Category: Announcements

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Elijah Craig Bourbon Launches Old Fashioned Week in Partnership with PUNCH

Inaugural celebration pledges up to $100,000 to Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation

Elijah Craig and the Old Fashioned embody the centuries-old histories of Bourbon and classic cocktails. Today, the two pair together not only for a great cocktail, but for an even greater cause. In partnership with PUNCH, Elijah Craig Bourbon is launching the inaugural Old Fashioned Week from Oct. 16 – 25, 2020.

In 1789, Rev. Elijah Craig did not set out to become the Father of Bourbon when he first charred oak barrels, but his ingenuity proved a pivotal moment for Bourbon. Less than twenty years later, a spark ignited with what was first known as ‘the whiskey cocktail,’ paving the way for cocktail culture. The renaissance of classic cocktails over the last two decades rejuvenated desire for spirit-forward cocktails that are both balanced and complex, a setting ripe to celebrate an Elijah Craig Old Fashioned. Two classics in their own right, Elijah Craig Small Batch provides a 94-proof Bourbon canvas with a signature warm spice and subtle smoke flavor that complements the sweetness and spiciness of the Old Fashioned’s key ingredients.

“We are inspired by the lengths at which the hospitality industry is joining together to support each other,” said Max Stefka, Elijah Craig Senior Brand Manager. “For ten days we are raising a glass for the greater good by celebrating one great cocktail to lift up one great community through Elijah Craig’s Old Fashioned Week.”

The initial philanthropic goal for Old Fashioned Week will be donating up to $100,000 for the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation (RWCF), an advocacy and action nonprofit created by and for restaurant workers. Donations will go toward direct financial assistance, grants to non-profit partners, and to a zero-interest loan program for small businesses. Starting on Oct. 16, Elijah Craig will host a lineup of live activations designed to be both educational and entertaining in support of RWCF. In partnership with PUNCH, Elijah Craig will also highlight bartenders’ unique stories and signature Old Fashioned cocktails on www.punchdrink.com.

A national sweepstakes that offers a chance to win one of 500 home bar kits will also run from Sept. 1 – Nov. 15. Elijah Craig will match $1 for every online submission at OldFashionedWeek.com or match $5 for every social media submission by posting an image of a ‘virtual cheers’ using the hashtags #OldFashionedWeek or #Sweepstakes and tagging @ElijahCraig. To get involved, donate, or enter to win, consumers are encouraged to visit OldFashionedWeek.com for more information.

To enjoy the Old Fashioned in its purest form, start with the below cocktail recipe:

Ingredients

2 oz. Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
.25 oz. Simple Syrup
3 Dashes of Bitters
Orange Swath
1 Brandied Cherry (optional)

Instructions

In a mixing glass add bitters, simple syrup, Elijah Craig Small Batch, and ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain cocktail over a large ice cube in a double old fashioned glass. Garnish with a swath of orange and an optional brandied cherry.

ABOUT ELIJAH CRAIG BOURBON: Elijah Craig Bourbon bears the name of the Reverend Elijah Craig, known as “The Father of Bourbon,” who established his distillery in 1789 on the banks of Elkhorn Creek in modern day Georgetown, Kentucky. He is credited with being the first distiller to age his wares in charred oak barrels. The clear, unaged corn liquor became transformed into a bold amber liquid with a distinctively smooth flavor that makes Bourbon what it is today. Produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the family of whiskeys includes Elijah Craig Small Batch, Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Elijah Craig Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

First brought to market in 1986, Heaven Hill Distillery’s Master Distillers were selecting a small number of barrels of the finest Bourbon to make Elijah Craig Small Batch long before the term “small batch” even existed. It is this attention to detail and superb craftsmanship that give Elijah Craig an ideal balance of age, robust body, and rich flavor. Elijah Craig accolades have included Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year, Best Small Batch Bourbon and Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Excellent Highly Recommended honors at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. For more information, please visit www.elijahcraig.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Cherry
lcherry@heavenhill.com

Images for download here.

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Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Fall 2020 Edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series

Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of the fall 2020 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at 14-years-old. Comprised of barrels produced in fall of 2005, and bottled in fall of 2020, the sixth national release ushers in the latest hallmark series to the bottled-in-bond legacy.

Bottled in an ornate decanter, the fall edition denotes a black label, consistent across all fall releases. As was the case for the past editions, this 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. The Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond fall edition will be available in the 750ml size on an allocated basis. It 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 edition is available at a suggested retail price of $140.

A previous 14-year-old edition was released as a visitors center and Kentucky allocated product, denoted with a red label. The fall 2020 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the first 14-year-old of the nationally released series and features Bourbon pulled from different rickhouses, at different floors, and on different production dates. As a 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.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

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Heaven Hill Statement on Social Media Advertising

Beginning July 1, Heaven Hill will pause advertising on all social media platforms. As a company, we are committed to promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for both the immediate and long-term. We are committed to meaningful and accountable measures on all our marketing platforms and believe more must be done to create safe and inclusive online communities.

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Heaven Hill Supports the Black Community

During the last few weeks, our country has endured one of the most difficult times in its long and storied history.  The sad and senseless deaths and lack of justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and countless others have exposed the long overdue reform necessary to establish equal rights for the black community.

We support those who protest institutions in our society that perpetuate injustice. We have witnessed and felt the pain in our country.  We support the voices that are courageously speaking up to create positive change in our communities. While at times those voices have been co-opted by others perpetrating violence and destruction, their truth rings louder than those attempting to suppress them.

Eighty-five years ago, our company was established by the second generation of an immigrant family. We have always believed in equal rights, inclusion and respect for all.

Meaningful change must come. Heaven Hill is committed to creating more diversity and inclusion in our company and to supporting change in our communities. We are having the difficult conversations and working to define what actions we can take to impact meaningful, long-term change.

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Heaven Hill Statement Regarding Visitors Center Closures Due to Coronavirus

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Effective close of business today, March 13, 2020, the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown, Kentucky and the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in Downtown Louisville will temporarily suspend all tours and retail sales. Heaven Hill will continue to assess the public health situation and will reopen at a future date that is to be determined. Heaven Hill is taking this measure as a safeguard to protect its employees and guests and the action comes in the wake of recommendations by Federal and State health officials and by the Kentucky Distillers’ Association to take all necessary precautions to help reduce the potential spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). All previously scheduled tours will be refunded – visitors with questions please visit https://heavenhilldistillery.com/visit-us.php for contact information.

There are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus at any Heaven Hill facility. Coronavirus has not impacted production. Additionally, all production facilities are operating as usual with added health and safety protocols.

After a special meeting on Thursday, the KDA Board of Directors recommended that members take all necessary precautions to reduce the potential spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Some KDA members are implementing strict measures to safeguard visitors, including enhanced sanitation procedures and reduced tour and tasting group sizes, or scaling back tours of sensitive areas, while others are choosing to suspend tours temporarily.

Heaven Hill is committed to protecting the health and safety of its most valuable asset, the employees, and is taking this mitigating action to support broader initiatives across the Commonwealth and ensure general public safety. Through the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and state health department, Heaven Hill will continue to update health and safety protocols as necessary.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

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Bartender of the Year Los Angeles Finalist Reflects on Childhood Memories for Winning Cocktail

Heaven Hill Brands, Liquor.com announce third finalist for 2020 “Bartender of the Year”

BARDSTOWN, KY – Vay Su, Bartender at Republique in Los Angeles, was announced as the Heaven Hill Brands and Liquor.com Los Angeles finalist for the 2020 Bartender of the Year Competition. Su, a 2019 finalist, won first place, $1,000, and a trip to the finals at Half Mile Farm in Highlands, North Carolina.

In the second round of the semifinal competition, contestants created the inspired cocktail submitted as a recipe in the preliminary round. Su crafted the “Chinese Cocktail Bun,” inspired by Sunday morning breakfast with his parents, featuring Rittenhouse Rye and Lunazul Tequila Reposado (see recipe at end of release).

“When I was younger, I used to have breakfast almost every other Sunday morning with my parents at a Hong Kong cafe or Dim Sum restaurant… I remember the excitement and anticipation when we woke up on Sunday morning knowing that we are going to have dim sum and I would skip the usual fixing and keep my eye out for the coconut buns. The excitement of finally getting it and taking that first bite, it was magical,” said Su. “When I try to think back…Chinese Coconut cocktail bun is one of the earliest memories that I resonate with my parents. It was a simple joy of my childhood; I think back at how I was when I was a kid and one of the things I would look forward to was a simple coconut cocktail bun.”

Thi Nguyen of The Saap Avenue in Oakland, Calif. won second place and $500. Su and Nguyen were joined by four other semifinalists as they competed regionally in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 3 at Death & Co. Bartenders competed in three rounds, the first two featuring the classic cocktail and inspired cocktail from their preliminary submission. For the final round, bartenders created a custom drink for a fictional bar menu using a minimum of 1.5 ounces of at least one Heaven Hill brand not previously featured in one of their cocktails including Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, as well as Dubonnet Rouge Aperitif, Sacred Bond Brandy, or Lunazul Tequila. Contestants and judges were then invited to a family dinner at Dama and professional development with Christine Wiseman, Bar Manager at Broken Shaker at Freehand Los Angeles. Wiseman spoke to the importance of mentorship and growing the industry together by taking the responsibility of what you learn in a competition or training back to your own bar to teach others.

National Spirits Specialist and Portfolio Mixologist for Heaven Hill Brands Lynn House, Author and Bar Manager of Clyde Common & Pépé Le Moko Jeffrey Morgenthaler, and Wiseman judged the semifinalists’ cocktails and chose one finalist based on highest scores. Contestants’ skills and cocktails were scored on flavor, appearance, presentation, technical skills, use of sponsor brands, and adherence to judges’ guidelines.

More than 1,150 original cocktail recipes were submitted online nationwide beginning September 15, 2019. Preliminary entries required two original cocktail recipes, one rendition of a classic recipe, and one relating to an inspiration, along with a short description of how the cocktail represents a deep inspiration to their life. The top contestant from each region will go on to vie for the title of Bartender of the Year and $15,000 at Half Mile Farm in Highlands, North Carolina from June 15-18, 2020. 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 and with a goal of supporting growth, education and awareness in the bartending community. Justin Ware of Night Shift in Houston was the 2019 Bartender of the Year and will return as a guest judge for the finals. Ware joined the ranks of esteemed past winners: Harrison Ginsberg from Crown Shy in New York City was named Bartender of the Year in 2018, Nathan O’Neill from the Nomad Bar was named Bartender of the Year in 2017, and Abigail Gullo of Ben Paris in Seattle won the inaugural competition in 2016. Visit the official competition website at http://www.bartenderoftheyear.liquor.com for complete competition details.

Chinese Cocktail Bun
Crafted by Vay Su

Ingredients:

  • Rittenhouse Rye (1.5 ounces)
  • Lunazul Tequila Reposado (.5 ounces)
  • Lunazul Reposado Barley Tea (.5 ounces)
  • Coconut Water (1 ounce)
  • Walnut Oil Fat Washed Bitters (2 dashes)

Add 1.5oz of RIttenhouse, .5oz Lunazul Reposado Barley Tea, 1oz Cocktail Water (Harmless Coconut Water used here), 2 dashes of Walnut Fat Washed Bitters. Stir and strain over large cube in a double old fashioned glass.

Lunazul Reposado Barley Tea: 100ml Lunazul Repo with 100g of Pressed Barley Tea, vacuum bag seal and sous vide it for 1 hour at 65 degrees.

Fat Washed Walnut Bitters: Take some Walnut oil, add 25ml to 50ml of Fee Brother Walnut bitters. Let it sit at room temperature for two hours, occasionally mixing it. Then put it in the freezer overnight to freeze and separate the walnut oil. Strain and pour it in a Japanese dasher. This will add bitter nutty component along with some added texture to the cocktail.

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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 Miami Finalist Looks to Moments of Solitude for Winning Cocktail

Heaven Hill Brands, Liquor.com announce second finalist for 2020 “Bartender of the Year”

BARDSTOWN, KY – Justin Levaughn, Bartender at The Courtesy in Orlando, was announced as the Heaven Hill Brands and Liquor.com Miami finalist for the 2020 Bartender of the Year Competition. Levaughn won first place, $1,000, and a trip to the finals at Half Mile Farm in Highlands, North Carolina.

In the second round of the semifinal competition, contestants created the inspired cocktail submitted as a recipe in the preliminary round. Levaughn crafted the “Dawn Patrol,” inspired by his search for solitude in days filled with social interactions, featuring Rittenhouse Rye and Sacred Bond Brandy (see recipe at end of release).

“As a bartender we are experts in social interaction, but as a result our moments alone can be rare,” said Levaughn. “I combat this by surfing alone early in the mornings as a way to reset. I deeply appreciate these moments of solitude and take in every second of it. This cocktail encompasses the senses of my morning search along the beach with coffee in hand deciding which place will become my day’s escape.”

Tatiana Rotari of Pescado in Rosemary Beach, Fla. won second place and $500. Levaughn and Rotari were joined by four other semifinalists as they competed regionally in Miami on Monday, January 27 at Café La Trova. Bartenders competed in three rounds, the first two featuring the classic cocktail and inspired cocktail from their preliminary submission. For the final round, bartenders created a custom drink for a fictional bar menu using a minimum of 1.5 ounces of at least one Heaven Hill brand not previously featured in one of their cocktails including Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, as well as Dubonnet Rouge Aperitif, Sacred Bond Brandy, or Lunazul Tequila. Contestants and judges were then invited to a family dinner at Café La Trova and professional development with Julio Cabrera, Cantinero & Founder at Café La Trova. Cabrera spoke about his journey from Cuba to the United States, and how bartending competitions allowed him to achieve his dreams through learning and growing.

National Spirits Specialist and Portfolio Mixologist for Heaven Hill Brands Lynn House, Owner/Bartender of Pouring Ribbons Joaquín Simó, and Cabrera judged the semifinalists’ cocktails and chose one finalist based on highest scores. Contestants’ skills and cocktails were scored on flavor, appearance, presentation, technical skills, use of sponsor brands, and adherence to judges’ guidelines.

More than 1,150 original cocktail recipes were submitted online nationwide beginning September 15, 2019. Preliminary entries required two original cocktail recipes, one rendition of a classic recipe, and one relating to an inspiration, along with a short description of how the cocktail represents a deep inspiration to their life. The top contestant from each region will go on to vie for the title of Bartender of the Year and $15,000 at Half Mile Farm in Highlands, North Carolina from June 15-18, 2020. 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 and with a goal of supporting growth, education and awareness in the bartending community. Justin Ware of Night Shift in Houston was the 2019 Bartender of the Year and will return as a guest judge for the finals. Ware joined the ranks of esteemed past winners: Harrison Ginsberg from Crown Shy in New York City was named Bartender of the Year in 2018, Nathan O’Neill from the Nomad Bar was named Bartender of the Year in 2017, and Abigail Gullo of Ben Paris in Seattle won the inaugural competition in 2016. Visit the official competition website at http://www.bartenderoftheyear.liquor.com for complete competition details.

Dawn Patrol
Crafted by Justin Levaughn

Ingredients:

  • Rittenhouse Rye (1 ounce)
  • Sacred Bond Brandy (1 ounce)
  • Cuban coffee coconut cordial  (.5 ounce)
  • Averna (.5 ounce)
  • Absinthe  (Bsp  rinse)

Add all ingredients into mixing pitcher. Add ice and stir until properly diluted and fine-strain into Nick and Nora. Express lemon peel, manicure, pin and with dusted mint.

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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 Donates $100,000 to Project Hope, Benefiting the CHI Saint Joseph Health – Cancer Care Center at Flaget Memorial Hospital

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Today, Heaven Hill Brands presented the largest donation to date to Project Hope— $100,000. In continued support of CHI Saint Joseph Health – Cancer Care Center at Flaget Memorial Hospital, Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira presented the donation among foundation and hospital staff including CHI Saint Joseph Health Foundations President Leslie Smart, Flaget Memorial Hospital President Jennifer Nolan, Dr. Monte Martin, Dr. Kristi Paris, nurses, survivors, and Heaven Hill employees.

As the largest independent, family-owned and operated spirits producer, the Bardstown-based company is proud to support one of the most critical projects in Nelson and surrounding counties as part of the Foundation’s 2019 capital campaign. Project Hope is the Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation’s mission to raise $1.2 million to construct an expanded cancer center. In a community where so many Heaven Hill employees live, this project could touch the lives of several Heaven Hill employees and their loved ones.

“As a locally owned company, our family and employees have called Bardstown home since Heaven Hill was founded in 1935,” said Shapira. “This cause is particularly important to my family to continue the support my father and Heaven Hill co-founder Ed Shapira began in 1946. We are dedicated to supporting the community in which our employees work and live, and it is our hope that this donation will elevate the impact and reach of Flaget Memorial Hospital’s resources and care.”

“During this week of Thanksgiving, we give thanks for Heaven Hill and this generous donation that will help us to expand our cancer center,” said Nolan. “It is always better for patients to be able to access cancer care close to home. The generous support for Project Hope will allow us to increase the number of infusion rooms and add a pharmacy to serve our patients.”

Throughout the years Heaven Hill has supported Flaget’s mission and values through various initiatives, including Heaven Hill Co-Founder Ed Shapira’s unwavering support of Flaget’s campaign benefitting the construction of the original facility. After the first campaign was unsuccessful, Ed stepped in to lead the way to create the foundation for a world-class community hospital in 1946. Again in 1982, Ed and Heaven Hill offered support to Flaget, assisting with the purchase of a new portable cardiac care system allowing the hospital to better serve the local community. This donation was especially important to the Shapira family as Ed had been a patient in Flaget’s cardiac care unit relying on the same type of medical equipment. Recently, Heaven Hill supported Flaget Cancer Center’s Project Hope during its 2018 Annual Philanthropy Project resulting in an employee-driven donation of nearly $28,000. Additionally, the company has hosted various events benefitting Flaget’s Project Hope, including Fifty Shades of Pink and A Cure Under Construction.

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, Elijah Craig, Larceny, and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Rittenhouse Rye Whisky; Deep Eddy and Burnett’s Vodkas; Admiral Nelson’s and Blackheart Rums; Black Velvet Canadian Whisky; Lunazul Tequila; The Christian Brothers Brandies; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Carolans Irish Cream Liqueur; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur.

ABOUT FLAGET MEMORIAL HOSPITAL: Flaget Memorial Hospital, part of CHI Saint Joseph Health, is a 52-bed facility located in Bardstown, KY. Established in 1951 by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, the facility serves residents of Nelson, Hardin, Marion, Washington, Spencer, Bullitt and LaRue counties. The facility is also home to Nelson County’s first full-service cancer center.

ABOUT FLAGET MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation supports CHI Saint Joseph Health’s drive for excellence by inspiring donors to make a tangible difference through their philanthropic investment in outstanding patient care facilities and services, the education of caregivers, advanced clinical research and improved access to quality medical care.

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Heaven Hill Brands Closes Black Velvet Acquisition

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Today, Heaven Hill Brands, the nation’s largest independent, family-owned and operated distilled spirits supplier completed the acquisition of Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, the second-largest selling Canadian whisky in the world, and the historic Black Velvet Distilling facility in Lethbridge, Canada, from Constellation Brands Inc.

Black Velvet, named for its velvety smooth taste, fills an important gap in Heaven Hill’s broad distilled spirits portfolio by substantially expanding sales activities in the Imported Whisky category and fits perfectly with its portfolio of high volume, quality brands like Evan Williams Bourbon, Burnett’s Vodka, Deep Eddy Vodka, Admiral Nelson’s Rums, and Christian Brothers Brandies.

“Today we are proud to officially welcome this iconic brand and others into Heaven Hill’s historic portfolio,” said Max L. Shapira, President of Heaven Hill Brands. “The Heaven Hill family is proud to continue the culture of Black Velvet and nurture the unique heritage of this great Canadian Whisky that has built a solid foundation for growth.”

Perella Weinberg Partners LP acted as exclusive financial advisor to Heaven Hill Brands with respect to the transaction. The historic Black Velvet Distilling facility is one of the eight traditional Canadian distilleries in operation. The acquisition includes all the distilling operations, aging and bottling facilities and the remaining portfolio of Canadian Whisky brands owned by Constellation, which includes Black Velvet, MacNaughton, McMasters, and the international business of the Schenley brands – Golden Wedding and OFC. Canadian Whisky made up 7.3% of total distilled spirits volume in 2018 according to Beverage Information Group, the largest segment of all total Imported Whiskey. The Canadian Whisky category is approximately 16.8 million cases, with Black Velvet volume representing almost two million cases in the U.S. in 2018.

 

CONTACT:
Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

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The Search for Heaven Hill Brands, Liquor.com 2020 “Bartender of the Year” Begins NOW!

Winner will receive $15,000 at finals Half Mile Farm in North Carolina

Heaven Hill Brands and Liquor.com are searching for the 2020 Bartender of the Year in the competition’s fifth anniversary. The event welcomes bartenders from across the United States to join the Heaven Hill family through online submissions, regional semifinals and the crowning of the Bartender of the Year in June 2020, returning to the picturesque Half Mile Farm in Highlands, North Carolina.

Bartenders will be challenged to demonstrate a variety of cocktail skills using Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur, Elijah Craig Small Batch, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Dubonnet Rouge Grand Aperitif, Sacred Bond Brandy and Lunazul Tequila. The 2020 Bartender of the Year contest will identify the bartender who best embodies the range of qualities to which all bartenders aspire to be, as Justin Ware from Houston expertly showcased throughout each round of the competition to be named the 2019 Bartender of the Year. From service to history and skills to quality preparation, the 2020 Bartender of the Year will be a celebrated example of what it means to be a hospitality professional behind the bar.

“As we enter the fifth year of competition amidst a thriving cocktail culture we are excited to taste and see the creativity as it takes on a new level each year,” said Kate S. Latts, Vice President, Marketing for Heaven Hill Brands. “Our diverse portfolio of spirits, coupled with an investment in education and camaraderie for participants, creates a foundation for growth and showcases the passion each bartender has for their craft. We look forward to adding the newest members to our growing Heaven Hill family.”

Heaven Hill Brands and Liquor.com will identify candidates for Bartender of the Year first by online submissions beginning September 15 and continuing through November 5. Submissions will be evaluated throughout November by the three returning national judges: Heaven Hill National Brand Educator Lynn House, Bar Manager of Clyde Common & Pépé Le Moko Jeffrey Morgenthaler, and Owner/Bartender of Pouring Ribbons Joaquín Simó. Eight regional competitions will be held in the following cities from January-April 2020: Chicago, Los Angeles, Austin, New York City, Miami, Portland, Phoenix, and Atlanta. Six semifinalists will compete at each regional and one from each will advance to the finals at Half Mile Farm.

Submissions for the contest opened at bartenderoftheyear.liquor.com on September 15, 2019. Guest judges joining for the regional semifinals will be announced throughout the duration of the contest. Ware will also return as a judge for the finals.

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. Ware joined the ranks of esteemed past winners: Harrison Ginsberg from Crown Shy in New York City was named Bartender of the Year in 2018, Nathan O’Neill from the Nomad Bar was named Bartender of the Year in 2017, and Abigail Gullo of Ben Paris in Seattle won the inaugural competition in 2016. Visit the official competition website at http://www.bartenderoftheyear.liquor.com for complete competition details.

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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.