AliasSmith debuts Tequila in paper bottle
Distributor AliasSmith has introduced ‘the world’s first’ Tequila in a fully recyclable paper bottle, Buen Vato, to the Swedish market.
Buen Vato Tequila champions sustainable packaging with a cardboard paper bottle that is five times lighter than traditional glass, reducing carbon emissions by 84% compared with conventional alternatives.
Now available at Sweden’s spirits monopoly Systembolaget, the new offering is a collaboration between Tequila Selecto de Amatitán Distillery, producer of Buen Vato, and AliasSmith’s Swedish-Mexican team.
According to Fernando Real, head of Tequila Selecto de Amatitán Distillery, the partnership with AliasSmith has unexpectedly strengthened their operations. The decision to create a Tequila in a paper bottle arose naturally from their mutual commitment to sustainability.
Real said: “Collaborating on sustainability has improved production efficiency and boosted employee satisfaction.
“We never imagined this project would lead to the world’s first paper-bottle Tequila, but it’s a milestone we’re incredibly proud of.”
Buen Vato, translating to ‘nice guy’ or ‘good gangster’ in Spanish, aims to capture ‘the essence of being a little mischievous while doing good for the world’.
Omar Corona, technical director of Buen Vato, commented: “Buen Vato isn’t just a good Tequila – it’s good for the planet. By bottling in Europe and using an innovative paper bottle, we’ve significantly reduced our carbon footprint.”
Offered at 38% ABV, Buen Vato will initially be available at 120 Systembolaget stores across Sweden, priced at around €25 (US$29).
The creative process
According to Corona, the venture was inspired by Systembolaget’s strict corporate social responsibility (CSR) requirements. These regulations necessitated compliance from all producers featured on their shelves, prompting AliasSmith to undertake a transformative journey.
Driven by previous challenges with the producer’s Los Tres Toños Tequila, AliasSmith reportedly faced the possibility of being banned from the retailer due to shortcomings at the distillery.
In response, the distributor hired an environmental engineer and convinced the producer to invest significantly in sustainability improvements. Over 18 months, 1,427 engineering hours and US$1 million in investments resulted in progress that surpassed the required standards.
Encouraged by a ‘significant’ increase in sales, AliasSmith doubled down on sustainability by hiring a second environmental engineer, Corona, who now oversees Buen Vato’s technical development and global expansion.
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