Founded in 2006, Sombra Mezcal is made in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca, Mexico. Sombra comes from organically farmed, high-altitude Espadín agave, distilled at the traditional strength of 90 proof. The brand maintains high standards of sustainability.

The new bottle design takes inspiration from the vaso veladora, a Mexican classic. Originally these glass cups held prayer candles in Oaxacan churches. Somewhere along the line, someone had the idea of borrowing the candle containers to drink mezcal, and a tradition was born.

The grey-shaded glass color is a nod to the brand’s name (which means “shadow” in Spanish), and the light smokiness of the taste, the company says. The refreshed logo and copper lettering represent the stills used in distillation. The label shape represents the brick made by Sombra’s Adobe Brick Project, which is part of Sombra’s sustainability initiatives at their distillery in Santiago Matatlán, Oaxaca. The Sombra Adobe brick project upcycles distillation waste to create adobe bricks used to build houses for those in need in the community. 

“We are very proud of this new iconic bottle. It reflects a contemporary expression of our history and traditions,” says Martha Jimenez, Sombra’s GM and director of the Sombra Adobe Brick Project. “It fills me with happiness that the bottle is part of the adobe bricks project and inspires me to improve by helping more indigenous families and communities through it.”

“The new bottle uses a reduced glass weight making it more eco-friendly,” she adds.

The new bottle was a collaboration with the design studio Sandstrom. “The result is respectful of Oaxacan traditions and Mexican design where purpose, function and beauty are all part of the execution,” says Steve Sandstrom, founder and partner of Sandstrom Design.