Bacardi Announces New Leadership for USA and North America; John Esposito to be New President of Bacardi North America.

HAMILTON, Bermuda -- Andreas Gembler, President and CEO of Bacardi Limited, announced today the appointment of John P. Esposito as President and CEO of Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. and the North American Region. He succeeds Eduardo M. Sardina, who has announced his planned retirement after 33 years of service. Mr. Esposito was formerly President and CEO of Moet Hennessy USA and assumes his new role at Bacardi with an outstanding reputation and background of more than 25 years in the spirits and wine industry. He began his new responsibilities May 15 and will be based at the regional headquarters in Miami.

"Bacardi is a company of premium products and John Esposito understands how to manage premier brands from his exceptional experience managing other top-tier brands in the industry. He is the kind of engaging, thoughtful and inspiring executive to take Bacardi U.S.A. and the North American Region to a new level of excellence," Mr. Gembler emphasized.

Prior to Bacardi, Mr. Esposito held the position of President and CEO of Schieffelin & Co. (a fully owned Moet Hennessy Company) in 1999, and retained the same title and responsibilities when it became Moet Hennessy USA.

"This new challenge is exciting for me and one which I expect will take me on a path of superb growth, both personally and professionally," said Mr. Esposito. "Bacardi is a dynamic company with highly capable leadership and employees, an outstanding portfolio of brands and strong momentum in the marketplace. I look to accomplish even greater things in the future."

Bacardi U.S.A. and North America have achieved exceptional growth over the past years and Mr. Gembler praised Mr. Sardina's years of successful leadership of the company in growing market share, developing flagship brand extensions and integrating strategic acquisitions.

Bacardi Limited is the largest privately held spirits company in the world and produces and markets a variety of internationally recognized spirits. Bacardi Limited's brand portfolio consists of more than 250 brands and labels, including: BACARDI rum, the world's number-one selling rum; MARTINI & ROSSI vermouth, the world leader in vermouth; GREY GOOSE vodka, the world leader in ultra premium vodka; DEWAR'S scotch whisky, the number-one selling blended scotch whisky in the United States; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, one of the fastest-growing brands in the spirits industry and the best selling super premium gin in the United States; CAZADORES blue agave tequila, the top selling 100 percent blue agave tequila worldwide; and other leading brands.