Honoring the beauty and culture of the city of New Orleans , Philadelphia Distilling,  of   Philadelphia , PA , is introducing its new Vieux Carre Absinthe Superieure, the first legal absinthe to be distilled, bottled and sold on the East Coast of the United States in nearly 100 years.

 To help create an attractive and bold look for distinctive eye appeal and unique shelf prominence, it called upon Saxco International, Inc., of Horsham , PA , world-wide packaging specialist for the wine and spirits industry. �We were looking to create a package which was reflective of the culture and lifestyle of New Orleans and commensurate with the high quality of this unique spirit,� explains Andrew Auwerda, president of Philadelphia Distilling.

 With that in mind, Saxco International supplied a 750 ml square flint bottle with a long neck from Saverglass in France, one of its reliable and quality vendors in its vast global resource network. The bottle was decorated by Quest, Inc., of Hillside , New Jersey , another Saxco resource. Quest handled the silk screening of an original floral wallpaper design on all four sides which is symbolic of the southern  city�s iron work in the French Quarter. The black Vieux Carre identification on the front also was applied by Quest. Philadelphia Distilling provided and applied the bottle�s green and black neck band and complementary square-top glass stopper.

 According to Auwerda, �The spirits� flavor and color is derived exclusively from 100% natural herbs. The flavor is simultaneously complex, mysterious and engaging and its deep olive color is reminiscent of a vintage jewel.� Vieux Carre Absinthe Superieure is batch distilled using a traditional �double maceration� process featuring the mysterious grande wormwood and petite wormwood. Green and star anise, fennel, doux provence , melissa, genepi, hyssop and spearmint complete the complex flavor profile. �Vieux Carre is an original artisan spirit that comfortably blends historic processes with modern distilling technology,� Auwerda notes. �The warm, long and lingering finish is harmonious, sophisticated and subtle.� The spirit was specifically designed and distilled to work straight up or with other premium cocktail ingredients. Master Distiller Robert John Cassell continues to build on his career milestones  with his work on Vieux Carre.

 Vieux Carre is being introduced first in the Pennsylvania and Kentucky markets and  soon will be rolled out in other eastern states before moving westward. The retail price  for a 750 ml bottle is $60. Philadelphia Distilling is located at 12285 McNulty Road., Suite 105 Philadelphia , PA , 19154 and can be reached at 215-671-0346.

 �We are very gratified and excited about our role in helping Philadelphia Distilling to  bring Vieux Carre to the American marketplace,� states Herbert L. Sachs, president of Saxco  International. Sachs worked closely with Auwerda on the all-important packaging aspect of the  project.