Coca-Cola HBC Italia and Barcelò together for the distribution of the Barcelò range in Italy

Milan, December 17, 2020 – Coca-Cola HBC Italia, the leading producer and distributor of The Coca-Cola Company branded beverages in the country, has signed a commercial  agreement with Ron Barcelò Europa S.L. for the distribution of products from Barcelò's award-winning range of Dominican rums in all channels of the Italian market.

The Barcelò range will be distributed on the national market in the different variants available: Barcelò Blanco, Barcelò Dorado, Barcelò Gran Añejo, Barcelò Imperial, Barcelò Imperial Premium Blend and the two novelties for the Italian market: Barcelò Imperial Onyx and Barcelò Organic.

Frank O'Donnell, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Italia expresses his satisfaction: "We are extremely proud to announce the beginning of a partnership with a historic and reference company for the international rum market such as Barcelò. The agreement is the result of great teamwork between our two companies who  have managed to build together a dedicated plan for the relaunch of an excellent range of products in the Italian market."

Fernando Barrera, International Area Development Director Europe & Asia at Barcelò, adds: "There are many paths that can lead to success, but working together with a strategic partner with whom you share the same business philosophy and values is the only possible way to achieve ambitious goals. We are confident that our agreement will lead us to face new challenges that we will face with curiosity and a desire to surprise our consumers, with the aim of being considered the best company for every consumption occasion. Our strategic alliance with Coca-Cola HBC Italia will be a new test for Barcelò's history. We are sure that by joining forces, we will be able to achieve new important goals in the Italian Spirits industry."          

Barcelò is the only brand in the Dominican Republic, and one of the few in the world, to own its own sugar cane crops. In this way, the company can control and guarantee the entire production chain. Less than 10% of the world's rums are produced directly from sugarcane juice, while most other brands use molasses, a by-product generated by industrial sugar production. Fermented, distilled, aged and bottled in the Dominican Republic, the Barcelò product range represents the excellence of the Caribbean. 

A complete range consisting of Blanco and Dorado, the two standard quality proposals for line mixology; among the Premium propositions, Barcelò Gran Añejo, suitable for both quality mixology and straight drinking; Barcelò Imperial is the Ultra Premium proposal that is enriched this year with the Imperial Onyx variant, a novelty for the Italian market. Also eagerly awaited news for the Italian market is the new product being launched Barcelò Organic, certified 100% organic. The spearhead of the Barcelò range is Imperial Premium Blend, created on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of the first production of Barcelò Imperial.

The Barcelò range will complete and strengthen the commercial premium spirits offered by Coca-Cola HBC Italia, such as Tequila Corralejo, The Famous Grouse, Snow Leopard vodka, Cutty Sark Prohibition, Linea Lucano Anniversario, Gin and Vermouth Super premium from the Silvio Carta line. 

The Barcelò range will be distributed exclusively by Coca-Cola HBC Italia in large-scale distribution and in the Cash & Carry channel, as well as in the Ho.Re.Ca channel.