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You can now buy the world’s first carbon-neutral rum in the UK

15 February 2023 By Jessica Mason

Spirits importer and distributor Emporia Brands has added the world’s first carbon neutral rum, Ron Barceló, to its UK portfolio.

Ron Barceló, which recently ranked as number six in The Spirits Business’ top 10 biggest selling rum brands of 2022, is the only rum produced with 100% sugarcane juice from its own plantations in the Dominican Republic and was first created by Julián Barceló in 1929.

Ron Barceló was certified by the independent body, the Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) as the first rum to gain carbon neutral certification for the company and all its products. Long before sustainability became a talking point, Ron Barceló minimised its dependence on fossil fuels, ensuring that nearly 90% of the electricity it consumes comes from renewable or green sources, such as solar or biomass energy. It also continues to recapture all of the carbon dioxide from fermentation, transforming it into food grade carbon dioxide for use in fizzy drinks.

Emporia Brands managing director Jack Rackham said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Ron Barceló in the UK. We’re especially excited to be bringing in the Barceló Organic rum in as part of the range – this is the Dominican Republic’s first organic rum, made from fresh sugar cane juice, from Barceló’s wildest and oldest fields and it tastes fantastic and truly embodies what Ron Barceló is all about. Even the packaging is sustainable, made from a sugar cane-derived plant fibre case which is labelled using organic ink. Barceló’s way of working is such an inspiration to the industry as a whole and the consistent innovation matched with sustainability is remarkable.”

Speaking of the deal to bring Ron Barceló to British bars that want to showcase their sustainability and eco-credentials, Ron Barceló’s global brand ambassador Otto Flores explained: “Along with our partner Emporia, we will have a strong focus on brand building and distribution.”

The entire Ron Barceló range will be available to taste at The Rum Show on the 14 and 15 July and UK bar and bottleshop owners will be able to buy it from most major wholesalers, including the Whisky Exchange and Distillers Direct.