From “Impossible” to Innovation: How Outside Source Helped Amoon Spirits Launch a First-of-Its-Kind Vodka Bottle
When Mark McLaurin, owner of Amoon Spirits, first envisioned Amoon Vodka, he didn’t want to just launch another premium spirit. He wanted to reinvent what a bottle could be. His vision was bold: combine high-quality vodka with cutting-edge technology in a way the industry had never seen before.
The result? A vodka bottle with controllable LED lights, a motor-driven vortex, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rechargeable battery all controlled by a mobile app. But bringing this to life wasn’t easy. In fact, most of the bottle industry told him it couldn’t be done.
That’s where Outside Source stepped in.
The Challenges Amoon Faced
1. Industry Resistance
When Mark approached bottle manufacturers across China, Germany, and Canada, they all said the same thing: they could produce glass bottles, but the idea of embedding technology inside them was “impossible.”
2. Technical Complexity
Mark had a vision and an early proof of concept, but the challenge was beyond his expertise. He needed a team that could bridge both hardware and software to make the bottle and app function seamlessly together.
He needed not just suppliers, but true collaborators.
How Outside Source Helped Amoon Break Through
1. Matching Passion with Expertise
Where manufacturers hesitated, Outside Source leaned in. The team “fell in love with the product” and saw the same opportunity Mark did: a chance to build something completely new, without established rules. Together, Mark and Outside Source formed not just a team, but a partnership ready to break new ground.
2. Building the Complete Mobile App Solution
Outside Source took full ownership of the mobile experience.
Chris Aiello, Senior Engagement Manager, led requirements gathering and project management.
Michael Kritch, Design Director, created a one-to-one app experience that visually mirrored the physical bottle—down to filmed bottle footage integrated into the UI.
The result was a seamless, intuitive app that made the complex technology inside the bottle accessible to anyone.
3. Driving Innovation Beyond the Scope
Outside Source didn’t just deliver on requirements—they elevated the product. They proposed and implemented AI-powered custom light shows that allowed users to generate unique bottle experiences by voice command. Say “Colts Sunday,” and the app automatically creates blue light patterns, vortex spins, and even names the show.
4. Orchestrating a Collaborative Ecosystem
Recognizing that hardware engineering was just as critical, Outside Source connected Mark with InDesign, a partner specializing in motor drivers, Bluetooth, and PCB design. Together, the teams worked side by side in live debugging sessions, rapidly solving problems and integrating software with hardware.
Outside Source became the bridge between vision, design, and execution.
The Outcome: A Tech Company That Happens to Do Alcohol
With Outside Source’s software expertise and collaborative leadership, Amoon was able to do the impossible. The bottle moved from concept to launch, now available online and distributed in 40 states.
Mark put it best: “We’re a tech company first. We just happen to do alcohol.”
This project didn’t just launch a product. It disrupted an industry that had resisted innovation for decades, proving that when vision meets the right partners, even the “impossible” can hit the shelves.
Key Takeaway
Amoon’s journey shows the power of strategic partnerships. Outside Source wasn’t just a development vendor—they were a co-creator, problem-solver, and innovator who turned barriers into breakthroughs.
For companies looking to bring bold ideas to life, the lesson is clear: find partners who match your passion and collaborate as if your vision were their own. That’s the formula that transformed Amoon Vodka from an idea into a market-ready innovation.