CARLOS I IMPERIAL X.O GIFT PACK EARNS IWSC HONOUR

Appartement 103’s design for Carlos I Imperial X.O has been honoured at the IWSC Design Awards 2026 with a Highly Commended Medal in the Gift Pack Category. The project, created with Grupo Osborne, makes packaging part of the experience, blending heritage and modernity to elevate the brand’s prestige and consumer connection.

Appartement 103’s design for Carlos I Imperial X.O has been recognised at the IWSC Design Awards 2026, receiving a Design Medal Highly Commended in the Gift Pack Category. The accolade highlights the studio’s vision of making packaging an integral part of the consumer experience, elevating the brand’s prestige through artistry and innovation.  

The project, developed in collaboration with Grupo Osborne, sought to create a gift pack that transcends functionality, becoming a tactile and visual extension of the brand’s identity. By blending heritage cues with contemporary design language, Appartement 103 ensured that the packaging itself becomes part of the ritual of enjoying Carlos I Imperial X.O. The recognition from IWSC – in partnership with Club Oenologique – underscores the growing importance of design in shaping perceptions of premium spirits.  

For Appartement 103, the award represents more than a commendation; it is a validation of their philosophy that packaging should not merely contain but should communicate. The Imperial X.O gift pack was conceived as a bridge between tradition and modernity, a vessel that honours the craftsmanship of the liquid while offering a memorable encounter for the consumer. Every detail, from material choice to structural form, was designed to heighten anticipation and reinforce the sense of exclusivity.  

Grupo Osborne’s trust in Appartement 103’s creative direction was central to the project’s success. The collaboration reflects a shared belief in design as a strategic tool, capable of amplifying brand values and deepening consumer connection. By investing in packaging that resonates emotionally, the brand strengthens its position in the competitive luxury spirits market.  

The IWSC Design Awards are among the most respected accolades in the drinks industry, recognising excellence in creativity, innovation and execution. To be distinguished in the Gift Pack Category is a testament to the way Carlos I Imperial X.O’s presentation has been elevated into an experience in itself. For collectors and connoisseurs, the gift pack is not simply a case but a statement of refinement, aligning with the brand’s ambition to remain at the forefront of premiumisation.  

This recognition adds to the growing narrative of how design can transform perception, turning packaging into a cultural artefact. For Appartement 103, it is another milestone in their journey of redefining the role of design in the world of spirits, proving that the exterior can be as compelling as the liquid within.