Barbaturico: A beard, a mystery and a stunning balsamic

 A playful label design by Adoc STUDIO that blends tactile design with charm

Designer: Adoc STUDIO
Printer:  Grafical
Label materials:  Fasson® Velvet Black and Fasson® Rustique Blanc FSC®

At first glance, it's bold and a little strange. But it's intriguing. You see a face — one topped with a thick, textured beard so real, you're tempted to touch it. And that's exactly the point. Barbaturico isn't your average balsamic. It's a sensory experience wrapped in mystery and mischief, inspired by the curious charm of early 20th-century elixirs — those so-called miracle tonics that promised to transform you. In this case, the secret to a full, majestic beard.

Created for Pellegrini S.p.A. by Adoc STUDIO, Barbaturico reimagines what a label can do — not just tell a story but let you feel it. Even the name plays with contrast. A fusion of “barba” (beard) and a nod to “barbiturates,” it hints at both disruption and calm — an elixir that claims to soothe the senses while sparking the imagination. It’s bold, theatrical and just a little bit strange. But that’s the charm.

The project leans into the visual codes of vintage apothecary bottles, complete with natural paper textures, neutral tones and hand-drawn illustrations that nod to early pharmaceutical art. But where it really breaks the mould is in its tactile detail — a layer of our Fasson® Velvet Black material applied to simulate the coarse feel of real facial hair.

The velvet application — achieved automatically with precise registration — overlays a digitally illustrated face rendered using a graphic tablet. Hidden under the beard is an unexpected twist that invites interaction, encouraging the consumer to lift the layered label and discover what lies beneath: a woman's face. It draws on the visual language of 1930s circus posters — soft lights, extraordinary characters and a kind of spectacle that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It's packaging that engages on more than one level.

To balance the boldness of the beard illustration, the rest of the packaging remains stripped back and modest. The base uses our Fasson® Rustique Blanc FSC® material, a softly textured natural paper that reinforces the design’s old-world feel and adds a layer of authenticity. Carefully placed accents of hot foil introduce just enough shine to elevate the look without overwhelming it. The material pairing was key — Velvet Black adds rich texture, while Rustique Blanc brings a grounded, traditional feel that complements the overall concept.

The result is a packaging concept that doesn’t just house the product — it plays with it. A little surreal, a little theatrical and entirely unforgettable, Barbaturico walks a line between past and present, combining tongue-in-cheek storytelling with real material innovation. And printed by Grafical, every element — from the hair-raising texture to the fine finishing — has been accomplished with precision.

Barbaturico might not promise miracle results, but it does something just as rare: it makes you look twice. Despite the world's enthusiasm for polished minimalism, this one gets under your skin — or at least under your fingers.