BACARDI® OakHeart™ Spiced Rum Toasts Launch With the "OakHeart™ Challenge"

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Toast it. Taste it. Are you ready for "The Challenge?" On Sept. 15, BACARDI® – the world's favorite and best-selling premium rum, as well as the world's most awarded rum – will kick-off recently introduced BACARDI® OakHeart™ spiced rum in bars across the country through the "BACARDI OakHeart Challenge," a program designed to bring the brand to life through a series of nationwide events.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110815/NY51950 )

The "OakHeart Challenge" encourages spiced rum fans to collectively try this new and flavorful BACARDI spiced rum neat, over ice or with cola while they taste and toast what the spirit represents – strength, adventure and authenticity of character.  BACARDI hopes to bring together more than 25,000 consumers to experience this smooth spiced rum – on the same day, at the same time, in bars across the country.  Select markets hosting "OakHeart Challenge" events include: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin.

More information about the "OakHeart Challenge" and an interactive map displaying participating venues can be found at facebook.com/bacardi.  

"BACARDI OakHeart is a spiced rum backed by the credentials of a family and a brand that created modern rum in 1862," said Toby Whitmoyer, Vice President and Brand Managing Director, rums category, Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. "BACARDI OakHeart was created to bring together a new generation of rum drinkers (21+) – a generation that lives for freedom and spontaneity. We have high expectations for the nationwide BACARDI 'OakHeart Challenge' on Sept. 15 and are confident consumers will enjoy this amazing spirit and make OakHeart their new spiced rum of choice."

BACARDI OakHeart (70 proof/35 percent ABV) is created with the finest amber BACARDI rums mellowed in charred American white oak barrels for 1-3 years.  Choice spices such as maple, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey, and vanilla are added to the rum which is then filtered through a proprietary process.  The result is a bold, spiced rum straight from the heart of charred oak barrels for a hint of smokiness and a unique, velvet-like smoothness.  BACARDI OakHeart tastes great straight or combined with cola and served over ice in a chilled stein glass.  

BACARDI OakHeart is available nationwide at a suggested retail price ranging from $12.99 to $15.99 for a 750-ml bottle.  

About BACARDI Rums

In 1862 BACARDI revolutionized the spirits industry when founder Don Facundo Bacardi Masso producing his remarkable light-bodied, smooth rum – BACARDI, the world's favorite premium rum brand. The unique taste of BACARDI Rum inspired cocktail pioneers to invent some of the world's most famous drinks including the BACARDI Mojito, the BACARDI Daiquiri, the BACARDI Cuba Libre, the BACARDI Pina Colada and the BACARDI Presidente.  BACARDI Rum has won more than 400 awards for quality and product profile – the most awarded rum in the world.  Today, BACARDI rum is produced in Puerto Rico, following the production legacy set forth by Don Facundo – crafted in a five step distillation process, aged in American white oak barrels, and filtered five times for unparalleled quality and smoothness.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of one of the world's leading spirits and wine producers. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDI® rum, the world's favorite and best-selling premium rum, as well as the world's most awarded rum; GREY GOOSE® vodka, the world-leader in super-premium vodka; DEWAR'S® Blended Scotch Whisky, the number-one selling blended Scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, the top-valued and fastest-growing premium gin  in  the world; CAZADORES® 100 percent blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in Mexico and a top-selling premium tequila in the United  States; MARTINI® vermouth, the world-leader in  vermouth; and other leading and emerging brands. For additional information, visit www.bacardiusa.com.

For additional information:

Tori Katz, Senior Account Executive
CORBIN-HILLMAN COMMUNICATIONS
212-246-3586 / [email protected]

Joe Gerbino, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications & Public Relations
Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.
786-264-8421 / [email protected]

ENJOY TOGETHER RESPONSIBLY.

www.bacardi.com

©2011 BACARDÍ AND THE BAT DEVICE ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF BACARDI AND COMPANY LIMITED. BACARDI U.S.A., INC., CORAL GABLES, FL. RUM SPECIALTY 35% ALC.BY VOL.

SOURCE BACARDI Rums