January 26, 2000

Saxco International's Packaging Solution is Integral Part of Flagship Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Roll Out

As part of its plan to mark its storied American heritage dating back to 1773 and to call attention to its new company name, the Buffalo Trace Distillery introduced a new flagship Buffalo Trace Aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

The Franklin County, Ky., distiller changed its name last June to Buffalo Trace Distillery to identify more closely with the history of its site located on one of America�s authentic buffalo crossings.

To help supply the essential packaging aspect for the new limited edition bourbon, it called upon Saxco International Inc. of Horsham, Pa., worldwide packaging specialists for the wine and spirits industry.

�We were called in to help create a distinct, bold, decorative image for this special commemorative bourbon,� states Herb Sachs, president of Saxco International.

Saxco sourced the 750mL, liter and 1.75 flint glass bottles from a supplier in Montreal, Canada. It also arranged for the decorative aspects to be applied to the bottles. The bottles feature both silk-screened and permanent labels. One of the unique aspects of the permanent label was a piece of original art � a rendering of a buffalo, commissioned specifically for the product�s introduction.

The labels themselves were designed by the Buffalo Trace Distillery�s in-house graphics department and were produced by Jonergin of Montreal Saxco also was responsible for applying the front and back pressure-sensitive labels to the bottle.

Adding to the product's overall ambiance is a green and gold wood top cork stopper, overfitted with a tin capsule which was used for the 750mL and liter bottles. Long-time Saxco source J.C. Ribeiro of Portugal supplied the wood top stoppers for all three sizes, while Pechiney of Paris, France, handled the tin capsules. CMS Gilbreth, Bensalem, Pa., was the source for the PVC shrink sleeve used solely on the 1.75mL version.

According to Chris McCrory, a brand manager at America's oldest, continuously operated distillery, "The premium Buffalo Trace Bourbon has been released in Kentucky but will soon be rolled out in additional select U.S. markets. It's a premium brand targeted at the sophisticated, upscale bourbon drinker."

The packaging aspect of the product took just over a year to complete.

---

Saxco International has more than 20 years of industry experience, providing a broad range of packaging products and services to the liquor and wine industries. In addition to supplying packaging enhancement products, the company�s services include expert consultation from development to design. SAXCO is headquartered in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with sales offices in New Brunswick, New Jersey; Boston, Massachusetts; Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; Redwood City, California; Tampa, Florida; and Hook Hampshire, England. Additional details at (215) 443-8100, fax (215) 443-8370.