Distillery
Giovanni Buton
Historic Italian producer of distillates and liqueurs founded in Bologna; known for vintage labels such as Coca Buton and for a long tradition in the production of brandy and liqueurs, today included in the portfolio of the Gruppo Montenegro.
- Bologna · Emilia-Romagna · Italy
- Since 1820
- 1 product
The story
The entity known as Buton has nineteenth-century origins: Jean Bouton (italianized as Giovanni Buton) started a steam distillery in Bologna in 1820. During the 20th century the company, under the Sassoli de' Bianchi family, expanded its range with historic brands (including Vecchia Romagna, Rosso Antico, Maraschino and Coca Buton). In the 1990s ownership passed to international groups and later to the Gruppo Montenegro (integrating the Buton heritage into the group's portfolio). Current production and activities are managed within facilities linked to Gruppo Montenegro.
Production philosophy
To enhance historic recipes and Bologna's liqueur heritage, preserving traditional products and taste characteristics deriving from nationally recognized historical formulations.
Territory
Bologna and province (Emilia-Romagna). Historic brands and recipes traceable to Bologna's liqueur tradition; current production integrated into Gruppo Montenegro's supply chain.
Awards and recognition
Maraschino Buton: medal at the Grand Prix of Paris (historical reference for the product).
Production method
Historically based on a steam distillery; modern production takes place in the group's facilities, which safeguard traditional recipes and processes for specific products.
Distillation
Steam distillation (historically, at the Distilleria G. Buton)
Ageing
Aging in wooden barrels for some historic distillates (e.g., Vecchia Romagna brandy includes aging stages in historic cases and barrels).
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Bologna
- Categories
- historic Italian liqueurs
- Italian brandy
- Bologna vermouth
- herbal liqueurs
- traditional sambuca
- maraschino
- Raw materials
- coca leaves
- Trebbiano bianco grapes
- marasca cherries
- star anise
- green anise
- aromatic herbs
- Casks and ageing vessels
- oak (small casks used for the historic aging of the brandy)
- Representative products
- Coca Buton
- Vecchia Romagna
- Rosso Antico
- Maraschino Buton
- Sambuca Buton
What makes it distinctive
- Company founded in 1820 by Jean Bouton (Giovanni Buton) in Bologna
- Historic and well-known products: Coca Buton, Vecchia Romagna, Rosso Antico, Maraschino, Sambuca
- Buton brands entered the Gruppo Montenegro portfolio at the end of the 1990s
- Historic steam distillery among the first in Italy
