Creative Direction, Art Direction, Photographer, Designer + Illustrator: Rodolfo Claros Berlioz

Balchéros Gin

Inspired by the ceremonial Mayan beverage Balché; Balchéros Gin aims to connect the mysticism of the Mayan civilization with one of the most finely crafted spirits worldwide.

Both distilled from the most honest and revered herbs, they aim to brew spiritual experiences that reconnect and replenish the soul.

Home-field

advantage.

Interest in imported spirits has been on the rise in Honduras. Sadly, this is because the only spirits produced in the country are of low quality and are targeted at audiences with a limited disposable income.

With the demand for healthier spirit options and the "local-first" mentality that Millenials and Gen Z have embraced, Balchéros stands as a worthy competitor in an import-dominated market.

28.5

million liters of spirits are estimated to be consumed in 2024. Previously in 2023, the amount capped at 27.9 million liters.

Moodboard

Mayan glyphs often show clear depictions of flora and fauna. Our goal was to take inspiration from them but also disrupt the minimal and subdued labels seen in popular gin bottles. Brands like Hendricks have created ornate labels for their limited edition/flavored products but we believe that boldness and spirit should not be released on a case-by-case basis.

Thumbnails

After multiple iterations, I concluded that to embrace the mysticism of the Balché ceremony I had to make a nod to one of the most respected deities in the Mayan pantheon, Camazotz. The winged god who ruled the Night and effortlessly soared through the land of the living and the land of the dead.

Camazotz

Pictured front and center on the label is the bat deity Camazotz. Besides being known as the god of Night and Death, it was believed that Camazotz was the god who brokered a deal with humans to bring fire into the living realm through a ceremonial sacrifice.

I embrace the image of the winged deity as a mystical being who brings unexpected and life-changing experiences through night-time ceremonies.

Balché

Flower

The flower found underneath the word "Balchéros" is inspired by a specific flower found in the Mayan murals of Tulum. Subject matter experts concluded that the original glyph is one of the blooming stages of one the key herbs used in the preparation of balché.