Photography: Hinch Irish Whiskey – 19 Year Old Single Malt, Château De La Ligne Grande Reserve Finish
This project was a rare chance to tell a two-brand story in one frame. Pairing Hinch Irish Whiskey with Château De La Ligne wine, both owned by Dr Terry Cross OBE, meant the whiskey’s finish and the wine’s provenance could be showcased together, authentically. That direct link is unusual in the category, and it deserved imagery with the same sense of intention.
Originally unveiled as an 18 Year Old release, its success led to a follow-up the next year as a 19 Year Old. I’d been part of the journey from the concept through box and label design for both releases, so rounding it off with photography that did justice to the set felt like a natural finish.
I shot in a dark, moody style – rich blacks, controlled highlights, and deep texture to echo the maturity of the whiskey and the Grande Réserve finish. The aim was premium, composed, and quietly confident: images that feel as considered as the pairing itself.
What I Shot
- Presentation wides of the bottle and paired box set, framing whiskey and wine together to underline the shared ownership and finish story.
- Context cues to suggest time and influence without overpowering the product.
- A two-phase image suite:
– Teaser set – atmospheric dark compositions that hinted at the collaboration without revealing everything.
– Launch set – full, reveal-led shots optimised for digital and print across global channels.
Lighting & Finish
A low-key lighting setup with soft direction created clean reflections on glass and legible labels, while negative fill sculpted form. Selective bounce protected typography; shallow depth of field kept attention on the marks that matter.
Outcome
A coherent set of images that sell the story and the scarcity: from quiet intrigue to full reveal. The suite supported pre-launch buzz and then the global release carrying the concept through from design to shelf to screen and celebrating a pairing only a shared owner could authentically deliver.
