Contramestre Gin is born where the Atlantic shapes both land and character, in Lourinhã, on the raw and windswept coast of Paimogo. Inspired by the exclusive created legend of the Contramestre, a guardian of the sea and guide through storms, this project transforms a spirit into a living narrative. It is a gin and a tribute to those who read the ocean, who lead with instinct, and who belong to a place where nature commands respect.
This story is told through a bottle designed to feel as if it emerged from the depths itself. A translucent gradient envelops the glass, recreating the shifting tones of the underwater world. Over it, layers of illustrated seaweed in varying hues unfold in a delicate 360º composition. As light passes through the bottle, the organic shapes seem to move, a visual dance that echoes the rhythm of the ocean. This effect is enhanced by the bottle’s sculpted form, whose subtle distortions refract the imagery, reinforcing the sensation of being beneath the surface.
Bringing this vision to life required a highly precise production process. Multiple print layers, each with carefully calibrated opacity and colour intensity, had to align perfectly to preserve clarity while building depth. The result is a complex yet harmonious decoration system, where every layer reveals part of the story without overpowering the whole.
At the front, a metallic medal honours the Contramestre, grounding the narrative in a symbolic figure. The shoulders of the bottle were optimised to integrate a full label, carrying both legal information and the legend itself. A Corkcoal stopper by Estal ensures sustainability, while the label seal becomes a necklace, a subtle reference to place, identity, and belonging.
Contramestre redefines packaging as an immersive storytelling project, where design, material, and technique converge to create an experience-driven journey into the soul of the sea.