Category: Announcements

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Heaven Hill Distilleries Named “Distiller of the Year” in 17th Annual Malt Advocate Whisky Awards

Renowned distiller also captures “Best Buy Whiskey of the Year” co-honors for their Evan Williams Black Label Bourbon

BARDSTOWN, KY – Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the nation’s largest independent family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer, was named “Distiller of the Year” in the recently announced 17th Annual Malt Advocate Whisky Awards. The nation’s second-largest holder of aging Bourbon, Heaven Hill was also named co-recipient of Malt Advocate’s “Best Buy Whiskey of the Year” award for their Evan Williams Black Label Bourbon, which is itself the second largest selling brand of Bourbon in the United States and the world.

The Malt Advocate Whiskey Awards “recognizes the best in the world of whisk(e)y” and after 17 years is the longest-running whisky awards program in the country. The awards are presented by Malt Advocate Magazine, America’s leading whiskey publication and the sponsor of WhiskyFest, the nation’s largest and most respected whisky tasting event.

In awarding Heaven Hill “Distillery of the Year”, John Hansell, Publisher and Editor of Malt Advocate Magazine, stated that “smart whiskey lovers know their reputation for delivering great value in their whiskey brands. They just celebrated their 75th anniversary in a big way, by filling their six-millionth barrel of whiskey. They’ve been pioneers with their Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage series and the Bernheim Original wheat whiskey. (Master Distiller) Parker Beam’s skills are celebrated with the eponymous and often stupendous Parker’s Heritage Collection…They have been at the spearhead of the rye resurgence, maintaining availability of their value brands (Rittenhouse and Pikesville) and also rolling out an amazing trio of ultra-aged ryes. Heaven Hill takes whiskey seriously. They deserve nothing less.”

In his presentation of “Best Buy Whiskey of the Year” to Evan Williams Black Label–which is the first two-time winner of this award, having captured it previously in 2003–Hansell noted that “Evan Williams is a sophisticated whiskey for its price: smooth, a great aroma, and neither gets lost in nor dominates a cocktail, a classic table bourbon.”

Heaven Hill Distilleries President Max L. Shapira met the news with enthusiasm, stating that “we are particularly proud to be named ‘Distillery of the Year’, validating the hard work and passion that Parker and Craig Beam, and all our employees, invest every day, year after year. This is the third major ‘Distillery of the Year’ award Heaven Hill has received in the last 6 years, and the fourth ‘Best Buy Whiskey of the Year’ award we have won from Malt Advocate, having won previously for Evan Williams Black Label Bourbon, Elijah Craig 12-year-old Small Batch Bourbon and Rittenhouse Rye. We sincerely thank John Hansell and all the people at Malt Advocate for the recognition of both quality and value in our American Whiskeys.”

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (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 The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

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

To download images from this press release, please visit the Heaven Hill “Press Room” at http://download.heavenhill.com and enter the username and password below.
Username: Award (case sensitive)
Password: HHD (case sensitive)

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Heaven Hill and Tierra De Agaves Launch Añejo Bottling of Lunazul 100% Agave Tequila

Award-winning small batch Tequila further builds on remarkable sales success and critical acclaim

BARDSTOWN, KY – Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the nation’s largest independent family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer, along with joint venture partner Tierra de Agaves, announces the April release of Lunazul Añejo 100% Agave Tequila.  Bottled at 80 proof and available in a 750ml size, Lunazul Añejo will be aged for 18 months and will launch nationally in most markets at a suggested retail price of $21.99.

The release of Lunazul Añejo follows up on the extraordinary success of Lunazul Reposado and Blanco varieties that have been in the market since 2008.  Since its release, Lunazul has the garnered “Rising Star” Growth Brand Award  from the Beverage Information Group in both 2009 and 2010. Both varieties have also received broad critical acclaim and top awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the New York Spirits Awards.

The Lunazul brand is continuing to grow and enjoyed a 37% sales increase over the last year, on an already impressive base.   Heaven Hill is confident that the Añejo variety will be well received by consumers and critics much as the Blanco and Reposado have been, and that its strong quality/value proposition will continue to attract new users .  While its pedigree and taste profile are top-tier, Lunazul revolutionized the Tequila category upon its launch in 2008 by offering high quality 100% agave Tequila at a price point just above the mixto category leader.  Today, Lunazul has created a new sub-segment of high quality/high value 100% agave Tequilas. The Tequila category continues to grow and by adding Añejo to the existing Blanco and Reposado varieties, the truly full line allows Lunazul to play in the most connoisseur-driven segment of the 100% agave Tequila market.  

“We are proud to introduce this high-quality 100% agave Añejo Tequila as a worthy successor to the remarkable launches of Lunazul Blanco and Reposado,” stated Heaven Hill senior brand manager Reid Hafer.  “Due to the vast agave holdings and efficient vertical integration of Tierra de Agaves, Lunazul’s pricing has been a game-changer in the 100% agave segment.  The Añejo gives us a bottling at each different age, all supported by the eight-generation heritage of Tierra de Agaves Distillery.”   

Lunazul is estate-grown, small-batch Tequila distilled and bottled at Tierra de Agaves’ state-of-the-art facilities in Jalisco, Mexico.  The vertical integration of source materials, distillation and bottling ensures consistence of taste and quality, backed by the legacy of the Beckmann family.  Tierra de Agaves is one of the few Tequila distilleries that actually own the land on which the agave is grown and harvested, carefully selected from the 4,000 acres of Weber Blue Agave plants that the Beckmann family and their past generations have controlled since 1758.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (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 The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

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

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Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear Joins Heaven Hill Distilleries for New Rickhouse Dedication Ceremony

Company’s Nearly $5 Million Investment Necessitated by Remarkable Growth in the Bourbon Category and Heaven Hill’s Brand Portfolio
 
BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the nation’s largest independent family-owned distilled spirits producer and the world’s second-largest holder of aging Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, today welcomed Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to the company’s Bardstown headquarters to help dedicate the newly constructed Rickhouse “J”.  The new whiskey aging warehouse is part of a nearly $5 million expansion to the company’s Bourbon barrel storage capacity, already the second greatest in the world at 900,000 barrels.  

Heaven Hill, producers of such renowned American Whiskey brands as Evan Williams Bourbon—the second largest selling Bourbon brand in the US and the world—Elijah Craig Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald Bourbon, Rittenhouse Rye and Bernheim Original Straight Wheat Whiskey, required the additional barrel storage to accommodate the growth in the company’s sales and whiskey production. For the first time in 2010, Heaven Hill produced more barrels of American Whiskey and Bourbon than any other American distiller.   With 49 warehouses in Nelson and Jefferson Counties already filled to the capacity with aging whiskey, the company met the need for additional barrel storage facilities with the construction of two new rickhouses, increasing the company’s barrel storage capacity by an additional 40,000 barrels.

Heaven Hill just recently filled the company’s 6 millionth barrel of fine Kentucky Bourbon in December, thereby becoming only the second continuously operating distillery in the country to do so.  

In helping Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira cut the ribbon and roll in the first 53 gallon, 500 pound barrel, Governor Beshear noted that “Kentucky is internationally known for its rich heritage in the Bourbon industry and this latest expansion at Heaven Hill further enhances that reputation.  The Commonwealth is pleased to partner with one of its signature industries to make these investments possible.”  The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority had previously approved Heaven Hill Distilleries for tax benefits through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act, which allows approved companies to recoup state sales and use tax on building and construction materials.  

Heaven Hill President Shapira stated that the company “is extremely pleased to be dedicating our new rickhouses, not only because of the growth in our Bourbon and American Whiskey business that has necessitated this expansion, but also because of the positive impact this has on Bardstown, Nelson County and the Commonwealth.”

Beshear and Shapira were joined by local and state dignitaries, as well as executives from the family-owned company and Heaven Hill’s 7th generation Master Distiller, Craig Beam, for the ceremony.  The new warehouse, along with Rickhouse “I” that was completed in December, will be filled in short order to accommodate the demands for Heaven Hill’s products, and will join 18 other rickhouses at the company’s Bardstown facilities and another 29 rickhouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties.
 
Guests gathered at the Heaven Hill’s award-winning visitor’s center, the Bourbon Heritage Center, and were shuttled out to the warehouse site for the dedication aboard the Heaven Hill Trolley, which is a well-known sight year round throughout Bardstown as it carries riders to all the area’s major attractions.  

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (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 The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

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

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

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Burnett’s Adds Two Flavors to Flavored Vodka Line

 

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – The top-selling Burnett’s Flavored Vodka family has added two new flavors to one of the industry’s largest flavor lines.  Burnett’s Limeade and Orange Cream are the two newest additions to the innovative portfolio of flavors.

Burnett’s Limeade and Orange Cream reflect two of the freshest new ideas in the flavored vodka category.  “We seek to provide Burnett’s consumers with flavor development that is innovative but, more importantly, usable,” said Reid Hafer, Senior Brand Manager, Burnett Flavored Vodkas. “There are plenty of new flavors in the category but we concentrate on quality, utility and taste.”

The new flavors bring Burnett’s portfolio of flavors to 23. Since the introduction of its first flavor, Burnett’s Flavored Vodkas have grown to be one of the largest portfolios in the entire industry.  The franchise now includes – Blueberry, Cherry, Citrus, Coconut, Cranberry, Espresso, Fruit Punch, Grape, Lime, Mango, Orange, Peach, Pink Lemonade, Pomegranate, Raspberry, Sour Apple, Strawberry, Sweet Tea, Vanilla, Watermelon and now Orange Cream and Limeade.

The launch of the new flavors is supported by POS for floor displays and shelf facings, as well as sales education materials.  The Burnett’s website, (www.burnettsvodka.com) will also provide information and appetizing drink recipes for all the flavors.

Burnett’s Limeade and Orange Cream Flavored Vodkas are available in 1.75L, 1.0L, 750ml, and 50ml sizes, bottled at 35% alcohol by volume (70 proof).  The product is available for a suggested retail price of $9.99 for a 750ml. 

Burnett’s is one of the leading franchises in the distilled spirits industry.  Since 2000, Burnett’s Vodka has been a regular Beverage Information Group “Growth Brand” and Impact “Hot Brand” as one of the fastest growing products in the industry.  The entire line includes the regular 80 proof Vodka, an array of Flavored Vodkas, Gin, Rums, Ultras, and 100 proof varieties.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (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 The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

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

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CONTACT:
Josh Hafer
Corporate Communications Manager
(502) 413-0219
jhafer@heavenhill.com

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Heaven Hill Distilleries Announces Release of 2001 Edition of Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon

The 16th Annual Edition of the Award-Winning Vintage-Dated Bourbon to Begin Shipping After Holidays

LOUISVILLE, Ky. –   Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. announces the release of the 2001 edition of its highly acclaimed Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the 16th annual release of the series.

The world-renowned Single Barrel Bourbon has garnered many prestigious awards, including “Spirit of the Year – American Whiskey” from Food & Wine; “Domestic Whiskey of the Year” by Malt Advocate; and “Whiskey of the Year” by The Spirit Journal, the first Bourbon upon which the publication has bestowed this prestigious title. “Even though the mashbill–the grain recipe–is the same from year to year, we try to achieve a particular flavor profile with each vintage,” noted Heaven Hill Master Distiller Parker Beam, who along with his son Craig produces and selects each vintage from among Heaven Hill’s 900,000 barrels of aging Bourbon.  “And judging from the critical acclaim it’s received, it seems like we’ve been pretty successful with the vintage-dated concept behind Evan Williams Single Barrel.”
 
Heaven Hill, the nation’s largest remaining family-owned and operated, independent spirits producer and the world’s second-largest holder of aging Bourbon, offered a sneak peak of the latest vintage in the landmark series for 500 members of its Bardstown Whiskey Society in an elegant setting at Louisville’s famed Derby Museum at Churchill Downs back in November.
   
As with the previous 15 vintages, which are now highly sought after collector’s items, each bottle of the 2001 edition of Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon is marked with the exact date that it was placed in oak and bottled, in addition to the exact serial number of the single barrel from which it was drawn.

The 86.6 proof Bourbon is matured in natural open-rick warehouses under the careful supervision of Heaven Hill’s father and son Master Distillers, who monitor the progress of each year’s vintage to ensure it maintains its intended flavor profile and superb quality.  This new edition features the traditional corn, malted barley and rye mashbill, and stringent selection of barrels from the top three floors of the rickhouse, that are the hallmarks of all of Parker and Craig Beam’s Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbons.  The 2001 edition will be available nationally beginning in January 2011 at an average retail price of $25.99 for a 750 ml bottle, which is why it has also been named a “Best Buy” award winner by Malt Advocate and Wine Enthusiast magazines, among others.  

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (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 The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

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

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

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Heaven Hill Distilleries Fills Milestone 6 Millionth Barrel of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Company Only the Second Continuously Operated Distillery to Reach Historic Number

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the nation’s largest independent family-owned distilled spirits producer and the world’s second-largest holder of aging Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, today celebrated the filling of Bourbon barrel number six million. Heaven Hill is only the second continuously operating Bourbon producer to reach the historic benchmark. And in an historic coincidence, the filling of barrel number six million took place on the exact same day, 75 years later, that Heaven Hill filled their first barrel of Bourbon in 1935.

“It is indeed a proud day for our company and our extended Heaven Hill family,” said Heaven Hill Distilleries President Max L. Shapira. “That the filling of this historic barrel fell on the 75th anniversary of the day that my father and his four brothers filled Heaven Hill’s very first Bourbon barrel makes this day monumentally important for us. And it is made all the more special that it is personally overseen by two generations of my family and two generations of the family of our Master Distillers Parker and Craig Beam.”

No one could foresee the many changes and tremendous growth that lay ahead for both Heaven Hill and the American Whiskey industry in between the filling of their first barrel– ironically on Friday, December 13th, 1935–and their latest milestone barrel, but the company remains true to its original mission as a family-owned and operated independent Kentucky company, the last remaining in the Bourbon business today. Heaven Hill now has over 900,000 aging barrels of Kentucky Bourbon in their inventory, and their flagship Evan Williams brand is the second largest selling Bourbon in the United States and the world.

The 6 millionth barrel was “bunged off” by sixth- and seventh-generation father and son Master Distillers Parker and Craig Beam in a brief ceremony at Heaven Hill’s cistern room attended by company executives and local dignitaries. Congressman Brett Guthrie, Bardstown Mayor J. Richard Heaton and Mayor Elect Bill Sheckles, State Rep. David Floyd and Nelson County Judge Executive Dean Watts attended the brief ceremony and offered congratulations to the company on their latest accomplishment. The barrel was then moved to Rickhouse “Y” where it will rest alongside the other Heaven Hill milestone barrels in a special display where visitors to Heaven Hill’s Bourbon Heritage Center may view them.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (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 The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

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

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

To download images from this press release, please visit the Heaven Hill “Press Room” at http://download.heavenhill.com and enter the username and password below.
Username: Six (case sensitive)
Password: Million (case sensitive)

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Byron White Wins Top Prize for Original Bourbon Cuisine at 25th Annual Evan Williams Bourbon Cooking Contest

LOUISVILLE, (Ky.) – The 25th annual Evan Williams Bourbon Cooking Contest kicked off the culinary competitions at the Kentucky State Fair on Friday, August 20th, showcasing many of the most creative Bourbon dishes in the Commonwealth.  Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., producers of Evan Williams Bourbon, awarded the coveted Blue Ribbon top prize to Byron White of Louisville, Kentucky for his Evan Williams Fruit Chutney Beef Spring Rolls.

A distinguished panel of local judges selected the entrée from over 32 entries this year. Red (second place) and White (third place) ribbons were awarded to Mary G. Applegate of Salem, Indiana for Peach and Pecan Bourbon Pork Tenderloin and April Ravenscroft of Louisville, Kentucky for Drunken Baby Backs, respectively.

Judges for the contest included Ron Mikulak, Assistant Food Editor at The Courier-Journal; Ed Nolan, Executive Chef, Mitchell’s Fish Market; Jason Brauner, Owner, Bourbon’s Bistro; Bret Donaldson, President of the KY Chapter of the American Culinary Federation; Barry Bernson, Fox 41 TV News “Fox In the Morning” anchor; and Heaven Hill Master Distiller Craig Beam.

During the judging, contestants and spectators were treated to a cooking with Bourbon demonstration by Chef G. Allen Akmon, Chairman for the Culinary Arts Departments at the Louisville and Lexington campuses of Sullivan University.  Chef Akmon performed the demonstration using Evan Williams Bourbon, America’s second-largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  Also on hand to assist Chef Akmon and keep the crowd on its toes was host Kelly K. from the “Ben Davis and Kelly K. Morning Show” on 99.7 WDJX.

Heaven Hill Distilleries, the Bardstown, Ky.-based maker of distilled spirits, produces Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – named for the Commonwealth’s first distiller who set up his distillery on the banks of the Ohio River in 1783.  “The unique heritage of America’s Native Spirit, coupled with the Commonwealth’s flagship exposition, presents a grand stage for some of the finest amateur chefs,” said Max L. Shapira, president of Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. “In this celebratory 25th year we are inspired by their creativity and enthusiasm.”

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, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (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 The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

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

25th Annual Evan Williams Bourbon Cooking Contest Winning Recipe
August 20, 2010

EVAN WILLIAMS FRUIT CHUTNEY BEEF SPRING ROLLS

2 heads Boston lettuce, leaves separated, rinsed and patted dry
2 lbs thin top steak
½ cup Evan Williams Bourbon
16 rice paper (spring roll) wrappers (81D2 inches in diameter)
small sprigs cilantro
Ginger-Soy-Cilantro Sauce
Fruit Chutney

Place steak and Evan Williams bourbon in a bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Remove any tough veins from the center of the lettuce leaves and discard; set lettuce aside.  Grill steak and slice thinly.  Dip a rice paper into a bowl of water for 5 seconds; shake off excess water and place on a clean kitchen towel.  Stack several lettuce leaves on the lower third of the rice paper.  Top with steak and chutney.  Fold the bottom of the rice paper up over the chutney.  Fold in the sides, then roll up. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.  Serve the rolls on a platter with Ginger-Soy-Cilantro Sauce.

Ginger-Soy-Cilantro Sauce

1 ½ teaspoon Oriental sesame oil
1/3 cup minced green onion
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth
¼ cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Evan Williams Bourbon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add shallots and ginger and sauté 2 minutes.  Add broth, orange juice concentrate and vinegar.  Boil until mixture is reduced to ¾ cup, about 6 minutes.  Stir in soy, bourbon and cilantro.  Simmer one minute.  Strain.

Fruit Chutney

½ cup sugar
½ medium red onion, diced
1 ¼ cups diced mango
1 ½ cups diced golden pineapple
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced
1 Asian pear, peeled, cored, and diced
1 cup Evan Williams Bourbon
1 tablespoon ground allspice
¼ cup peeled and finely chopped ginger
1 tablespoon Jalapeno hot sauce
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
½ teaspoon Jamaican Jerk Blend seasoning
3 tablespoons allspice berries, toasted
1 cup apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar

In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the allspice and the vinegar.  Allow to stand for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, toast the allspice berries in a small saucepan until they just begin to smoke.  Add the vinegar, bring to a simmer and reduce to ¼ cup.  Strain, and discard the allspice berries.  Combine the reduced vinegar with the fruit mixture in a large heavy saucepan and simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 30 minutes until the liquid is almost syrupy.  Refrigerate.

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

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Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. appoints Steven E. Feller Vice President of North American Sales

Elected Officer of Company After Guiding Sales Efforts for 18 Years

LOUISVILLE, KY–Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. announced today that current Director of North American Sales Steve Feller has been elected as a Vice President, recognizing his 18 years of service to the company and his last five years leading sales efforts in the U.S. and Canada.

Heaven Hill Distilleries, the largest independent family-owned and operated distilled spirits supplier, is the producer of such renowned category leading brands as Evan Williams Bourbon, Christian Brothers Brandy, Burnett’s Vodkas and Hpnotiq Liqueur, and under Feller’s guidance has leveraged strong sales growth to become the nation’s seventh largest spirits supplier.

Feller, who will continue to lead the company’s overall sales efforts in North America and report to Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira, joined Heaven Hill in 1992, progressing in the sales organization to become Director of North American Sales in 2005.  Prior to coming to Heaven Hill, Feller was with Glenmore Distilleries and United Distillers.  He is a graduate of the University of Louisville and holds an MBA from Bellarmine University.

“In his new position, Steve will continue to provide the leadership that has driven our robust growth during his tenure,” commented Heaven Hill President Shapira.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (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 The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

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

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Rob Rubinstein joins Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. as National Operations Manager

Industry veteran to fill new role at nation’s largest independent family-owned and operated spirits supplier

LOUISVILLE, KY–Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. announced today that distilled spirits industry veteran Robert F. Rubinstein has joined the company, effective August 9th.  Rubinstein was named to the newly-created position of National Sales Operations Manager, reporting to and working with Heaven Hill Director of North American Sales Steve Feller to optimize the company’s growing sales infrastructure.

Heaven Hill Distilleries, the largest independent family-owned and operated distilled spirits supplier, will be utilizing Rubinstein’s sales management experience to further the company’s ongoing alignment of sales processes and resources with short and long-term performance goals.  Heaven Hill is the producer of such renowned category leading brands as Evan Williams Bourbon, Christian Brothers Brandy, Burnett’s Vodka and Hpnotiq Liqueur, and has leveraged strong sales growth to become the nation’s seventh largest overall spirits supplier.

Rubinstein joins Heaven Hill after 13 years with Sidney Frank Importing Company as Director of Sales Analysis and Planning.  Prior to that, he served as a Senior Business Analyst for Bacardi USA’s Eastern and Mid-Atlantic Divisions.  Originally from the New York area, Rubinstein is a graduate of Binghamton University/State University of New York, and holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut.  He will be relocating from New York with his wife Jennifer and two children to Louisville, where he will be officed.

“We are extraordinarily pleased to have an executive with Rob’s track record join us at this time of such robust growth for the company,” commented Heaven Hill Distilleries Director of North American Sales Steve Feller. “He and I, along with our Sales Division Managers, will be refining and building our sales organization for even greater success in the ever-changing distilled spirits landscape.”

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (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 The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

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

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Heaven Hill Distilleries Announces Release of the Fourth Annual Edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection

Cask strength, wheated 10-year-old Bourbon promises to be worthy next entrant in highly decorated whiskey series

BARDSTOWN, KY–Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the country’s largest independent family-owned and operated spirits producer and marketer, announces the September release of the fourth edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection, a limited annual series of rare, aged American Whiskeys that pays tribute to 6th Generation Master Distiller Parker Beam.  The fourth release is a cask-strength, non-chill filtered wheated Bourbon, meaning it uses soft winter wheat instead of rye as the “small grain” to produce a less spicy, rounder Bourbon.

This year’s release of Parker’s Heritage Collection follows last year’s “Golden Anniversary” Bourbon edition, which captured the “American Whiskey of the Year” award from Malt Advocate Magazine, in addition to being named “World’s Best New Release” in Whisky Magazine’s annual 2010 World Whiskey Awards. The 2009 release, a 27-year-old Bourbon, was the first American Whiskey to ever win “Best of Show, Brown Spirits” at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

The new release marks the first in the Parker’s Heritage Collection to depart from the traditional Heaven Hill rye-based Bourbon mashbill.  Instead of the more commonly used corn/malted barley/rye recipe, the newest edition uses corn, malted barley and Kentucky winter wheat.  This recipe was first used at Heaven Hill in the spring of 1999, after the company acquired the wheated Old Fitzgerald line of Bourbons.  This new bottling of Parker’s Heritage Collection will mark the first release of Heaven Hill made, extra-aged wheated Bourbon.  And it will delight whiskey connoisseurs because not only is it non-chill filtered, but it also is being released in two very small batch dumps at barrel proof.  And like the previous three editions, it is being released in very limited quantities–only 52 barrels, kept in high storage in open rick warehouses, were dumped for this edition, yielding approximately 4,800 bottles for the United States and limited international distribution.

And in what will be welcome news in still-unsettled economic times, the fourth release, at $79.99, is priced considerably lower than previous releases, which carried an average national retail price of $150 for last year’s “Golden Anniversary” bottling and$200 for the 27-year-old Bourbon released two years ago.  Whiskey aficionados will also appreciate that the natural esters and fatty acids, which are by-products of whiskey distillation and aging, are not stripped away from the Bourbon in a process known as chill filtering, but are left in the whiskey to provide a fuller taste profile and richer mouthfeel.

Packaged in the same upscale 750ml bottle as the previous three editions, the Parker’s Heritage Collection Wheated Bourbon is available in a three bottle case that should start hitting retail shelves during September, nationally recognized as the start of the Bourbon season.

“I am genuinely excited to introduce a nicely aged, cask-strength wheated Bourbon for this next version of my Parker’s Heritage Collection,” noted Heaven Hill’s Parker Beam.  “At this age and barrel-proof, is how a wheated Bourbon shows best…it has the caramel and smoke notes that only ten years in the top floors of our rickhouses can produce.  And it has the long, smooth finish that I always look for in a Bourbon, with that softness that wheat brings to the recipe. I am very pleased that we now have wheated Bourbon that I feel has aged long enough to wear my name on the label.”

Only Heaven Hill Distilleries, with the world’s second largest inventory of aging Bourbon and over 50% of the world’s supply of Bourbon barrels over 8 years old, could bring such rare and aged whiskeys to market.  Parker Beam, along with his son Craig, oversees one of the world’s most highly esteemed distilling operations, where renowned brands such as Elijah Craig, Old Fitzgerald, and Evan Williams, the world’s second largest selling Bourbon, are produced according to Parker and Craig’s seven-generation-old family recipe and yeast strain.

Founded in 1934, Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (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 The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams and Elijah Craig Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; Hpnotiq Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Lunazul and Two Fingers Tequilas, and Dubonnet Aperitif.

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