In an effort to further promote and introduce more U.S. consumers to its Don Eduardo Premium Tequila, Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide and Tequila Orendain de Jalisco, S.A. decided to bring new 50ml versions to the market.

To help replicate as closely as possible its previously introduced 750ml packages, they contacted Saxco International, Inc., Horsham, Pa., world-wide packaging specialists for the wine and spirits industry. Saxco previously designed, sourced and supplied a high quality glass stopper in two colors for its Don Eduardo Anejo and Silver Tequilas to coincide with the overall distinctive appearance of the bottles.

"The challenge in the 50ml versions was to replicate the glass stoppers as closely as possible and maintain the overall quality," states Keith L. Sachs, chairman of Saxco International "However, it was realized that it would not be possible to produce as small a glass stopper as would be required for the 50ml size because the stem would be too thin and fragile to accommodate the cork. Therefore, we needed to move in another direction."

To fulfill this all-important packaging aspect, Saxco was able to source plastic versions of the stopper in green for the Anejo and blue for the Silver from an Italian supplier. The supplier developed a custom injection mold to manufacture the plastic tops. The drilled corks were supplied and assembled with the tops by J.C. Ribeiro.

"We were extremely pleased with the quality and appearance of the stoppers," states Wayne Rose, vice president and brand general manager for Don Eduardo Tequila.

He says that the premium tequilas, both 100 percent agave, will be targeted in the United States at an upscale, sophisticated connoisseur who understands and appreciates quality sprits. The Don Eduardo Anejo is aged in once-used premium bourbon barrels, while the Don Eduardo silver is triple distilled for ultimate smoothness. Both will retail for about $5.99.

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 additional to supplying packaging enhancement products, the company�s services include expert consultation from development to design.