Whiskey News: Connected Jameson bottle!

2 min read

Key Details

Whiskey Name: Jameson Limited Edition St Patrick’s Day 2020
Distillery: Midleton
ABV: 40%
Age: NAS
Type: Irish Whiskey

Jameson skipped St. Patrick’s Day in 2019, but it’s back for 2020 with a bottle that promises ‘real magic’. To you and me, that’s code for some cool tech. Each bottle has a QR code, hidden icons and an NFC chip that lets fans create their own personalised label.

The bottle was designed by Dublin-based illustrator Stephen “Hephee” Heffernan. The label carries phrases you’d hear in any Irish bar, such as “Your round”, “Last orders” and “Just one”.

How does it work?
Tap an NFC phone on the chip on the bottle, design your own label on your phone, and when you’re happy with it, submit it to the worldwide competition Jameson is running. Entrants go into a draw to win a personalised bottle and a bespoke Jameson bar sign. Nice one!

Don’t have NFC?
No problem. The QR code can be scanned directly by most newer smartphones, or you can download a scanner app and do the same thing. Technology, right?!

Brendan Buckley, international marketing director at Irish Distillers, said:

“We are hugely excited about this innovative Jameson bottle. This year, we are deepening the connection with our fans with an offering that reflects the brand’s appreciation of local talent through Stephen’s artwork and encourages digital engagement that taps into the growing popularity of customisation through the connected nature of the bottle.”

Brendan Buckley, International Marketing Director, Irish Distillers (Jameson press release, February 2020)

This is the eighth bottle in the Jameson limited-edition series. It’s available through off-trade channels in 22 markets, including Japan, Canada, Poland, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Switzerland, Italy, Estonia, Hungary, Croatia, Norway, Korea, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta and, of course, Ireland, from the beginning of February.