Author: jude.huang

The recent global glass shortage has impacted the spirits supply chain worldwide. We suddenly found ourselves with no access to the bottles we had used for years. What could have thrown off production, however, ended up a silver lining – we took swift action to identify and shift to a new partner. 

All Ilegal Mezcal bottles will now be made by a family-run company that recycles 10,000 tons of glass each year at its facility in Jalisco, Mexico. Fusion y Formas’ production process emits less CO2 emissions and saves energy during the smelting process, since recycled glass is more malleable. Compared to newly-made bottles, those at Fusion y Formas require about 30% less energy to create.

A brief meeting between Ilegal founder John Rexer and Fusion y Formas Director Andrés Hernández Romo sealed the partnership deal. 

“We measure success at Ilegal not just by cases sold, but also by our partners and environmental initiatives we can enact. We share the same vision with Fusion y Formas to build sustainably and scale responsibly, while maintaining quality above all else,” said Rexer. 

“My family has long taken glass that would otherwise go to a landfill and crafted it into bottles and more, with the goal of minimizing waste. I enjoy Ilegal Mezcal and am happy to help move them to bottles that are better for the environment,” said Romo. 

Ilegal was created with a commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. Using only fully mature 100% sustainable espadín agave, our mezcal contains no artificial colors, yeasts, flavors, or additives. Waste water at the distillery is treated and then re-used for distillation, and agave fiber waste is transformed into adobe style bricks used at the facility.

As of April 1, 2022, the new post-consumer recycled (PCR) bottles, both 750ml and 375ml, are now the only Ilegal Mezcal bottles shipping out of Mexico.

Photo Credit: Lindsay Wynn

Participating locations are serving the Celebrating YOU cocktail with Ilegal Mezcal, with part of sales going to wayOUT: a non-profit organization that partners with local gender expansive LGBTQ+ programs across the US.

On May 15, 2022, 4100 Bar hosted a Los Angeles Celebrating YOU event, raising funds towards wayOUT. At the helm were 4100 Bar GM Erica Saturno, bar manager Rachel Babel, lead bartender Rory Mahon, and bar back Marley Jones.

The event was a collaboration between Ilegal Mezcal, 4100 Bar, and District Productions – Omar Rivas and Andy Garcia organized local 12 artisans, pulled in local traffic, and 4 bands with sounds to keep an amazing crowd of people from 5-midnight.

Ilegal Mezcal Celebrating YOU flash tattoos were provided by artist Fernando Garcia. A total of 76 Celebrating YOU cocktail were sold at the event, and the cocktail continues to be sold at the venue.

Check out photos by René Banuelos from the event in our gallery below!