Bacardi celebrates 161st anniversary by planting a tree for every employee

Bacardi Limited will plant one tree for every employee to celebrate its 161st anniversary.

This week, every person in the world’s largest privately held spirits company will receive an anniversary edition bottle of Bacardí Carta Blanca, complete with a QR code which enables them to plant their own tree and then track its progress and positive impact through an online platform.

The initiative forms part of the continued drive from Bacardi to be the most responsible global spirits company in the world.

“As a family-owned company, doing the right thing is in our DNA, and all of us at Bacardi share that passion for taking care of the environment,” said Mahesh Madhavan, chief executive at .

“By creating our very own Bacardi forests, we can all take pride in having our own positive impact and being part of our company’s legacy for the next 161 years and beyond.”

The trees will be planted in India, Nepal, Indonesia, Ecuador, and Madagascar, with 11 different species carefully selected to maximise the benefits to each location and community.

The tree planting sites represent areas where Bacardi sources some of the botanicals and raw ingredients used in crafting its premium drinks portfolio, which includes Bacardí rum, BOMBAY Sapphire gin, Grey Goose vodka, Patrón tequila, Martini vermouth and Dewar’s blended Scotch whisky.

“We care deeply about the farmers who grow our beautiful ingredients and take great pride in the strong relationships we’ve spent decades building with these communities,” says Dave Ingram, chief supply chain officer.

“Planting these trees on their doorsteps is another way of giving back as we invest in their future and in protecting the environment for generations to come.”

To mark the 161st anniversary, Bacardi will also plant 161 coconut trees in Puerto Rico, home to the world’s largest premium rum distillery where Bacardí rum is produced.

In Bermuda, home of the Bacardi’s global headquarters, the company will plant 100 cedar saplings at one of the island’s nature reserves. A highly valued and symbolic tree in Bermuda, the cedar supports biodiversity by providing a crucial nesting site for birds such as the native Bluebird.

On February 4, 2023, Bacardi celebrates 161 years since Don Facundo Bacardí Massó founded the company in Santiago de Cuba. Family owned over seven generations, Bacardi grew from a single rum brand to a portfolio of iconic global spirits brands.