Sambuca supplier questions rival's authenticity

According to managing director Jeremy Hill, Opal Bianca from In-Spirit, a subsidiary of Global Brands, cannot be called Sambuca because its 30% ABV is eight percentage points below the required minimum of 38%.

EU regulations, which govern the authenticity of 42 spirits-based drinks, stipulate that a product can only be called Sambuca if its abv falls between 38% and 40% ABV. Opal Bianca, from In-Spirit, is 30% ABV, claims Hill and, therefore, is not an authentic product.

Hill told the Publican's Morning Advertiser that he was concerned that UK consumers of Opal Bianca might fall foul of ‘extended passing off’ a practice whereby ‘the consumer thinks he’s buying something he’s not’.

Hi-Spirits is in the process of writing to Trading Standards, the organisation responsible for checking if any mis-selling has taken place. While Trading Standards is not duty bound to take up the case, Hill believes that ‘something of this magnitude’ will be of interest to them.

Global Brands marketing director Simon Green evaded the key issue, but said: “Opal Bianca is a unique liqueur made from sambuca, ‘liquore alla sambuca’, as stated on the bottle. Opal Bianca is produced by the Francoli family at their carbon neutral distillery in Italy; a distillation of star anise, green anise, lemon, coriander, elderberry and elderflower, creating a unique, premium product.

"Speciality liqueurs is one of the fastest growing spirits categories in the UK and the Opal range is designed to capitalise on this opportunity with a differentiated consumer proposition.

"Opal has a loyal and growing consumer fan base who appreciate the superior ingredients, quality craftsmanship and provenance of the brand.

"At Global Brands, we think it’s important to partner with retailers to promote our brands, and so the Opal range of Bianca, Nera and Rossa will be fully supported in outlet.”