Spirited Virginia Q4 2023 - 36

historic shape, which was established
in the mid-19th century-a long neck,
flaring shoulders and a stout, tapered
base. The shape, together with the wax
seal, accentuate the 500-year-old roots
of the herb-and-spice liqueur.
Bosscal bottles represent the volcanic
rock used to cook the agave hearts for
the mezcal. " The rock shape is natural
and random, " Bosscal branding declares.
" It purposefully gives one the sense of
something ancient, which has been hand
crafted to a perfect, yet natural, shape. "
Familia Camarena Tequila designed
its bottle to echo the centuries-old bell
of Arandas in Jalisco, Mexico, which
" tolls to this day, signaling celebrations
and drawing in the community from
miles around. "
Some brands choose ceramics instead
Color is a key aspect of many notable
bottles, as are strong logos and toppers.
Angel's Envy Bourbon; tapered Cierto
Tequila bottles; the simple, solid ceramic
vessels for Tequila Komos; and the beveled,
jewel-like edges of Casa Noble
Tequila containers. The tall, thin and
elegant decanters that hold Clase Azul
Tequilas are works of art, worthy of
displaying even after the liquor is gone.
Other bottles present a classic, nostalgic
feel, like moonshine in Mason
jars and Maestro Dobel Tequila, which
use old-fashioned embossed lettering.
Bénédictine bottles maintain their
36 VIRGINIA ABC | ABC.VIRGINIA.GOV
of glass, often for premium offerings.
Several tequila brands, including Grand
Mayan, Asombroso, Clase Azul, Komos
and Hussong's, continue Mexico's rich
history of earthenware through their
choice of container.
Some unique bottles even reflect
the brand through their visuals. The
round, vibrant-blue Ocean Organic Vodka
bottle, tilted on its side, brings to mind
a bottle floating in the sea, harboring a
mysterious message. The tapered Rain
Vodka bottle, transitioning upward from
a deeply colored base to a frosted stem,
resembles a raindrop. The shape of the
Lobos Tequila bottle conjures a wolf's
head. Skelly Tequila is clearly skeletal.
Eight Reserve is packaged in a figure
8-shaped bottle. Both the shape and
color of a Frangelico bottle whisper
of the monks who initially created the
hazelnut liqueur.
Color Talks
Color has long conveyed meaning. In
packaging, it captures a customer's
attention as it communicates a message.
When you stroll the aisles of your
Virginia ABC store, an array of colors
will catch your eye.
On the rum aisle, Blue Chair Bay
rums show off a rainbow, each hue
representing a different flavor. Other
brands use color to distinguish among
their offerings, such as Milagro's different
aged tequilas and Select Barrel
Reserve options.
Black presents a mysterious intrigue
of its own. El Silencio Espadin's black
bottle is inspired by historic Barro Negro
pottery. It's made with 100% black glass
with a matte finish, maintaining the look
and feel of the traditional pottery style
from the black clay of the Monte Alban
period. The Scapegrace Black Gin bottle
reflects its unique gin, which draws a
black hue from botanical extracts used
to make it.
You'll notice frosted glass on ABC
store shelves, too. While not a color,
per se, frosted glass can send a message
of " cool. " Virginia Frost Vodka's frosted
glass bottle gives off vibes of an icy-fog
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