Espirito XVI Cachaça, a new ultra-premium expression of the Brazilian spirit is being introduced by Ambrabev, LLC, of Danville, Kentucky in four major U.S. markets. Handcrafted in small batches, Espirito XVI is distilled from the only the finest freshly pressed Brazilian sugar cane harvested from the fertile fields of São Fidelis along the banks of the Paraiba do Sol River. Expertly blended with pristine, naturally filtered and demineralized water from private springs located high in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, Espirito XVI achieves an unparalleled level of purity. Cachaça is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Brazil and the third most consumed in the world behind vodka and soju.
Determined to develop packaging capable of capturing the same refined and sophisticated nature of the cachaça itself, Ambrabev sought out experienced and reliable partners to assist with the design of the Espirito XVI bottle and its related packaging elements. After exploring many options, Ambrabev engaged the expert services and global resource network of Saxco International, LLC, of Horsham, PA , world wide-packaging specialists for the wine, spirts, beer and food industries. “We wanted to help create a beautiful package that would honor and showcase the exceptional nature of the Espirito XVI Premium Cachaça brand, while ensuring it would be highly functional and present notable shelf prominence for consumers,” states Jimmy Owens, new product representative and category manager for craft spirits for Saxco International.
Owens worked closely with veteran graphics designer Jeff Ruth, of Shatterbox Studios in Lexington, Kentucky and business consultant Scott Schiller, of Thoroughbred Spirits Group, located just outside Chicago, to help manage the overall inspiration and design of the project. Owens says that both were instrumental in bringing the new product to market and ensuring that Ambrabev would be able to introduce this highly anticipated product in its ideal package.
Moving ahead with the project, Owens sourced and supplied a high quality 750 ML cylindrical bottle perfectly suited for the “luxury” nature that defines and identifies with the Espirito XVI brand. With round shoulders and a long neck the bottle ensures easy pouring for both consumers and bartenders. The bottle selected is produced by Piramal Glass, of Park Hills, Missouri, one of Saxco’s many quality and reliable supply partners in its vast global network. The bottles were sent to Serigraphie-Richford, of Quebec, Canada for spray frosting and a five-color screen printing process that depicts the Espirito XVI Cachaça logo and the iconic mosaic pattern that covers the sidewalks of Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In order to achieve the precise look and feel of what the client wanted, Owens worked through a multi- phased evolutionary processes with the Amrabev designers.
The bottles were capped with a sleek silver aluminum tee-top custom-fitted cork. Saxco turned to Tapi, of Norristown, PA, another excellent supply partner for the closure. The corks were over-fitted with a clear PVC Cap-A sleeve from Maverick Packaging, Inc., of Ukiah, CA. The customer supplied the custom-designed black strip stamp over the PVC sleeve.
“When developing the packaging for Espirito XVI Ultra-Premium Cachaça, it was important for us to design something that would project the same aura of authenticity and nuanced sophistication expressed by our cachaça. Every design element, from the iconic Ipanema mosaic pattern to the intricate XVI emblem, serves a specific purpose and is part of a greater narrative about Brazilian spirits, cocktails and culture, “ explains Zachary Baeker, Co-Founder of Ambrabev. It is currently being introduced in Florida, South Carolina, Indiana and Kentucky with additional markets rolling out in the coming year.
Espirito XVI is targeted at sophisticated and cultured consumer who understands the importance of style and quality in a luxury product. This consumer is someone who is well-educated and open to new exciting new experiences in cocktails, cuisines, arts, and travel. It is 40-percent Alcohol By Volume and 80-proof. The retail price for a 750 ML bottle is $32.99 (U.S. Dollars). For additional information, call 859-402-0777 or email info@ambrabev.com, or visit their website: www.EspiritoXVI.com.
About Saxco International, LLC
Saxco International, LLC, “Your choice for premium packaging solutions,” has more than 30 years of industry experience, providing a broad range of packaging products and services to the liquor, wine, beer and food industries. The company’s products and services include expert consultation from design to development, as well as customized services for packing. Saxco is headquartered in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with offices and warehouses in Louisville, Kentucky, Oakland, Fairfield and Napa, California, Vancouver, Washington, Tampa, Florida, Toronto, Ontario, Cincinnati, Ohio, Mountainside, New Jersey, Statesville, North Carolina, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and Qingdao, China. For additional information call 215-443-8100, fax 215-443-8370 or on the web at www.saxco.com.