Author: johnormston

Telling tales

johnormston

Scottish Gaelic for ‘monster’, Uile-bheist (pronounced EWL-uh-Vehst) is a new, low carbon craft distillery, brewery and visitor experience in the heart of Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands. Rising from the banks of the mighty River Ness, close to where legend tells us Saint Columba once banished a certain “water monster” back into the river,… Continue reading Telling tales

Mastering smoke

johnormston

In April, I was fortunate enough to visit the whisky isle of Islay on a project for soon to be reopened Port Ellen Distillery. While there, I made the most of the opportunity – and the glorious weather – to ‘bag’ a few of the other distilleries I’ve written for over the years, including the… Continue reading Mastering smoke

Whisky, made The Mancunian Way

johnormston

Never in my wildest dreams… … did I think I’d be able to combine my love of my hometown with my love of whisky. So when Contagious asked me to write the positioning copy and help develop the tone of voice for One Point Six English Whisky, made in Manchester, I was blown away. Why… Continue reading Whisky, made The Mancunian Way

All the best ideas aren’t taken

johnormston

Watching and listening to MEPs sing Auld Lang Syne in Brussels on January 29th reminded me of a project I worked on almost 20 years ago with Creative Director Iain Lauder and a young designer by the name of Jason Little (co-founder of For The People). The brief: packaging for a now legendary bottling of… Continue reading All the best ideas aren’t taken