Today is 'Blue Monday' supposedly the most depressing day of the year. The weather here in the capital is on-trend, with grey skies and persistent rain all morning. And at Francis Towers I have, somewhat inevitably after being surrounded by consumptives for the past few weeks, succumbed to the prevalent lurgy. As a result this blog is brought to you in association with Lemsip Max Strength and Lotus Olbas Oil tissues.

In need of something to brighten my mood I turned to drink, specifically gin. Have been meaning to say something admiring about the Sipsmith Gin labels for a while now. In case you haven't heard of the firm, in 2009 Sipsmith started up the first new distillery in London for the best part of 200 years, using a copper still called Prudence. The company's premium, invidualistic brand identity is captured in the label designs, which include a copper foil that ties in with the still. Here's a pic, and yes I do realise I should really have taken it when the bottles were pristine and unopened.

I must include a shout-out for Glasgow's Labelgraphics, the printer of these lovely labels. Thanks to Fergus Aitken there for filling me in on the details. The labels are printed flexo with inline hot foiling and debossed text elements. The foil also features an unusual rough edged effect that adds to the vintage feel. Marvellous.

Duly cheered, I'm now contemplating the potential medicinal and/or restorative effects of the sloe gin in particular. Surely it must be full of vitamin C?