Drinks distributor Speciality Brands has added Brazilian cachaça brand, Abelha, to its portfolio, as part of its plan to focus on bringing high-quality liquids with provenance to the UK market. 

The Speciality Brands team will aim to grow and build availability of the brand’s two expressions, Silver and Gold, across both off- and on-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, meaning “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. 

Chris Seale, managing director of Speciality Brands, 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, 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.

Abelha master distiller, Marcos Vaccaro, said: “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.”