Drinks distributor Speciality Brands has established an exclusive partnership with Brazilian cachaça brand Abelha.
The Speciality Brands team will now aim to grow and build availability of the brand’s two expressions, Silver and Gold, across both on and off-trade channels.
Abelha is an artisanal, certified organic cachaça which was founded in 2008 by Anthony Goh, Herbert Rugel and Hal Stockley in partnership with Brazilian master distiller Marcos Vaccaro.
It is produced on the Vaccaro family’s organic farm in Rio de Contas, Bahia.
Abelha, which means ‘bee’ in Portuguese, is committed to only using natural ingredients and artisanal production methods.
The cachaça is crafted from fresh sugar cane and made without added sugar or additives, reflecting a low-intervention approach that highlights the purity of the spirit.
MD of Speciality Brands, Chris Seale, said: “We’ve built our portfolio around brands that offer authenticity, provenance and quality. Abelha delivers on all three.
“We’re excited to introduce Abelha in our offering and build its presence further in bars and on shelves.”
Abelha Cachaça Silver is rested for six months in open steel tanks, allowing natural oxidation to soften the spirit and develop its aromatic profile, resulting in fresh sugar cane and stone fruit notes with a smooth, dry finish.
Abelha Cachaça Gold is aged for three years in 250-litre Garapeira wood casks, delivering a more complex profile with honeyed aromatics, tropical fruit and spice.
The use of native Brazilian wood enhances the spirit’s natural sweetness and layered character, offering a distinctive aged expression within the category.
Master distiller Vaccaro commented: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Speciality Brands as we enter a new phase of growth in the UK.
“Their expertise in building premium spirits brands and their deep understanding of the on- and off-trade make them the perfect partner to help drive awareness and distribution for Abelha.
“We look forward to working with them to elevate the cachaça category and showcase its versatility to UK bartenders and consumers alike.”
