First Tequila in paperboard bottle launches

The first Tequila to be packaged in a paper-based bottle is launching in Europe.

Tequila Buen Vato, which is housed in a cardboard container made from 94 per cent recycled materials, is launching in Sweden with plans to target other European markets - including the UK, Italy, France and Spain - in the coming months.

The company claims it is "on a mission to shake up the drinks industry by investing in sustainable manufacturing, transportation processes and CSR [corporate social responbility] initiatives".

The first spirit to be released in a paperboard bottle was the Green Man Woodland Gin from Silent Pool Distillers in England, which was launched to coincide with Earth Day in April 2021.

As well as featuring a high proportion of recycled materials, the Tequila Buen Vato bottle is lighter, which reduces CO2 emissions from transport.

Following its official unveiling at the ProWein fair in Germany this month, the Tequila will launch with its first retailer, Sweden's monolopy spirits supplier Systembolaget, in July.

Tequila Buen Vato was developed by AliasSmith AB, which has invested and developed Mexican brands in Europe over the past two decades. The spirit for Tequila Buen Vato is produced in small batches in Amatitán Jalisco, Mexico. 

AliasSmith CEO Claes Puebla Smith said: "The drinks industry needs a shake-up, and sustainability needs to be placed at the heart of this transformation... The cardboard bottle is just the start - Buen Vato will constantly redesign the production, packaging and business model in order to reach perfect sustainability."

Mayra Zapata, head of CSR and communications at AliasSmith, said: "We're very proud of the CSR projects we're involved with in Mexico, which improve the lives of the employees and their families. We want the world to join us by raising a glass and saying, 'Here's to change'."

20 May 2022 - Bethany Whymark