In the world of premium whisky, the bottle design is just as important as the drink inside—and Dubai-based Malayali designer Tonnit Thomas has mastered this art. Hailing from Ranni, Pathanamthitta, Tonnit has nearly 27 years of experience in the design industry and has worked on major brand development projects, including the Dubai Shopping Festival and petroleum giants ENOC and EPCO.
His latest achievement? Designing the bottle for ‘Expedition’, a 15-year-old single malt
whisky by Amrut Distilleries, launched to celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary. Limited to just 75 bottles, each priced at $12,000 (over ₹10 lakh), the design alone cost around 1 lakh Dirham (₹23.5 lakh). Crafted from Glencairn Crystal from Scotland, the bottle features the brand name engraved in glass, reflecting the prestige, heritage, and exclusivity of the whisky.
The project, initiated by Amrut’s Master Distiller Ashok Chokalingam, took over two years to complete, with the bottle design alone requiring six months. The exclusive collection was sold out in pre-booking before its official release.
Tonnit’s Journey from Kerala to Global Success
Born into an artistic family in Kerala’s hilly Central Travancore, Tonnit developed a passion for design early on. After graduating from the College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram, he started his career in advertising with agencies like Saatchi & Saatchi and Grey Worldwide in India.
In 2002, he moved to Dubai, a career-defining decision. As Creative Director at BPG (under WPP Group), he played a key role in shaping Dubai’s biggest brands. In 2008, he took a bold step and started his own company, Tonnit Design, working from a small guest bathroom. His perseverance paid off, earning international recognition, including the International Luxury Award in Monaco.
Tonnit’s leadership saw him named among Dubai’s Top 100 SME CEOs in 2011, 2013, and 2019, and his expertise was instrumental in Dubai’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign. In 2024, his company was acquired by GP Inc Group, leading to the launch of Tonnit & Co, a branding and design firm with multiple ventures.
Apart from running his business, Tonnit is also a mentor at Colors Art Institute in Dubai and co-founder of Artry, a platform promoting art and design. His biggest inspiration? His wife Renu and their three children—Olivia (studying politics and economics in the Netherlands), Ohanna, and Oban (both studying in Dubai).
From a small town in Kerala to designing one of the world’s most expensive whisky bottles, Tonnit Thomas continues to redefine luxury branding on a global scale.
