How do you distil the spirit of a place? Family owned Rockland Distilleries have been creating Ceylon Arrack, Sri Lanka’s national coconut-based liquor, for almost a century. With a plan to introduce the drink, as well as the wider family of Rockland Distilleries’ brands, to European bars, restaurants and retailers, we helped them share their story and highlight the unique qualities of their home.
Consumer Goods & Retail
Rockland Distilleries
Stories infused with the spirit of Sri Lanka
Rockland’s drinks are infused with the spirit of Sri Lanka, and telling their story meant helping audiences to truly understand how, why and where they are made.
At the brand’s base in the Indian Ocean, we discovered the remarkable way in which Ceylon Arrack is created. Nimble and skilled ‘toddy tappers’ tightrope from tree to tree to extract the coconut sap by hand, which is then naturally distilled over time – a process that can’t be rushed. This unique approach and leisurely pace became a guide for Ceylon Arrack’s brand identity, narrative and supporting photography, film, website and print publications. From The Adventures of Arrack, a book that offers a full account of Rockland Distilleries’ rich history, to The Ceylon Arrack Guide to Punch, which illustrates myriad ways to mix the drink, we invited the audience to take a moment and enjoy Ceylon Arrack in true Sri Lankan style.
After establishing and documenting the story of Ceylon Arrack’s rich heritage and singular taste, we were asked to take a fresh look at its sister brand, Colombo No.7 Gin. We captured Sri Lanka’s vibrant colours, sights and sounds in a series of images and films, giving the viewer an insider’s perspective on the island’s hospitality, culture and flora and fauna.
Our work on Ceylon Arrack and Colombo No.7 Gin was the start of a lasting relationship – one that’s still continuing as we refine Rockland Distilleries’ expanding collection of drinks brands.
Adventures in paradise
The marvellous coconut plays a starring role in the story of Ceylon Arrack, detailed in The Adventure of Arrack book alongside a full account of Rockland Distilleries’ fascinating and rich history.
Packing a punch
As well as communicating what arrack is and how it’s made, we needed to demonstrate how to drink it. Identifying that arrack was the original base for punch, we produced The Ceylon Arrack Guide to Punch to illustrate myriad ways to enjoy the tipple.
Seven spices
Colombo No.7 Gin is distilled to a 70-year-old recipe using seven spices and botanicals, including Sri Lanka’s native cinnamon, curry leaves and ginger. We renamed it Colombo No.7 and updated the logotype to bring this story to the forefront.