Bacardi Is to Bring Havana Club Rum Back to the U.S. - Tiki Drinks and Food

RND Rum Numb Davey Tiki Socialite Phoenix, AZ Joined: Jul 17, 2005 Posts: 204	RND Rum Numb Davey Posted posted on Wed, Aug 9, 2006 11:02 AM This is an interesting development. If and when the regime in Cuba changes and the embargo is lifted Southern Wine & Spirits (14 US States, largest US Distributor) has the rights for importation of Havana Club. If Bacardi owns the rights to the name "Havana Club" which they now do in US, Southern will label authentic Cuban Havana Club under a new name like Havana Nights, Buena Vista Club, or some other approved name they have waiting. You see, Southern is deeply in bed with Cruzan (Todd Hunter) and are directly attempting (good luck - typical American consumer is label whore) to erode National market share of Bacardi. By that token, Bacardi knows that if Cuban government/US mend enough fences upon Fidel's demise, then the ONE significant brand of rum that can ACTUALLY hurt them is in the ENEMY (SWS) hands. That is a significant reason they snatched the name, as they want to diminish the brand power. Pernod has become a major supplier to Southern in USA, and they have done a fantastic job positioning Havana Club in Europe and Asia. Bacardi knows this and they are vicious at protecting their business as #1 Rum producer and marketer. How do I know all this? I am a wine and spirits broker and Southern Wine & Spirits is a wholesaler of mine. The liquor business is big business like oil, banking, and fast food. Bacardi is a total anomaly as it is family owned and controlled, and the family are zealots at protecting their products position. I am not someone who bashes another for protecting their interests. How would you like some dictator to come snatch your company that you poured your blood, sweat, and tears into? The Bacardi's were historically wronged, and the rose above and created a super nova of a rum company. Sure, Deussen produces slick ads for Bacardi in the vein of Bud, Coke, or Mickey D's. It is because all of us "sheeple" set around buying that crap. I may not, and perhaps you do not, but we are not in the vast millions who do everyday. You can buy authentic Havana Club in Mexico all day long. It is NOT cheap, as many falsely report as Mexican excise and tariff on import liquor is outrageous. It is about 20 US Dollars a bottle unaged in Mexican chains like Soriana. As far as authentic Cuban cigars, Mexico has become the BEST counterfeiter of Habanos in the World. The real deal is also very expensive, and all the border towns sell gullible gringos Mexican fake Cohibas all day long with fancy boxes and fake stamps. Usually dehumidified, and way overpriced for Mexican tobacco. Buyer beware! That being said, Havana is a great place to pay for fake Cohibas, as well. In closing, it is not some conspiracy to keep mythical brands of Tiki top choice spirits out of our hands or off our bamboo bars...it is all market considerations. It is all about the all-mighty dollar!

This is an interesting development. If and when the regime in Cuba changes and the embargo is lifted Southern Wine & Spirits (14 US States, largest US Distributor) has the rights for importation of Havana Club.
If Bacardi owns the rights to the name "Havana Club" which they now do in US, Southern will label authentic Cuban Havana Club under a new name like Havana Nights, Buena Vista Club, or some other approved name they have waiting.

You see, Southern is deeply in bed with Cruzan (Todd Hunter) and are directly attempting (good luck - typical American consumer is label whore) to erode National market share of Bacardi. By that token, Bacardi knows that if Cuban government/US mend enough fences upon Fidel's demise, then the ONE significant brand of rum that can ACTUALLY hurt them is in the ENEMY (SWS) hands. That is a significant reason they snatched the name, as they want to diminish the brand power.

Pernod has become a major supplier to Southern in USA, and they have done a fantastic job positioning Havana Club in Europe and Asia. Bacardi knows this and they are vicious at protecting their business as #1 Rum producer and marketer.

How do I know all this? I am a wine and spirits broker and Southern Wine & Spirits is a wholesaler of mine. The liquor business is big business like oil, banking, and fast food. Bacardi is a total anomaly as it is family owned and controlled, and the family are zealots at protecting their products position. I am not someone who bashes another for protecting their interests. How would you like some dictator to come snatch your company that you poured your blood, sweat, and tears into? The Bacardi's were historically wronged, and the rose above and created a super nova of a rum company.

Sure, Deussen produces slick ads for Bacardi in the vein of Bud, Coke, or Mickey D's. It is because all of us "sheeple" set around buying that crap. I may not, and perhaps you do not, but we are not in the vast millions who do everyday. You can buy authentic Havana Club in Mexico all day long. It is NOT cheap, as many falsely report as Mexican excise and tariff on import liquor is outrageous. It is about 20 US Dollars a bottle unaged in Mexican chains like Soriana. As far as authentic Cuban cigars, Mexico has become the BEST counterfeiter of Habanos in the World. The real deal is also very expensive, and all the border towns sell gullible gringos Mexican fake Cohibas all day long with fancy boxes and fake stamps. Usually dehumidified, and way overpriced for Mexican tobacco. Buyer beware! That being said, Havana is a great place to pay for fake Cohibas, as well.

In closing, it is not some conspiracy to keep mythical brands of Tiki top choice spirits out of our hands or off our bamboo bars...it is all market considerations. It is all about the all-mighty dollar!

Post #247824 by Rum Numb Davey on Wed, Aug 9, 2006 11:02 AM