Need to Know

Mexico – Mezcal brand OAX Original has unveiled its limited-edition debut collection, stored inside ceramic bottles that differ from traditional spirits packaging.

The trio of mezcal bottles take design cues from Mexican architecture by incorporating a triangular neck, which is typical of bright geometric and minimalist-style buildings seen in Latin America. Using ceramic instead of a more traditional material like glass, the packaging aims to enrich the drinking experience by creating a sensorial experience.

By placing an emphasis on aesthetics, the brand hopes its mezcal will stand out from others in the market and act as an artistic piece in the owner’s home. What's more, OAX Original is made in small batches, 'to preserve raw beauty, the wilderness and the pure craftsmanship behind each bottle'.

Premium alcohol packaging is being elevated, as drinks brands use alternative materials to forge a closer connection with drinkers.

Analysis by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that almost one in eight British families has no access to a private or shared garden, affecting 3.3m families across the country.

Regionally, the lack of access varies greatly, with 3% of households in South Tyneside unable to access green spaces compared with 40% of homes in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. The research also shows racial disparity in access to green spaces. White people are twice as likely as Black people to have a private garden regardless of factors like age, social status and living situation.

The research links the regional variation in green space accessibility to the greater density of flats in cities like London. With more value placed on nature among Britons during Covid-19 lockdowns, brands must make efforts to diversify nature, as well as taking part in a greater push towards Urban Wellness in our cities.