A summer signing from Brazil for Bacardi-Martini Ltd.
Date Posted: 07 Aug 09
Posted By: Paul Caffell
Keywords: Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands Distribute Leblon® Cachaça Leblon Cachaca Summer 2009 Brazil Sugar Cane Caipirinha Cocktail Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands Distribute Leblon® Cachaça Leblon Cachaca Summer 2009 Brazil Sugar Cane Caipirinha Cocktail Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands Distribute Leblon® Cachaça Leblon Cachaca Summer 2009 Brazil Sugar Cane Caipirinha Cocktail Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands Distribute Leblon® Cachaça Leblon Cachaca Summer 2009 Brazil Sugar Cane Caipirinha Cocktail Bacardi Brown-Forman
A summer signing from Brazil for Bacardi-Martini Ltd.
Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands to distribute Leblon® cachaça
From today Leblon® - the world’s first ultra-premium Cachaça - will be marketed exclusively by Bacardi-Martini Ltd. in the UK, where it joins in the premium spirits portfolio.
Leblon is an artisanal Cachaça; the third best selling spirit in the world, made only in Brazil from pressed sugar cane juice and the key ingredient in the Caipirinha cocktail.
Marketing Director John Burke comments: ‘The addition of Leblon to our portfolio comes at an exciting time for Cachaça. Many consumers will have heard of the spirit - perhaps even more so the Caipirinha cocktail - but only 1% of total production is exported outside of Brazil. With a growing appetite for Latin American spirits here in the UK, Leblon has the unique brand-story and superior flavour profile to ensure we are perfectly placed to capitalise on this trend.’
Leblon combines all the allure of Brazilian culture, the history of the national spirit and adds a touch of French refinement.
The state-of-the-art Maison Leblon production facility is overseen by master distiller Gilles Merlet – of France’s world renowned cognac and liqueur making family - to create a luxurious take on Cachaça for the modern spirits market.
From start to finish Leblon is natural, hand-crafted and artisanal: the location and terroir of the Minas Gerais estate guarantees that Leblon’s sugar cane is the sweetest and juiciest available in Brazil while fermentation is done slowly and with natural yeast from the cane itself.
Small batch distillation takes place in copper alambique, rather than continuous stills and light ageing takes place in aged cognac barrels for 6 months.
Gilles Merlet comments: ‘With Leblon our aim has always been to produce the champagne of cane spirits. We are delighted that Bacardi-Martini Ltd. has seen the vast potential in the category which will enable us to educate bartenders and consumers in the UK and throughout the world about our new-generation Cachaça.’
The Bacardi-Martini Ltd partnership will see Leblon grow its distribution in key regional cities and increase its presence in the top end on-trade in London, supported by a programme of trade and consumer facing PR and events.
For further information, interview requests & images please contact Ali Gunning, neon
+44(0)7855 402 837/ ali@neon.ag
• Leblon was founded by US entrepreneur Steve Luttman in 2005
• Leblon is the most highly decorated premium Cachaça - The San Francisco World Spirits Competition awarded Leblon Gold in 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006, while the Rum Experience 2007, in London selected Leblon as its ‘best in class’ Cachaça
• Flavour complexity, body, and aroma are characteristic of Leblon. The distinct vegetal and grassy notes of Cachaça are balanced with sweetness; the nose is fresh, the mouth-feel creamy and the finish smooth
• Leblon is available now in leading cocktail bars such as 69 Colebrooke Row, Skylon, Nobu and the Cuckoo Club and leading Latin American outlets such as Barrio North and Guanabara
• Leblon is available online from www.thedrinkshop.com.
• How to enjoy Leblon:
o It takes the best Cachaça to make the best Caipirinha: get a good sized lime, cut it into 8 wedges, and place 4 wedges in a rocks glass. Add two teaspoons of sugar, mash the lime and sugar with a muddler for 15 seconds and add crushed ice up to the rim of the glass. Add 50ml of Leblon Cachaça, stir thoroughly, and garnish with a lime wedge.
o Leblon recommends trying a Fresh Fruit Caipirinha with in-season or local favourites such as pineapple, raspberries, watermelon or tangerines. Herbs such as mint, cilantro or basil can add a unique twist.
o Leblon’s Cachaça has amazing versatility, and is being used by bartenders and mixologists in their own creative concoctions, from twists on the classics (e.g. Brazilian Cosmopolitans or Martinis) to frozen drinks (‘Batidas') and ‘bar chef’ mixology.
• Please enjoy Leblon responsibly. www.drinkaware.co.uk
• Leblon is a registered trademark.
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