A Welsh spirits producer has launched three drinks in paper-based bottles, combining a new packaging format with a charitable partnership supporting rhino conservation.
Welsh Shepherd Spirits has introduced Protector Gin, Ranger Rum and Welsh Shepherd Spiced Rum in Frugal Bottle packaging. The bottles use a recycled-paperboard outer casing and a food-grade pouch, offering an alternative to conventional glass packaging.
The company says 50% of the profits from Protector Gin and Ranger Rum will go to Care for Wild, a rhino sanctuary in South Africa. The charitable pledge does not apply to the entire range.
The producer lists Protector Gin and Ranger Rum at £42 for a 70cl bottle, with Welsh Shepherd Spiced Rum priced at £40.
Three drinks with different inspirations
Protector Gin includes rooibos among its botanicals and draws inspiration from South Africa. Ranger Rum takes inspiration from neighbouring Eswatini, while Welsh Shepherd Spiced Rum combines rums from South America and Barbados with spices and Welsh oak.
The products bring together different ingredients and origins under the Welsh Shepherd Spirits name. The packaging provides a common feature across the new range, while the conservation link gives two of the drinks an additional purpose.
Care for Wild works to rescue, rehabilitate and protect rhinos. Welsh Shepherd Spirits says its profit contribution from Protector Gin and Ranger Rum will support the charity's work.
The company has not announced a projected donation total. The amount contributed will depend on the profits generated by the two products.
An alternative to glass
Frugal Bottle is designed as a lighter alternative to conventional glass bottles. Its construction combines a paperboard outer shell with an inner pouch that holds the drink.
Frugalpac, the company behind the packaging, promotes the format on the basis of its weight and environmental performance. Welsh Shepherd Spirits has cited comparisons suggesting the bottles are six times lighter than glass and have a substantially lower carbon footprint.
The environmental performance of packaging depends on more than its weight, however. Materials, manufacturing, transport and end-of-life disposal all affect its overall impact.
The launch brings a different packaging option to the Welsh spirits market, alongside products that combine Welsh branding with ingredients and inspirations from elsewhere in the world.
For consumers, the new range offers a choice of gin and rum in a format that differs from the glass bottles commonly used for spirits. The charitable commitment on two products also gives buyers an opportunity to support the conservation work associated with Care for Wild.
