a scalable, premium design experience.
design thinking
The naming process led to Portvale, a fusion of “port” (gateway, access) and “vale” (valley, heritage), reflecting the brand’s core story. I then developed a three-tier visual narrative called “Revealing Portvale,” where each label tier unveils more of the mythical city — from map to region to full glory.
The Wordmark
Key Art
Label Design
3D mockups
Crafting Portvale
conclusion
This project showcases the intersection of narrative-driven design, luxury branding, and regulatory precision. Portvale is more than a whisky — it’s an evolving world where every bottle unlocks a new chapter. Through this case study, I brought together visual storytelling, identity systems, and market positioning into a cohesive luxury brand with digital roots.
New Standard for Whisky Investment
The Portvale identity is now positioned to elevate BitCask’s whisky offering into a premium, investable product line with strong visual differentiation and scalability. Each tier has a clear story, aesthetic, and emotional connection with collectors, connoisseurs, and modern investors alike.
WHISKY BRAND
DESIGN CASE STUDY
Case Studies
Perfumery E-Commerce Site
Maison 21G is an up and coming perfumery brand that aspires to be the best modern olfactory experience. Giving the old fashion industry a tech edge.
Gaming Wallet
PLAY3R is a gaming wallet that aims to be the goto wallet for Web3 and Crypto Gaming. A gaming wallet that gets gamers into the action within seconds.
All rights reserved, Pakago © 2024