LOUISVILLE, (Ky.) – The 23^rd annual Evan Williams Bourbon Cooking Contest kicked off the culinary competitions at the Kentucky State Fair today, showcasing many of the most creative Bourbon dishes in the Commonwealth.  Heaven Hill Distilleries, producers of Evan Williams Bourbon, awarded the coveted Blue Ribbon top prize to Kandace Kanzler of Louisville for her Bayou Beans and Andouille Sausage.

A distinguished panel of local judges selected the entrée from over 35 entries this year. Red (second place) and White (third place) ribbons were awarded to Rusty Portman of Louisville for “Tipsy Beef Chowder” and Debbie Flores of Louisville for “Sweet Cajun Shrimp”, respectively.

Judges for the contest included Roberta Cattan, Executive Chef, Atria; Ed Nolan, Executive Chef, Mitchell’s Fish Market; Jason Brauner, Owner, Bourbon’s Bistro; Mike Cunha, Executive Chef, Limestone Restaurant; Barry Bernson, Fox 41 TV News “Fox In the Morning” anchor; James Lindsay, Executive Chef, Kentucky Dam Resort; and Heaven Hill Master Distiller Craig Beam. The event is presented annually by Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

During the judging, contestants and spectators were treated to a cooking with Bourbon demonstration by Chef John Varanese, Owner, Varanese Restaurant. Chef Varanese performed the demonstration using Evan Williams Bourbon, American’s second-largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  Also on hand to assist Chef Varanese and keep the crowd on its toes was popular morning show host Kelly K., from the “Ben Davis and Kelly K. Show,” heard on 99.7 WDJX Radio.

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the Bardstown, Ky.-based maker of distilled spirits, produces Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – named for the Commonwealth’s first distiller.  “We’ve always known here in the Bluegrass that the taste of Bourbon adds an appealing quality to any special entrée.  The Evan Williams Bourbon Cooking Contest affords local culinary enthusiasts the opportunity to showcase their creativity with Bourbon each year,” said Max Shapira, president of Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

The recipes were rated on originality, ease of preparation, appearance, name and the contribution of Evan Williams Bourbon to the taste and aroma of the dish. In addition to receiving a coveted Kentucky State Fair prize ribbon and a cash prize, each of the winning entries will be considered for publication in the next “Cooking with Bourbon” recipe booklet, published periodically by Heaven Hill Distilleries.

Founded in 1934, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heaven-hill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned marketer and producer of distilled spirits products. Aging in its facilities is the second largest holding of Kentucky whiskey in the world. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio includes: the full line of The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liquer; Whaler’s Rum; Burnett’s Gin and Vodka; Dubonnet Aperitif; Scotch Whiskies; Irish Whiskeys; Canadian Whiskies; vodka; gins; rums; tequilas; cognacs; liqueurs; cordials; and dessert wines. Heaven Hill is based in Bardstown, Ky.

23^rd Annual Evan Williams Bourbon Cooking Contest Winning Recipe

August 15, 2008

1 lb of Andouille Sausage Sliced ½ inch rounds ++
2 cups diced onions
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 lb dried northern beans, soaked overnight and drained
10 cups chicken stock, plus more if needed
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1/2 cup Bourbon
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Heat a large pot, cook the Andouille Sausage till lightly browned pull out of pan in Crock-Pot. Add the onions and 1 cup chicken stock cook until softened 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and beans and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to Crock-Pot on high, stir in chicken stock and other ingredients. Put top on Crock-Pot and let cook about 2 hours, or until beans are tender, stirring occasionally.

++ Substitution – Smoked Kielbasa Sausage

CONTACT:
Larry Kass
Corporate Communications Director
Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc.
(502) 348-3921
lkass@heaven-hill.com

MEDIA ADVISORY – PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

FOR RELEASE:        August 13, 2008

23^rd Annual Evan Williams bourbon cooking contest will award coveted blue ribbon to top culinary creation

LOUISVILLE, (Ky.) – Cooking with Bourbon will take center stage once again at the annual Evan Williams Bourbon Cooking Contest at the Kentucky State Fair.  On Friday, August 15, area culinary enthusiasts will gather to compete for the coveted first place prize in the 23^rd annual Bourbon Cooking Contest, presented by Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

This year’s contest will undoubtedly prove to be a memorable and enjoyable event for all.  On hand will be notable chefs, local celebrities and a special cooking demonstration by Chef John Varanese, owner Varanese restaurant, all of which add up to an excellent opportunity for photography and interviews.

The entries will be rated on originality, ease of preparation, appearance, name and the contribution of Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey to the taste and aroma of the dish.

Evan Williams Bourbon is the country’s second-largest selling brand of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

What:

23^rd Annual Evan Williams Bourbon Cooking Contest

When:

Friday August 15, 2008

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. EDT (approx.)

Where:

Kentucky State Fair, Gourmet Garden culinary stage,

South Wing Lobby A.

 

Contact:                    

Larry Kass

Director of Corporate Communications

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

(502) 413-0220

lkass@heaven-hill.com

 

Founded in 1934, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heaven-hill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned marketer and producer of distilled spirits products. Aging in its facilities is the second-largest holding of Kentucky whiskey in the world. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio includes: the full line of The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Whaler’s Rum; Burnett’s Gin and Vodka; Dubonnet Aperitif; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Agua Luca Brazilian Rum Cachaca; Scotch Whiskies; Canadian Whiskies; vodka; gins; rums; tequilas; cognacs; liqueurs; cordials; and dessert wines. Heaven Hill is based in Bardstown, Ky.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

America’s second-largest Bourbon brand dismisses criticism from Jeremiah Weed Liqueur as erroneous and disingenuous

BARDSTOWN, KY–Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., makers of Evan Williams Bourbon, today responded to public criticism from Jeremiah Weed Bourbon Liqueur. 

Craig Beam, 7th generation Master Distiller at Heaven Hill, America’s largest independent family-owned spirits producer, recently sent bottles of Evan Williams, America’s second-largest selling Kentucky Bourbon, to Democratic Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and presumptive GOP nominee John McCain.  Beam could not bear to see a repeat of “Crown Royal-gate”, during which Sen. Clinton downed a shot of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky at a campaign appearance in Indiana.

The Jeremiah Weed website just “blasted Evan Williams” for sending bottles to the candidates.  “Mr. Weed, or the blogger that assumes his identity, accuses us of trying to ‘unfairly influence’ Kentucky voters by ‘trying to win the favor of Senators Obama and Clinton,” commented Heaven Hill’s Beam.  “They fail to mention that we also sent a bottle of Evan Williams to Senator McCain, specifically to make the gesture evenhanded and bi-partisan.  So clearly the only favor I’m trying to win is preventing the appearance of a bottle of Canadian Whisky on the Kentucky campaign trail.  This also all sounds a bit suspect, considering that the folks with Jeremiah Weed also sent bottles to the candidates, according to their spokesman in an April 17th article in Advertising Age.”

Beam further noted that the Jeremiah Weed website, where the accusations were first leveled, appears to be embodied by a shadowy figure who claims to have “labored in obscurity for 25 years.”  “Well my family has been laboring at distilleries since the 1780’s,” Beam mused.  “Even if Weed does exist, he is trying to blur the line between real Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, declared America’s native spirit by a 1964 act of Congress, and a Bourbon Liqueur, which adds sugar and flavorings to the whiskey.  It would be less insulting, I think, for the candidates to drink the Crown Royal here–at least it’s whiskey of some sort–and lo and behold, the same company that owns Crown Royal also happens to own Jeremiah Weed.  And on top of it all, Evan Williams is a product of a family-owned American company.  Jeremiah Weed is owned by a British based company!”

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heaven-hill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second largest holders of Kentucky Bourbon.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”
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CONTACT:

Larry Kass

Director of Corporate Communications

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

(502) 413-0220

lkass@heaven-hill.com

America’s second-largest Bourbon brand offered as a better choice then Candian Whisky for campaign photo ops

BARDSTOWN, KY–Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., makers of Evan Williams Bourbon, today sent a bottle to each presidential candidate to prevent a repeat of “Crown Royal-gate”. 

The Wall Street Journal recently ran an article on Bourbon, including a tasting which named Evan Williams “Best of Tasting and Best Value”.  In it, the columnist opined that Senator Clinton “made the mistake of drinking…a Canadian import” and that “such a faux pas would never do in Kentucky, site of one of the few remaining presidential primaries.”  In an attempt to preempt such a heretical occurrence in the Commonwealth, Craig Beam, 7th generation Master Distiller at Heaven Hill, took it upon himself to autograph and send a bottle of Evan Williams, accompanied by a letter from Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira, to each candidate. 

With the Kentucky primary approaching on May 20th, Beam couldn’t bear the thought of any whiskey other than Kentucky Bourbon appearing on the Bluegrass campaign trail.  “Since it just won the Journal’s tasting competition, I thought we should send each candidate a bottle of Evan Williams so they could familiarize themselves with what to drink when they’re here for the primaries and general election,” he reasoned.  “After all, bourbon was declared America’s native spirit by a 1964 act of Congress, and my ancestors, and probably Evan Williams himself, would roll over in their graves if a bottle of Canadian Whisky gets top billing here in Kentucky.”   

Evan Williams is the nation’s second-largest selling Bourbon brand and is named after Kentucky’s first distiller.  Evan Williams was also a councilman in Louisville in the late 18th century, who was routinely censured for bringing a jug of his wares to council meetings (but who reportedly always left with an empty jug).

Text for the letters is available here.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heaven-hill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second largest holders of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Whaler’s Rum; Burnett’s Gin and Vodkas; Dubonnet Aperitif; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; and Água Luca Brazilian Rum Cachaça.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

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CONTACT:
Larry Kass
Director of Corporate Communications
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
(502) 413-0220
lkass@heaven-hill.com

FOR RELEASE: April 22, 2008

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – For summer 2008, Hpnotiq Liqueur introduces a $100,000 Grand Prize instant win sweepstakes.  The sweepstakes will also feature another $100,000 in first prizes paid out in 200 $500 cash increments in addition to 500 Hpnotiq T-shirts for 2^nd prizes.

In order to win, consumers must purchase a 750 ml of Hpnotiq featuring the “Hpnotiq Instant Win” neck hanger POS at retail. Each bottle featuring the neck hanger will have a Hpnotiq cork stopper imprinted with a unique numeric code.  Winners will be notified instantly after entering the unique numeric code at Hpnotiq.com.  The sweepstakes will begin July 2008, where legal.

“We are excited about offering over $200,000 in prizes for this Hpnotiq sweepstakes offer,” said Senior Brand Manager Justin Ames.  “The growth of the brand has made a truly big splash in the industry.  A $100,000 Grand Prize will certainly elicit a similar result.”

Support for the sweepstakes includes in store POS and web banner ads.

Hpnotiq is an exquisite blend of super-premium Vodka, natural tropical fruit juices and a touch of Cognac.  The brand’s mixability, taste and instantly recognizable frosted aqua blue champagne-style bottle make every occasion special.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heaven-hill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second largest holders of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Whaler’s Rum; Burnett’s Gin and Vodkas; Dubonnet Aperitif; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; and Água Luca Brazilian Rum Cachaça.

 

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.

 

CONTACT:

Josh Hafer

Corporate Communications Manager

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

(502) 413-0219

jhafer@heaven-hill.com

FOR RELEASE: April 8, 2008

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. announces 19 awards from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.  2008 was among the finest showings for Heaven Hill since their first entry eight years ago; including “Best Rye Whiskey” for Rittenhouse Very Rare 23 year old Single Barrel Rye Whisky.

The four Double Gold medals for Heaven Hill are the most for any one year.  The Double Golds were awarded to Rittenhouse Very Rare Rye, Elijah Craig Single Barrel Bourbon, La Certeza Anejo Tequila and Cynar Artichoke Liqueur.  Double Gold winners are unanimously awarded a gold medal by all judges in the blind tasting.

“The full list of awards for Heaven Hill is extraordinary,” said Max L. Shapira, president, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. “It further substantiates our mission to deliver quality and innovation to the marketplace.”

Additionally, Heaven Hill was awarded three Gold Medals for Agua Luca Cachaça, Bernheim Wheat Whiskey and Lunazul Reposado Tequila, as well as seven Silver Medals and five Bronze Medals.

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the nation’s premier spirits judging competition.  Founded in 2000 by Anthony Dias-Blue, the Wine and Spirits editor of Bon Appetit Magazine and Carol Siebert, the managing director of the San Francisco International Wine Competition, it is the first and only comprehensive, international spirits judging held in the US on an annual basis.

In past years, Heaven Hill has received a variety of Double Golds (perfect scores) and one “Top North American Whiskey” for Rittenhouse Bottled In Bond Rye Whisky in 2006.

Founded in 1934, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heaven-hill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned marketer and producer of distilled spirits products. Aging in its facilities is the second largest holding of Kentucky whiskey in the world. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio includes: The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Whaler’s Rum; Burnett’s Gin and Vodkas; Dubonnet Aperitif; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Água Luca Brazilian Rum Cachaça, Scotch Whiskies; Canadian Whiskies; vodka; gins; rums; tequilas; cognacs; liqueurs; cordials; and dessert wines. Heaven Hill is based in Bardstown, KY.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

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CONTACT:

Larry Kass

Director, Corporate Communications

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.

(502) 413-0220

lkass@heaven-hill.com