![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/17689_fkjvobphf8mo4itgxbp9t5acf.jpg)
Kanpeki Vodka from Milk Street Distillery. Kanpeki is a Japanese word that means 'perfection.' The vodka is made of polished grains of white rice, and the distillery owners wanted it to have a Japanese look. We were able to commission calligraphy from a master calligrapher, Tsuyoshi Takemori, who I was put in touch with by Ms. Kamimura of the Japan Society in New York City. I drew a cherry blossom branch and refined it in the computer.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/17689_akxoyipf7if2uf8v8broasaxq.jpg)
Here is the calligraphy by Mr. Takemori.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/17689_qcux9muixwoctuzq23a37de_s.jpg)
First, I drew a rough sketch of the cherry blossom branch.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/17689_06i9o54pfn3qvgniffv0fizm8.jpg)
And then I refined the sketch. It is meant to resemble a woodcut.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/17689_z0tauwzq7s2bgtbmdyfahelsq.jpg)
Here are the bottles after being filled at the distillery.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/17689_l8rym3bymdwtu3sbch8hjknge.jpg)
The following bottles are first rounds. The pink was too intense for the distillers. We chose a plum color instead.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/17689_itjjtyjhmufe_e3ty4wqwgiob.jpg)
Another first round concept bottle.
![](https://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/17689_ce8ko6lrve3vswfrkdwjv2smf.jpg)
A third first round concept bottle.
gLike