Congtai Huofenzi V10 wins Gold A' Design Award

Congtai Huofenzi V10, a zodiac-themed baijiu packaging design by Wen Liu, has won the Gold A' Design Award in Packaging Design. The recognition highlights how culturally driven packaging can help distilleries connect with younger consumers while balancing production efficiency and brand storytelling.

Why it matters: - The Gold A' Design Award gives Congtai Huofenzi V10 international visibility in a category where packaging can influence brand perception and consumer choice. - The award underscores growing demand for packaging that combines cultural storytelling, youth appeal and cost-conscious production. - The design points to a broader trend in baijiu packaging, where annual zodiac releases help brands stay relevant with consumers.

What happened: - The A' Design Award named Congtai Huofenzi V10 a Gold winner in the Packaging Design category. - Wen Liu created the packaging design for the Congtai Huofenzi V10 release. - The award announcement was made Sept. 12, 2026. - The design is the inaugural zodiac-themed release in the Huofenzi V Series. - More information is available on the A' Design Award project page.

The details: - The package centers on an illustration of a snake drawn by the aroma of Congtai baijiu, traveling from afar and transforming as it drinks. - The snake forms a V shape that merges with the series logo. - The design uses molecular and fermentation yeast motifs throughout the composition. - The artwork blends liquor, rice, the Congtai distillery, traditional patterns and cosmic imagery. - The illustrations are applied to the glass bottle through a decal firing process. - The production method is positioned as cost-effective and supportive of eco-conscious goals. - The design was led by Wen Liu, with Rui Zhou and Zhuowei Zhang contributing to development and execution.

Between the lines: - The award reflects how packaging is being used as a branding tool, not just a container. - The zodiac theme and youth-focused visual language suggest Congtai is trying to modernize baijiu presentation without losing cultural roots. - The emphasis on sustainable and cost-effective production signals that aesthetics and manufacturability are both part of the competitive brief.

What's next: - The Gold A' Design Award may support future releases in the Huofenzi V Series. - The positive consumer response since launch points to room for additional product-line expansion. - The design team is likely to continue refining cultural storytelling and original brand expression in future packaging work.

The bottom line: - Congtai Huofenzi V10 shows how heritage-themed packaging can be positioned as both a cultural statement and a commercial strategy.