Author: Heavenhill

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Heaven Hill Distillery Fills Eight Millionth Barrel of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Heaven Hill Distillery, the world’s second-largest holder of aging Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, today celebrated filling its eight millionth Bourbon barrel. Heaven Hill is the only local, family-owned company to reach this historic benchmark.

“As we roll out the eight millionth barrel, we recognize the dedication to quality and thoughtful innovation that has led Heaven Hill Distillery to this milestone,” said Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira. “A little over 82 years ago, my father and his four brothers held a vision that has been carried forward by the Shapira family of fierce independence and passionate family ownership. We celebrate their legacy as we look forward to the next eight million barrels and beyond.”

This benchmark comes on the heels several company milestones over the past several months. In October 2017, Heaven Hill Distillery’s Bernheim facility in West Louisville unveiled an expansion as the largest independent, family-owned Bourbon distillery in American Whiskey, now producing 1,300 barrels per day. In February 2018, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience filled the 1,000th barrel after producing one barrel per day since the artisanal distillery opened in 2013. Heaven Hill now has more than 1.3 million aging barrels of Kentucky Bourbon in its inventory and remains true today to its original mission as a family-owned and operated, independent Kentucky company—the last remaining in the Bourbon business today.

The eight millionth barrel was “bunged off” by Master Distiller Denny Potter and President Max Shapira in a brief ceremony at Heaven Hill’s cistern room attended by company executives and local dignitaries. Participants toasted with a glass of Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the second largest selling Bourbon in the world.

The milestone barrel was signed by Heaven Hill employees in the Bourbon Heritage Center and put up to age in Rickhouse Y, where it will be displayed along Heaven Hill’s other milestone barrels.

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Deep Eddy Ruby Red Cleared for Take Off with Southwest Airlines

Austin, Texas – Deep Eddy Vodka, the fastest-growing, American-made straight vodka, announced today an expanded partnership with Southwest Airlines. Deep Eddy Ruby Red joins Deep Eddy Vodka as an in-flight offering beginning March 1, 2018.

The two Texas-based brands took flight together September 1, 2017, launching Deep Eddy to new heights among Southwest’s passengers. The popularity of the Original 80-proof vodka paved the way for Deep Eddy Ruby Red, the brand’s highest-selling flavor made with all-natural grapefruit juice.

“Deep Eddy Vodka was created to bring people together in carefree, good times and we are thrilled for more fun opportunities to do just that,” said John Scarborough, President of Deep Eddy Vodka.  “We look forward to continuing this partnership with Southwest in the skies to create moments that bring people together.”

Both Deep Eddy and Southwest are known as differentiators in their respective categories, offering refreshingly unique experiences to their customers. Since the brand’s launch in 2010, Deep Eddy has grown to more than one million cases and continues to invigorate the vodka category with its innovative approach. Deep Eddy is ten times column-distilled in small batches, gluten free and uses only the finest natural ingredients.

Now flying to 100 destinations in the United States and ten additional countries, Southwest is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded.

“Southwest Airlines is thrilled to add another product from the Deep Eddy family to our onboard drink offerings,” said Steven Murtoff, Senior Director of Inflight Operations Onboard Experience & Policy for Southwest Airlines. “We are committed to providing our Customers the best onboard experience, and our beverage menu just got sweeter with the addition of Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka.”

Featured on in-flight menus, Deep Eddy Vodka and Deep Eddy Ruby Red may be purchased for $7.00 with a major credit or debit card or valid Southwest drink coupon in Southwest’s cashless cabins.

Dive in and appreciate the authentic flavor of Deep Eddy Vodka available in-flight.

ABOUT DEEP EDDY VODKA
Deep Eddy Vodka (70-80 proof), based in Austin, Texas, is the second fastest-growing super-premium vodka brand in the US (Nielsen 1/27/2018 P52W Growth). Deep Eddy has received the Impact Hot Brand Award for four straight years and is recognized for its unique production process and incorporation of real, natural ingredients in its flavors. All Deep Eddy Vodka products are distilled in small batches at its state-of-the-art Texas distillery. The company’s line of products include: Deep Eddy Straight Vodka, Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka, Deep Eddy Ruby Red, Deep Eddy Cranberry, Deep Eddy Lemon, Deep Eddy Peach and Deep Eddy Orange. Deep Eddy Vodka is available in stores in all 50 states. More information on the company can be found at www.deepeddyvodka.com or www.facebook.com/deepeddyvodka.

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CONTACT:

Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

 

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Bartender of the Year San Diego Finalist Finds Balance in Rejuvenating, Comforting Ingredients

Heaven Hill Brands, Liquor.com announce third of eight finalists for 2018 “Bartender of the Year” 

Julien Calella’s cocktail inspiration has a deep foundation in family, growing up with a father who was a vegetarian chef and mother who was a doctor of traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda. Announced today as the Heaven Hill Brands and Liquor.com San Diego finalist for the 2018 Bartender of the Year Competition, Calella won first place, $1,000 and a trip to the finals at The Lodge on Sea Island, Ga.

“When I started my path as a cocktail bartender, a large part of my inspiration was trying to create a healthy balance in my drinks, by using fresh, rejuvenating ingredients in play with the spirits. The Golden Dowry was inspired by a tea that my mother would always make for me when I had a cold,” said Calella, Bartender at the Tasting Kitchen in Venice, Calif. “The unconditional love and care that my mother has provided throughout my life, represented by the Ayurvedic teas and formulas she has so carefully prepared for us, cemented what family truly means to me.”

Adam George Fournier of Los Angeles, a 2017 Bartender of the Year finalist, won second place and $500. Six semifinalists competed regionally in San Diego on Sunday, February 18 at Polite Provisions. Bartenders competed in two rounds, first mixing the family-inspired cocktail from their preliminary submission, then creating an original cocktail fit for the menu of the host bar using at least 1.5 ounces of total of Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, or Rittenhouse Rye Whisky. Contestants and judges were then invited to a family dinner at Juniper & Ivy where Don Lee, designer and educator at Cocktail Kingdom, led a discussion on the relationship between sugars and acids and how to create well-balanced cocktails before the winner was announced.

National Brand Educator for Heaven Hill Brands Lynn House, Bar Manager of Clyde Common & Pépé Le Moko Jeffrey Morgenthaler, and Owner of Half Step Chris Bostick judged the semifinalists’ cocktails and chose one finalist based on highest scores. Contestant skills and cocktails were scored on flavor, appearance, presentation, technical skills, use of sponsor brands, and adherence to judges’ guidelines.

More than 1,000 original cocktail recipes were submitted online nationwide beginning September 15, 2017. Preliminary entries required two original cocktail recipes, one rendition of a classic recipe, and one relating to family along with a short description of how the cocktail was inspired by their interpretation of family. The top contestant from each region will go on to vie for the title of Bartender of the Year and $15,000 at The Lodge on Sea Island, Ga. in June 2018. Finalists will be challenged on their full range of skills as hospitality professionals. Judges will be looking for the ultimate bartender who displays the total breadth and aptitude all bartenders aspire to embody.

Grounded in the original Bartender of the Year Competition hosted by Domaine de Canton starting in 2009, Heaven Hill Brands resurrected the competition due to strong demand from bartenders worldwide. Nathan O’Neill from the Nomad Bar in New York City was named Bartender of the Year in 2017, and Abigail Gullo of Compere Lapin in New Orleans won the inaugural competition in 2016. Visit the official competition website at http://www.bartenderoftheyear.liquor.com for complete competition details.

Golden Dowry – Inspired by the concept of family
Crafted by Julien Calella

Ingredients:

  • Elijah Craig (1.0 ounce(s))
  • Domaine de Canton (1.0 ounce(s))
  • Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice (1.0 ounce(s))
  • Turmeric Infused Honey (0.25 ounce(s))
  • Club Soda (2.0 ounce(s))

Add all ingredients, except soda, into cheater tin. Add 1 Kold Draft ice cube to mixture in cheater tin, close with shaker tin, and short shake (5 seconds). Using hawthorne strainer, strain mixture from shaker tin, into the collins. Top the shaken mixture with the 2 ounces of club soda, and then place 4 Kold Draft ice cubes into the completed cocktail in the collins glass. Place two long sip/stir straws in the completed cocktail, garnish with two lime wheels and serve. (Dashes of cayenne pepper tincture are from Japanese dasher bottle).

About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila and Carolan’s Irish Cream Liqueur.

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CONTACT:

Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

To view and download more images from this release, click here.

 

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Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Release of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series

Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of a limited-edition series of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottlings to be released each spring and fall. Bottled in an ornate decanter, the series reflects the traditions of both the Old Fitzgerald lineage and the Bottled-in-Bond designation. Launching this spring with an 11-year-old bottling, whiskey aficionados and history buffs alike will revel in the newest edition of the Old Fitzgerald family.

As the leader of the Bottled-in-Bond category, Heaven Hill is proud to offer a premium, allocated product within this special class that showcases the authenticity and quality of the American Whiskey portfolio. Acquired in 1999 by Heaven Hill, the legendary Old Fitzgerald line is well-known for its distilling pedigree and intriguing story behind its namesake, John E. Fitzgerald. Comprised of barrels produced from February through May of 2006, and bottled in April of 2018, the first release ushers in the latest hallmark series to the Bottled-in-Bond legacy.

Inspired by an original 1950’s Old Fitzgerald diamond decanter, the newest packaging will thrill collectors as the brand was traditionally bottled in artistic decanters of all shapes and sizes. The label features the time-honored graphic of a key, commemorating an important element in original labels and the brand’s slogan since the 1940’s, “Your key to hospitality.” Kentucky’s state seal and a prominent brand banner replicate a pre-Prohibition label. Spring editions will be denoted with a green label and fall editions with a black label. The age will change with each edition and will also be indicated on the bottom of the label.

Each edition’s tax strip, which has always been a signature of transparency on bottled-in-bond products, will disclose when the liquid was produced and bottled.

“For 82 years Heaven Hill Distillery has nurtured and produced historic brands of quality and heritage,” said Heaven Hill Distillery Master Distiller Denny Potter. “It is an honor to join a famous line of distillers behind the Old Fitzgerald name and to continue to uphold the tradition of the brand through its bottled-in-bond designation, which dates to the early 1900s.”

Larceny Bourbon, a descendant of the Old Fitzgerald line, tells the legend of Treasury Agent John E. Fitzgerald who held the keys to the bonded rickhouses, and helped himself from barrels containing only the finest bourbon. The agent’s selections became known around the distillery as “Fitzgerald barrels” and were used to create a soft, wheated bourbon known as “Old Fitzgerald.”

The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis each spring and fall throughout the next five years. The spring 2018 edition meets the strict requirements of a bottled-in-bond: the product of a single distillery from a single distilling season, aged a minimum of four years, and bottled at 100 proof or 50% alcohol by volume. The first edition is available at a suggested retail price of $110.00.

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CONTACT:

Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

To view or download more images from this release, click here.

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Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Offers Collectible, Limited Edition Kentucky Derby Festival Bourbon Bottle

For the second consecutive year the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience will release a special edition bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon, featuring a 2018 Gold Pegasus Pin, to commemorate the Kentucky Derby Festival. Collectors will find the pin sealed in gold wax on the neck of the 2010 vintage Bourbon, as opposed to the 2009 vintage, which featured the pin atop the cap. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience will also be the sole location providing Pegasus Pins through March 5.

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Artisanal Distiller Jodie Filiatreau and Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Berry unveiled the official 2018 pin and limited-edition bottle at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Friday, Feb. 16, by personally hand-dipping two of the 600 bottles. Dipped in a unique gold wax with a commemorative pin sealed to the neck, the bottle features a special face label with the Kentucky Derby Festival logo, and includes a 2018 Pegasus Pin in an envelope attached to each bottle.

This product will be available for purchase at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience for $74.99 starting Friday, Feb. 16, while supplies last.

The limited edition 2010 vintage bottle came from four barrels of Bourbon and is bottled at 109 proof, commemorating both the 63nd Kentucky Derby Festival and 46th Pegasus Pin anniversary. Like a fine wine, each bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon contains the exact day it was put in an oak barrel to age.

The Bourbon is matured in natural open-rick warehouses under the careful supervision of Heaven Hill’s Master Distillers, who monitor the progress of each year’s vintage to ensure it maintains its intended flavor profile and superb quality.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage has won five “Whiskey of the Year” awards and is one of the most critically-acclaimed specialty Bourbons produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the world’s second largest holder of aging Bourbon.

“The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience celebrates the heritage of Kentucky’s spirit and is proud to continue a partnership with the Kentucky Derby Festival to promote the unique experiences of the Commonwealth,” said Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Artisanal Distiller Jodie Filiatreau. “We welcome all Festival Fans to join us in a toast to the 2018 Kentucky Derby Festival.”

Bringing the community together since 1956, the Kentucky Derby Festival has grown to become a whirlwind of more than 70 special events leading up to the big race in May. The Kentucky Derby Festival runs this year from April 20 – May 5. Pegasus Pins, which allow entry to Derby Festival events, may be purchased at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience as well.

“This Evan Williams commemorative bottle really showcases two of Kentucky’s favorite things – the Derby Festival celebration and bourbon,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “Just like the Pegasus Pins, we know fans will be adding this bottle to their Festival collection too.”

About Kentucky Derby Festival: Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

About the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience: The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience® (www.EvanWilliamsBourbonExperience.com) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams, Kentucky’s first commercial distiller, through an immersive visitor’s center experience which brings to life the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit. An official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, the facility offers guests a historical glimpse back in time to see Evan Williams’ original distillery through high definition video recreations of the Louisville wharf and Main Street in the late 18th Century, plus recreations of Whiskey Row building facades along Main Street from the 1890’s through the present. Meanwhile, visitors learn the essential differences between distilling during Evan Williams’ era and Heaven Hill’s modern Bernheim Distillery operations.

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CONTACT:

Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

To view and download more images from this release, click here.

 

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Heaven Hill Brands Announces Major Redesign of Burnett’s Vodka Franchise

BARDSTOWN, KY – For the first time since its inception 25 years ago, Burnett’s Vodka is launching a major redesign of the bottle and package to align with continued growth trajectory. Burnett’s Vodka has been changing the game in the Vodka category for a quarter of a century, growing to become the number four domestic vodka with nearly three million cases sold annually. Heaven Hill Brands, the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated distilled spirits producer and marketer, announced today the reintroduction of the Burnett’s franchise.

“The Vodka category is a powerhouse within the spirits industry, and Burnett’s Vodka is a force that we are committed to seeing continued growth and innovation on,” said Max L. Shapira, President, Heaven Hill Brands. “As an iconic brand, our new bottle and label design celebrates the Burnett’s essence as a leader in fun and entertainment, while contemporizing the brand for the next 25 years.”

As one of the largest Vodka franchises, including 34 all-natural flavors, the updated look and bold new packaging modernizes the brand for both current and new consumers. The full Burnett’s Vodka franchise received a package update with a sleek, taller bottle, refined brand logo, “Sir Robert Burnett” blown in across the top of the glass bottle, and a new updated cap. The Vodka flavors packaging also feature updated, custom fruit illustrations. Key brand attributes of “gluten free” and “Made in America” adorn the new two-piece paper labels on the Vodkas.

A large-volume player at an accessible price point, Burnett’s Vodka welcomes new consumers with an approachable experience that starts with Burnett’s and ends with memories that last a lifetime. The brand rejuvenation builds upon the foundation set by loyal consumers as Burnett’s is ushered into a new era. Beverage Information Group awarded Burnett’s Vodka with consecutive Established Growth Brand Awards from 2001-2017, the Fast Track Award in 2010 and 2015, and the Growth Brand Hall of Fame award in 2015. Burnett’s Vodka was also awarded the Impact Hot Brand award from 2006 to 2016.

The Burnett’s Vodka franchise package began shipping in February, along with new shippers to compliment the labels. Pricing on all products will remain the same. The Burnett’s website (www.burnettsvodka.com) provides information and drink recipes for all flavors. Details on all available proofs and sizes for Burnett’s Vodka are listed below:

  • Burnett’s Vodka is 40 percent alcohol by volume (80 proof) and is available in 1.75 liter, 1.0 liter, 1.0 bar liter, 750 ml, 750 ml carry pack, 375 ml, 200 ml and 50 ml sizes.
  • Burnett’s 100˚ Vodka is 50% alcohol by volume (100 proof) and is available in 1.75 liter, 750 ml, 750ml carry pack, 375 ml and 200 ml sizes.
  • Burnett’s Flavored Vodkas are available in 750ml and 1.75ml sizes and are bottled at 30-35 percent alcohol by volume (60-70 proof). Select flavors are also available in 50ml, 200ml, 375ml, 1L, 1L bar round, as well as a 750ml carry pack size.

About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila and Carolan’s Irish Cream Liqueur.

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CONTACT:

Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

To view and download more images from this release, click here.

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Bartender of the Year Austin Finalist Blends Great Equalizers in Winning Recipe

Heaven Hill Brands, Liquor.com announce second of six finalists for 2018 “Bartender of the Year” 

Madelyn Kay’s blend of coffee and whiskey, the two great equalizers in her family and cocktails, lifted her to the top spot of the Austin regional Bartender of the Year semifinal. Announced today as the Heaven Hill Brands and Liquor.com Austin finalist for the 2018 Bartender of the Year Competition, Kay won first place, $1,000 and a trip to the finals at The Lodge on Sea Island, Ga.

“Coffee always puts a little lift in my step, as does my family, so making a lift style cocktail just seemed right. Family, whether it’s the one you choose or the one you’re born into, should always lift you up and be there for you when you need them,” said Kay, Beverage Director at VOX Table in Austin. “Because of the bonding powers of coffee and how delightful it tastes with the sweetness of Bourbon, I knew I wanted to use it with Elijah Craig Bourbon, a whiskey I always describe as tasting the way a warm hug feels.”

Cesar Perez II of El Paso, Texas won second place and $500. Six semifinalists competed regionally in Austin on Monday, February 6 at Whisler’s. Bartenders competed in two rounds, first mixing the family-inspired cocktail from their preliminary submission, then creating an original cocktail fit for the menu of the host bar using at least 1.5 ounces of total of Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, or Rittenhouse Rye Whisky. Contestants and judges were then invited to a family dinner at Juniper where Don Lee, designer and educator at Cocktail Kingdom, led a discussion on the relationship between sugars and acids and how to create well-balanced cocktails before the winner was announced.

National Brand Educator for Heaven Hill Brands Lynn House, Partner at Alchemy Consulting and Owner/Bartender of Pouring Ribbons Joaquín Simó, and Owner of Half Step Chris Bostick judged the semifinalists’ cocktails and chose one finalist based on highest scores. Contestant skills and cocktails were scored on flavor, appearance, presentation, technical skills, use of sponsor brands, and adherence to judges’ guidelines.

More than 1,000 original cocktail recipes were submitted online nationwide beginning September 15, 2017. Preliminary entries required two original cocktail recipes, one rendition of a classic recipe, and one relating to family along with a short description of how the cocktail was inspired by their interpretation of family. The top contestant from each region will go on to vie for the title of Bartender of the Year and $15,000 at The Lodge on Sea Island, Ga. in June 2018. Finalists will be challenged on their full range of skills as hospitality professionals. Judges will be looking for the ultimate bartender who displays the total breadth and aptitude all bartenders aspire to embody.

Grounded in the original Bartender of the Year Competition hosted by Domaine de Canton starting in 2009, Heaven Hill Brands resurrected the competition due to strong demand from bartenders worldwide. Nathan O’Neill from the Nomad Bar in New York City was named Bartender of the Year in 2017, and Abigail Gullo of Compere Lapin in New Orleans won the inaugural competition in 2016. Visit the official competition website at http://www.bartenderoftheyear.liquor.com for complete competition details.

Lift Me Up – Inspired by the concept of family
Crafted by Madelyn Kay

Ingredients:

  • Elijah Craig Bourbon (1.5 ounce(s))
  • Cold Brew Concentrate (.75 ounce(s))
  • Buttered Pecan Orgeat (.75 ounce(s))
  • Heavy Cream (.5 ounce(s))
  • Soda Water (2.5 ounce(s))
  • Pinch of salt

Add all ingredients except soda to a tin with ice and shake hard. Fine strain into a Tom Collins glass. Add soda water pausing briefly when the cocktail reaches the rim, then add remaining soda water to create a nice head rising about the rim. Sprinkle pecan dust atop the cocktail, insert straw, and enjoy!

*Buttered pecan orgeat: make pecan milk by soaking pecans overnight, then blend with fresh water (2:1 water to pecans). In a nut milk bag, strain the milk. Then, for every liter of pecan milk, take 8 oz of brown butter and vacuum seal. Let sit for 24 hours, then refrigerate until butter freezes. Strain butter from milk, then add equal weight sugar.

About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila and Carolan’s Irish Cream Liqueur.

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CONTACT:

Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
(502) 413-0217
lcherry@heavenhill.com

To view and download more images from this release, click here.

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Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Reaches 1,000th Barrel Milestone

The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, a cornerstone of Whiskey Row’s renaissance in Downtown Louisville, filled the 1,000th barrel on February 1, 2018. The artisanal distillery reaches this milestone after producing one barrel per day since production began in September 2013, compared to the 1,300 barrels produced per day at Heaven Hill Distillery’s Bernheim Facility. The multi-million dollar artisanal distillery, immersive tour experience and retail location celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams, Kentucky’s first distiller, and is the first official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Bourbon tourism continues to grow rapidly, with more than 1.4 million visitors enjoying tourism experiences across Kentucky in 2017. As the first distillery to re-open on Whiskey Row, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience celebrates the heritage and craft of American Whiskey distilling in Louisville.

“When the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience opened in 2013, a unique, innovative experience was created where Bourbon fans, historians, and visitors alike could enjoy our nation’s spirit,” said Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira. “We are proud to celebrate filling 1,000 barrels at our artisanal distillery with the City of Louisville and look forward to sharing product from the first barrels when they mature.”

Evan Williams was not only a pioneer in Bourbon, but also a Trustee of the City of Louisville, wharfmaster, and built the first county clerk’s office and city jail. In honor of Williams’ heritage in Louisville and the milestone achieved by the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, the 1,000th barrel was dedicated to the City of Louisville. The unfilled barrel was displayed in the lobbies of seven downtown partners for one day each before being transported from Mayor Greg Fischer’s office to the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience to be filled. All visitors were invited to sign the barrel on the day of the filling.

“Bourbon is a unique part of both our rich history and our bright future,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “Distillery experiences like Evan Williams are part of what we call Bourbonism, creating a great opportunity for our city to become an even more popular tourist destination in the years ahead. And that’s more great news for our economy.”

Marked by a five-story Evan Williams Bourbon bottle on the building façade at 528 West Main Street, the facility epitomizes Louisville ‘Bourbonism’ movement at its finest. Artisanal Distiller Jodie Filiatreau operates a fully functioning, copper pot still distillery producing one barrel per day, just as Evan Williams would have in his distillery on the Ohio River more than 200 years ago.

As Heaven Hill Distillery’s flagship Bourbon brand and the second largest selling Kentucky Bourbon in the world, the legacy of Evan Williams is brought to life through a state-of-the-art modern facility. Guests are transported through the distillation process and history of Whiskey Row when Williams himself first built his distillery. Premium tastings of Heaven Hill Distillery’s award-winning whiskeys are also included on a variety of tours offered.

Visitors can learn more about tours and tastings at www.evanwilliams.com/visit.

To view and download more images from this release, click here.

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CONTACT:

Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

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Bartender of the Year San Francisco Finalist Celebrates New Family Adventure in Winning Recipe

Heaven Hill Brands, Liquor.com announce first of six finalists for 2018 “Bartender of the Year”

BARDSTOWN, KY – Mix a strong character base with maturation, sweet and spice, and a dash of balance for Jorge Vargas-Baquedano’s winning recipe for both cocktails and family. Announced today as the Heaven Hill Brands and Liquor.com San Francisco finalist for the 2018 Bartender of the Year Competition, Vargas-Baquedano won first place, $1,000 and a trip to the finals at The Lodge on Sea Island, Ga. Vargas-Baquedano previously won the 2016 San Francisco semifinal, moving on to compete in the finals at the St. Regis Bahia Resort in Puerto Rico.

“The ‘New Adventure’ cocktail represents the warm and special time when my wife, the dogs, and me, play with baby Amelia before she goes to bed,” said Vargas-Baquedano, Lead Bartender at Jack Rose Libation House in Los Gatos, Calif. “It’s the special bond we want to create for her; the meaning of family.”

Watson Barry of Oakland, Calif. won second place and $500. Six semifinalists competed regionally in San Francisco on Sunday, January 21 at The Pacific Cocktail Haven. Bartenders competed in two rounds, first mixing the family-inspired cocktail from their preliminary submission, then creating an original cocktail fit from the menu of the host bar using at least 1.5 ounces of total of Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, or Rittenhouse Rye Whisky. Contestants and judges were then invited to a family dinner at Proper Hotel where Adam Rogers, editor of Wired magazine and author of “Proof,” led a discussion on the science of booze and the winner was announced

National Brand Educator for Heaven Hill Brands Lynn House, Bar Manager of Clyde Common & Pépé Le Moko Jeffrey Morgenthaler, and former National Beverage Director for the Mina Group and current Bartender for Pacific Cocktail Haven Brian Means judged the semifinalists’ cocktails and chose one finalist based on highest scores. Contestant skills and cocktails were scored on flavor, appearance, presentation, technical skills, use of sponsor brands, and adherence to judges’ guidelines.

More than 1,000 original cocktail recipes were submitted online nationwide beginning September 15, 2017. Preliminary entries required two original cocktail recipes, one rendition of a classic recipe, and one relating to family along with a short description of how the cocktail was inspired by their interpretation of family. The top contestant from each region will go on to vie for the title of Bartender of the Year and $15,000 at The Lodge on Sea Island, Ga. in June 2018. Finalists will be challenged on their full range of skills as hospitality professionals. Judges will be looking for the ultimate bartender who displays the total breadth and aptitude all bartenders aspire to embody.

Grounded in the original Bartender of the Year Competition hosted by Domaine de Canton starting in 2009, Heaven Hill Brands resurrected the competition due to strong demand from bartenders worldwide. Nathan O’Neill from the Nomad Bar in New York City was named Bartender of the Year in 2017, and Abigail Gullo of Compere Lapin in New Orleans won the inaugural competition in 2016. Visit the official competition website at http://www.bartenderoftheyear.liquor.com for complete competition details.

New Adventure – Inspired by the concept of family
Crafted by Jorge Vargas-Baquedano

Ingredients:

  • Rittenhouse Rye (2 ounce(s))
  • Amontillado sherry (.75 ounce(s))
  • homemade fig syrup (.25 ounce(s))
  • Angostura bitters (2 dash(es))

Add all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir. After, strain the cocktail into a Nick & Nora glass. Serve with black walnut & chocolate cloud essences coming from a glass with dry ice, perfuming the cocktail.

About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila and Carolan’s Irish Cream Liqueur.

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CONTACT:

Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

To view and download more images from this release, click here.

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Champion Named in Heaven Hill Brands 2017 “Bartender of the Year”

BARDSTOWN, KY – Heaven Hill Brands and Liquor.com announced today the champion of the 2017 Bartender of the Year competition. After a nationwide search to find the top bartenders across America, Nathan O’Neill from the Nomad Bar in New York City is the 2017 Bartender of the Year and the recipient of $15,000.

“I’m excited to be the 2017 Heaven Hill and Liquor.com Bartender of the Year. It was an incredible experience, set in such a beautiful location,” said O’Neill. “The standard of the competitors was absolutely fantastic and the atmosphere was perfect the whole time”

Eight finalists competed beachside at the St. Regis Bahia Resort in Puerto Rico on June 5. Final bartenders competed in a “beverage program” challenge creating an original cocktail utilizing ingredients native to Puerto Rico that was presented as if being considered for the St. Regis beverage program. The challenge was broken down into several sections, including selection of ingredients, concepting, ingredient preparation, recipe development, and presentation. Contestants were also asked to create two classic cocktails, one shaken and one stirred. Judging was based on the quality of the cocktails, the adherence to the guidelines, the technical performance, and the overall presentation.

Over 844 original cocktail recipes using Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky were submitted online nationwide beginning August 1, 2016. 32 semifinalists then competed in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami, Dallas, Nashville, Denver, Chicago and New York throughout February and March. The top contestant from each regional semifinal vied for the title of Bartender of the Year and $15,000 at the St. Regis Bahia Resort in Puerto Rico.

“Our bartender of the year competition continues to raise the bar for innovation and professionalism in the hospitality industry,” said Kate Latts, Vice President Marketing for Heaven Hill Brands. “Congratulations to Nathan O’Neill, and to each of the contestants for their commitment to excellence and creativity.”

National Brand Educator for Heaven Hill Brands Lynn House, Bar Manager of Clyde Common & Pépé Le Moko Jeffrey Morgenthaler, and Owner/Bartender of Pouring Ribbons Joaquín Simó, and 2016 Bartender of the Year Abigail Gullo judged the final eight bartenders. Finalists were challenged on their full range of skills as hospitality professionals. Judges were looking for the ultimate bartender who displays the total breadth and aptitude all bartenders aspire to embody.

Grounded in the original Bartender of the Year Competition hosted by Domaine de Canton starting in 2009, Heaven Hill Brands resurrected the competition due to strong demand from bartenders worldwide. Nathan O’Neill from the Nomad Bar in New York City was named Bartender of the Year in 2017, and Abigail Gullo of Compere Lapin in New Orleans won the inaugural competition in 2016. Visit the official competition website at http://www.bartenderoftheyear.liquor.com for complete competition details.

About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Brands (www.heavenhill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer and the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams Bourbon; Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; The Christian Brothers Brandies; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur; Lunazul Tequila and Carolan’s Irish Cream Liqueur.

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