Spirited Union secures sustainability certification
Botanical rum company Spirited Union has secured its first US grocery listing and been awarded a Chain of Custody certification by the global sugarcane sustainability organisation.
The new certification awarded by Bonsucro recognises the Amsterdam-based company’s positive contribution to the sugarcane industry. It also acknowledges Spirited Union’s commitment to measures that help improve labour conditions both on sugarcane farms and in mills, as well as those that reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable farming.
While sugarcane is incredibly versatile, it is also one of the world’s ‘thirstiest’ crops, taking more than 806 litres of water to produce just 0.45kg of refined cane sugar.
However, Bonsucro-certified mills, on average, reduce water usage by 43% within five years.
Furthermore, the organisation’s standards have a similarly positive effect across other aspects of sugarcane production.
For the production of its botanical rum, the company purchases Bonsucro-certified molasses.
US listing
Spirited Union’s Bonsucro certification coincides with its first US grocery listing.
The rum brand is now listed with ethical retailer Whole Foods Market, with Spirited Union’s Panamanian Queen Pineapple botanical rum now stocked in stores across California, Nevada, Colorado and Washington state.
Retailing at US$26.99 per 700ml bottle, the rum has been uniquely fermented with pineapple yeast and blended with cinnamon and Tanzanian cloves.
Spirited Union founder Ruben Maduro said: “This Bonsucro certification and stocking in Whole Foods Market are two massive ticks of approval for our long-held values and ethics.
“We’re committed to growth, but not at the expense of the environment – we’ll stick firmly to this planet and people-friendly path.”
The distribution deal was coordinated by Pacific Edge Wine and Spirits.
Last week we spoke with the president of Oxbow Rum Distillery, which produces single estate rum using sugarcane grown in Louisiana, US.
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