Jägermeister, the German herb liqueur from Mast-Jägermeister, has appeared in Italy in a distinctive outer metal box designed to add a more modern feel – as liqueurs still suffer from an old fashioned image – and added gift-giving appeal.

In the US, for instance, over a third (36%) of people are motivated to purchase alcoholic beverages as a gift (Mintel report, Alcohol Consumption at Home - US - June 2010). 

The traditional heavily embossed 70cl green glass bottle has two litho-printed plain paper labels. An injection moulded pouring spout is held in the neck, featuring an outer aluminium ring and a screw-on, injection-moulded polypropylene cap. This bottle is house in the litho-printed and embossed, four-piece metal tin-plate container, which also has a flexo-

Make mine a double vodka bottle

New in the US from Adamba Imports International is the Vesica brand of triple distilled potato vodka available in a super-sized 1.75 litre plain glass bottle with a stand-out bulbous and cylindrical look.

The look is inspired by the vesica piscis shape (formed by the intersection of two circles of the same radius when the edge of each circle lies on the center of the other).

The one bottle resembles two cylindrical containers joined together with a single, central neck closure closed with an aluminium ROPP cap. Decoration is provided via silk screen and flexo printing as well as a holographic shimmer finish on a self-adhesive polypropylene plastic label.

Although the bottle shape appeals on an aesthetic/stylish level, it could face issues with regard to convenience – the bulbous shape and large size could make it cumbersome to pour.

According to the Mintel report, Alcohol Consumption at Home - US - June 2010, over a third of people (35%) in the US look for "packaging that makes consumption convenient and easy" when considering which alcoholic beverage product to purchase for consumption at home, ahead of "the packaging/bottle appears prestigious or sophisticated" (cited by 20% of people) or "the packaging/bottle appears sexy or hip" (cited by 17% of people).

Simple and effective for yogurt liqueur

In the Netherlands, Erven Lucas Bols released Natural Yogurt Liqueur under the Bols brand. One of only two liqueurs on the GNPD with this particular flavour, the product also features an interesting white, ribbed-design bottle.

The packaging colour reflects the yogurt ingredient and also helps to emphasise the natural aspect; white often associated with concepts such as purity.

Packaging is extremely important in this market: Mintel's August 2009 US Spirits report found that an interesting bottle or special packaging are factors that influenced 25% or more of consumers to try a new type or brand of distilled spirit.

And when asked the question "When considering which product of alcoholic beverage to purchase for consumption at home, how important are each of the following factors?", 18% of respondents cited "The packaging/bottle appears prestigious or sophisticated" as extremely/very important and 12% "The packaging/bottle appears sexy or hip".

The 500ml bottle is coated white and design tooled, featuring wraparound litho printed labels on plain paper and an aluminium ROPP cap with an inner plastic wad which acts as the closure.

In South Africa, Pick 'n Pay launched under the PnP No Name label, Late Harvest White Wine in a simple SIG Combibloc carton of multi layer board holding 500ml of wine. The packaging material comes from renewable resources and has a particularly low carbon footprint, whilst also being relatively cheap to manufacture and transport in comparison to glass.

The cap is plastic and the decorative process is gravure using a dark blue to provide contrast against the white box, effectively marketing the wine as part of a basic, economy range.

This box is a simple and effective way of packaging wine, however it may have limited appeal given that a regular glass bottle continues to be the most purchased packaging type. In the US for instance, some 92% of consumers report buying wine in a glass bottle with only 21% buying wine in boxes. (Mintel report, Wine - US - October 2010).

Pick 'n Pay
Late Harvest White Wine

Ahead in the vodka field

In the US, Infiniun Spirits has introduced a Kosher certified vodka that is quadruple distilled and triple filtered through polished crystals known as Herkimer Diamonds. Crystal Head Vodka is packaged in a 75cl skull-shaped glass bottle by Bruni Glass, Italy, finished with a synthetic stopper with wood top and retails for US$49.78 (€36.60).

Made from water from a deep aquifer in New Foundland, Canada, "it is pure spirit free of any additives such as sugar, glycerin, or citrus oil". The company says.
Infinium Spirits was created in 2005 by Wilson Daniels to better distinguish itself from the wine division and to focus on its growing spirits portfolio. Based in Southern California, Infinium Spirits is focused on developing distinctive Spirits brands in the premium and ultra-premium segments.

Tequila alive in works of art

This month (January 2010) Proximo Spirits has launched in the US a limited edition tequila in a stunning bottle. Essential 1800 silver tequila is made from 100% blue agave and double distilled. The product retails in 750ml bottles, featuring artwork realized by artists from around the world. Also available is a "Flight of the Toastman" design.
US$ 25.99, €17.47

Proximo is a newly formed, privately owned, premium spirits importer based in New York. With just over a year in business, the company’s portfolio has grown to hold five award winning premium brands including: 1800 Tequila, Three Olives Vodka, Gran Centenario Tequila, Ron Matusalem Rum, The Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Azul Tequila and Maestro Dobel Diamond Tequila.

New SA wine takes novel approach to positioning, branding and labelling

In South Africa, Woolworths has launched Alexa 'Blank' Hands On Wine. The 'Blank' wine is available in a 750ml bottle with a 100% recycled paper label printed with vegetable inks.

Hands on Wine is a collaboration with Woolworths with each distinct wine being "skillfully created by mavericks of the industry". According to the manufacturer, their unflinching pursuit of excellence is what sets this wine apart.

The Blank bottle concept is driven by a direct interactive dynamic between the winemaker and the adventurous wine drinker. Alliances are formed with vineyards, winemakers and wineries all over South Africa, who then craft unique blends of premium character.

The Blank bottle is claimed to leave consumers in the dark about the cultivar, the region and the year of vintage so there is no label to go by, only the taste.

ZAR69.95, US$9.38, €6.27

Sherry to be kept under lock and key

From Jerez in Spain is Valdespino Pedro Ximenez El Candado sherry, unusually and stylishly packaged in a 75ck bottle with a cap that features a small padlock and keys to "ensure the drink is kept safe".

Priced at €9.95, US$13.75

Absolut salutes Boston

Pernod Ricard US has launched a a limited edition city-inspired addition to its range of Absolut flavoured vodkas.

Absolut Boston is flavoured with back tea and elderflower and packaged in the iconic Absolut bottle with a bespoke label "as an homage to one of the city's most iconic monuments and local sports fanaticism".

Vodka infused with energy

Los Angeles company Jett Spirits has introduced Jet Vodka containing caffeine, guarana and ginseng for an extra energy boost.

The product has been entirely produced in France, made from 100% French wheat and rye and it has been distilled three times for better purity and smoothness. It does not contain added sugar, artificial colours and flavours.

Wine in PET launched on Japanese market

In Japan, Suntory has launched a medium bodied red wine called Coco Vin Rouge plus a white, Coco Vin Blanc, both produced from grapes grown in the company's vineyards in southern France.

The product retails in a 750ml recyclable PET bottle which is up to 30% lighter than glass, and thereby reducing carbon dioxide usage. The bottle and cap are both recyclable.

RRP JPY698.00, US$8.10, €5.37

This new variety/range extension from Suntory in Japan has been introduced as a limited edition. The coconut and pineapple flavoured drink is a premium rum cocktail of 6% abv, packaged in a 150ml jam-jar-like waisted drinking glass, with an aluminium foil seal.

This product is made with 100% pineapple juice mixed with rum and a touch of coconut flavour.

RRP JPY238.00 (US$2.51, €1.78)
(Nov 09)

Containing real fruit juices, this RTD is intended to be enjoyed straight from the pouch or squeezed into a glass.

Pouches are "cool" for vodka RTD

New to the Zero brand range from The Garden Spring Beverage Corporation in Canada is a mandarin-orange flavoured vodka "cooler a la vodka".

The 7% abv product is available in a pack that contains 6 x 200ml flexible stand-up pouches, which are claimed to use up to 95% less packaging by weight compared to other rigid beverage containers.
RRP CAD9.95, US$9.24, €6.44
(Nov 09)

STOP! global warming can

Suntory has introduced a 5% ABV low-malt beer-style drink called Kinmugi in a limited-edition STOP! Global Warming Can.

The product was developed in collaboration with retailer Lawson CVS and is available only at CVS outlets – for each purchase the company offsets 1kg of Japanese CO2 emissions.

For further interactivity, the consumer can also access the company's site via a cell-phone readable barcode printed on the pack, offsetting a further 100g of CO2.

It is available in 350ml and 500ml cans. RRP JPY179.00, (US$1.88, €1.32).
(Nov 09)

Beer for the blind

In Demark, Midtfyns Brewery has introduced in conjunction with Coop, Mantax Etiketter and the Dansk Blindesamfund (Danish Institute for the Blind) the first beer for blind people, which features a Braille Label.

The product is 6.8% abv and retails in a 50cl glass beer bottle. DKK34.95, US$6.86, €4.70.
(Nov 09)

Views of Mexico

Corona Extra Beer from Cerveceria Modelo in Mexico is now available with a variety of Mexican landscapes depicted on the packaging.

The new bottle designs are sold in packs containing 6 x 325ml glass bottles with shrink sleeve labels each featuring images from different places in Mexico. MXN53.13, US$4.09, €2.90
(Nov 09)