Key Stats
- Founded: February 4, 1862, in Santiago de Cuba
- Employees: Over 8,000 worldwide
- Brand Portfolio: More than 200 brands and labels
- Global Reach: Products sold in 170+ countries
- Headquarters: Hamilton, Bermuda
Bacardi Limited stands as the world’s largest privately held, family-owned spirits company. Don Facundo Bacardi Masso founded the company in Santiago de Cuba after purchasing a small distillery on February 4, 1862.
The company revolutionized rum production by creating the first smooth, light-bodied spirit. Today, Bacardi operates production facilities in 11 countries and territories. The Bacardi family has maintained ownership across seven generations.
Key brands include Bacardi rum, Grey Goose vodka, Patron tequila, Dewar’s Scotch whisky, Bombay Sapphire gin, and Martini vermouth. The company’s Cathedral of Rum in Puerto Rico produces 85% of Bacardi rum worldwide and ranks as the largest rum distillery globally.
Bacardi Limited History
The Bacardi Limited history spans over 160 years of innovation, resilience, and global expansion. From a tin-roofed distillery in Cuba to becoming the world’s largest privately held spirits company, this timeline captures the major milestones.
1862
Don Facundo Bacardi Masso founded Bacardi in Santiago de Cuba. His wife Amalia suggested the bat logo after spotting fruit bats in the distillery rafters.
1898
An American engineer created the Bacardi Daiquiri cocktail for copper-mining crews in Cuba using Bacardi Superior rum.
1910
Bacardi became Cuba’s first multinational company by opening a facility in Barcelona, Spain.
1930
Edificio Bacardi opened in Havana. The Art Deco building became a landmark and hosted celebrities during Prohibition.
1960
Castro’s government seized all Bacardi assets in Cuba. The company relocated headquarters to Bermuda and continued operations from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and other countries.
1993
Bacardi merged with Martini and Rossi, doubling the company’s size and expanding distribution channels globally.
1998
Bacardi acquired Dewar’s Scotch whisky and Bombay Sapphire gin from Diageo for $2 billion.
2004
Grey Goose vodka joined the portfolio through a $2 billion acquisition from Sidney Frank.
2018
Bacardi completed its $5.1 billion acquisition of Patron Spirits Company, making it the number one spirits company in the super-premium segment in the United States.
2023
Bacardi acquired Ilegal Mezcal and took majority control of Irish whiskey producer Teeling Whiskey Company.
Bacardi Limited Co-founders
The founding of Bacardi Limited resulted from the combined efforts of family members who each brought distinct skills to the enterprise.
Don Facundo Bacardi Masso (1814-1886)
Spanish immigrant and wine merchant who developed the charcoal filtration process that created smooth, light-bodied rum. He isolated a proprietary yeast strain still used in production today.
Dona Amalia Lucia Victoria Moreau
Wife of Don Facundo who suggested the bat logo. She came from a wealthy Franco-Haitian family and provided crucial financial support during difficult early years.
Jose Bacardi (Brother)
Don Facundo’s younger brother who provided initial capital for purchasing the Santiago de Cuba distillery in 1862 and helped establish the business operations.
Bacardi Limited Competitors
The global spirits industry features intense competition among multinational corporations. Bacardi competes with publicly traded giants and other family-owned enterprises across multiple spirit categories worldwide.
| Company | Headquarters | Key Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Diageo | London, UK | Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Guinness |
| Pernod Ricard | Paris, France | Absolut, Jameson, Chivas Regal |
| Beam Suntory | Deerfield, USA | Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Yamazaki |
| Brown-Forman | Louisville, USA | Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve |
| Constellation Brands | Victor, USA | Corona, Modelo, SVEDKA |
| Campari Group | Milan, Italy | Aperol, Campari, Grand Marnier |
| William Grant and Sons | Dufftown, Scotland | Glenfiddich, Hendrick’s Gin |
| Sazerac Company | New Orleans, USA | Buffalo Trace, Fireball |
| Remy Cointreau | Paris, France | Remy Martin, Cointreau |
| E. and J. Gallo Winery | Modesto, USA | Barefoot, New Amsterdam |
Bacardi Limited Revenue
As a privately held company, Bacardi Limited does not publicly disclose detailed financial statements. Industry estimates place annual revenue at approximately $4.6 billion. The company sells over 20 million nine-liter cases of Bacardi rum annually worldwide.
Estimated Annual Revenue (in billions USD)
Bacardi Limited Acquisitions
Bacardi transformed from a single-brand rum company into a diversified spirits giant through strategic acquisitions spanning three decades. The 1993 merger with Martini and Rossi marked the beginning of this expansion phase. That deal doubled the company’s size and established powerful distribution networks across Europe.
The 1998 acquisition of Dewar’s Scotch whisky and Bombay Sapphire gin from Diageo cost $2 billion and brought premium brands in two major spirit categories. Six years later, Bacardi paid another $2 billion to acquire Grey Goose vodka from Sidney Frank, securing a position in the super-premium vodka segment.
Bacardi entered the tequila market by acquiring Cazadores in 2002. The company also purchased New Zealand vodka brand 42 Below in 2006. These smaller deals expanded geographic reach and category presence without requiring massive capital outlays.
The $5.1 billion Patron Spirits Company acquisition in 2018 represented the largest deal in Bacardi history. This purchase made Bacardi the leading spirits company in the US super-premium segment. The company had held a minority stake in Patron since 2008, making the full acquisition a natural progression.
Recent acquisitions in 2023 included Ilegal Mezcal and majority control of Irish whiskey producer Teeling. These deals filled gaps in trending categories. Bacardi’s strategy focuses on premium and super-premium brands with authentic heritage and growth potential in key markets.
Bacardi Limited Market Cap
Bacardi Limited remains privately held, so it does not have a public market capitalization. Industry analysts estimate the company’s enterprise value between $15 billion and $20 billion based on comparable publicly traded spirits companies and revenue multiples.
Estimated Enterprise Value (in billions USD)
The Bacardi family has resisted taking the company public despite occasional rumors of an IPO. Approximately 900 family members hold shares in the company, with Facundo L. Bacardi serving as Chairman of the Board since 2005. He represents the fifth generation of family leadership.
FAQs
Who founded Bacardi Limited?
Don Facundo Bacardi Masso founded Bacardi Limited on February 4, 1862, in Santiago de Cuba. His wife Amalia suggested the iconic bat logo after spotting fruit bats in the distillery.
Is Bacardi Limited a publicly traded company?
Bacardi Limited remains privately held by the Bacardi family. Approximately 900 family members own shares across seven generations, with no plans for a public offering.
What brands does Bacardi Limited own?
Bacardi owns over 200 brands including Bacardi rum, Grey Goose vodka, Patron tequila, Dewar’s Scotch, Bombay Sapphire gin, Martini vermouth, and Cazadores tequila.
Where is Bacardi Limited headquartered?
Bacardi Limited is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. The company relocated there after the Cuban government seized its assets in 1960 following the revolution.
How many employees does Bacardi Limited have?
Bacardi Limited employs more than 8,000 people worldwide. The company operates production facilities in 11 countries and sells products in over 170 markets globally.