Bacardi and Synergy sign contract for WILLIAM LAWSON’S whisky bottling and packaging in Russia
march
22
/2016
Moscow, Russia, March 22, 2016. Bacardi – the largest privately held spirits company in the world, and Synergy – the largest producer of distilled spirits in Russia and producer of the super premium Beluga vodka, concluded partnership for local bottling and packaging of WILLIAM LAWSON’S – #1 whisky in Russia*. The agreement was signed in March 2016. Aged and blended WILLIAM LAWSON’S will be shipped from Scotland and bottled at flagship enterprise of Synergy group – “Tradition of Quality” plant in Moscow region. The bottling line launch is scheduled for April 26, 2016. First Russian bottled and packaged WILLIAM LAWSON’S whisky will be available in stores in Autumn 2016 in 0.5L, 0.7L and 1L sizes.
“Localization of the #1 whisky in Russia is a big step for us that underlines our commitment to Russia”, – says Alejandro Ouziel, Vice President, Head of Eastern Europe for Bacardi. “Partnering with Synergy and bottling at their state-of-the-art facility outside Moscow will mean that Russian consumers will be able to continue to enjoy the high quality of WILLIAM LAWSON’S that they love”.
Michael Semiz, WILLIAM LAWSON’S Global Director, confirms the quality of the product bottled in Russia will be the same as it is in the product bottled in Scotland. “Understandably, the Scottish authorities are very protective of the quality and international reputation of Scotch whisky. Scotch Whisky blends must always be aged and blended in Scotland, however, they can be bottled anywhere in the world when the exceptional quality and taste of the final product is guaranteed to be identical to whisky bottled in Scotland. I am very proud that in partnership with Synergy we have achieved this distinction and WILLIAM LAWSON’S will be the first whisky from Scotland to be bottled in Russia”, says Semiz. Bacardi will perform regular and detailed checks of every product batch bottled in Russia to ensure product’s full compliance with their high quality standards.
Commenting on the signing of the agreement, Alexander Mechetin, Synergy CEO says: “This project is unprecedented for the Russian spirits market. In Russia’s modern history it is the first example, when a global producer of spirits launches bottling of its international brand in the country. As a result of this project realization federal and regional budgets will generate 2 billion rubles of excise tax. I am sure that by combining professional expertise and experience, Bacardi and Synergy marked the beginning of a long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation. Our company made a significant investment in the installation of equipment intended especially for bottling of Bacardi products. I will also note that factory “Tradition of quality” complies with all the national and international standards, is equipped with a first class quality control laboratory and all relevant equipment. We are confident that this is the beginning of a long term collaboration that highlight Bacardi’s commitment to Russia”.
“Localization of the #1 whisky in Russia is a big step for us that underlines our commitment to Russia”, – says Alejandro Ouziel, Vice President, Head of Eastern Europe for Bacardi. “Partnering with Synergy and bottling at their state-of-the-art facility outside Moscow will mean that Russian consumers will be able to continue to enjoy the high quality of WILLIAM LAWSON’S that they love”.
Michael Semiz, WILLIAM LAWSON’S Global Director, confirms the quality of the product bottled in Russia will be the same as it is in the product bottled in Scotland. “Understandably, the Scottish authorities are very protective of the quality and international reputation of Scotch whisky. Scotch Whisky blends must always be aged and blended in Scotland, however, they can be bottled anywhere in the world when the exceptional quality and taste of the final product is guaranteed to be identical to whisky bottled in Scotland. I am very proud that in partnership with Synergy we have achieved this distinction and WILLIAM LAWSON’S will be the first whisky from Scotland to be bottled in Russia”, says Semiz. Bacardi will perform regular and detailed checks of every product batch bottled in Russia to ensure product’s full compliance with their high quality standards.
Commenting on the signing of the agreement, Alexander Mechetin, Synergy CEO says: “This project is unprecedented for the Russian spirits market. In Russia’s modern history it is the first example, when a global producer of spirits launches bottling of its international brand in the country. As a result of this project realization federal and regional budgets will generate 2 billion rubles of excise tax. I am sure that by combining professional expertise and experience, Bacardi and Synergy marked the beginning of a long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation. Our company made a significant investment in the installation of equipment intended especially for bottling of Bacardi products. I will also note that factory “Tradition of quality” complies with all the national and international standards, is equipped with a first class quality control laboratory and all relevant equipment. We are confident that this is the beginning of a long term collaboration that highlight Bacardi’s commitment to Russia”.