Category: Press Releases

Heaven Hill Brands, Liquor.com announce last finalist for 2018 “Bartender of the Year”

Harrison Ginsberg crafts unforgettable experiences as an ode to his grandfather. Announced today as the Heaven Hill Brands and Liquor.com New York finalist for the 2018 Bartender of the Year Competition, Ginsberg won first place, $1,000 and a trip to the finals at The Lodge on Sea Island, Ga.

“In 1947 Sid Sinetar, my grandfather, opened his first movie theater in Long Beach, Long Island,” said Ginsberg, bartender at The Dead Rabbit New York. “My grandfather didn’t teach me hospitality, he showed me; he taught me humility, patience, respect, but most of all he showed me the personal joy in looking after people and providing them with an unforgettable experience. The Double Feature is an ode to my grandfather and the man that he made me, a testament to the legacy of hospitality.”

Leanne Favre of Brooklyn won second place and $500. Six semifinalists competed regionally in New York on Sunday, April 29 at The Shanty. 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 Leuca where Dave Arnold, author of Liquid Intelligence: The Art & Science of the Perfect Cocktail, and Don Lee, designer and educator at Cocktail Kingdom, led a discussion on collaborating with colleagues, the relationship between sugars and acids, and the science of 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, Co-Founder of New York Distilling Company Allen Katz, and Nathan O’Neill, the 2017 Heaven Hill Bartender of the Year winner and Head Bartender at Nomad Bar, 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.

Double Feature – Inspired by the concept of family
Crafted by Harrison Ginsburg

Ingredients:

Rittenhouse Rye (1.5 ounce(s))
Spanish Brandy (.5 ounce(s))
Cold Brew Coffee Syrup 2:1 (.25 ounce(s))
Barolo Chinato (.25 ounce(s))
Walnut Liqueur (6 dash(es))
Absinthe (1 dash(es))
Angostura Bitters (1 dash(es)) Stirred, and strained over cube.
Add all ingredients into a mixing tin/Glass. Stir cocktail 40 rotations until cold and properly diluted. Strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass with block ice. Garnish with a twist of orange. Serve.

Heaven Hill Distillery’s Evan Williams Bourbon, the second-largest selling Bourbon in the world, is partnering with the Louisville Bats as a 2018-2019 Official Team Sponsor. As a Kentucky-owned brand, Evan Williams is joining the Bats to create new fan experiences for a homerun year at Louisville Slugger Field, including a special “Cheers to Bourbon Night.”

As the Official Bourbon of the Louisville Bats, Evan Williams will be featured in-stadium back bars, along with a feature concession stand at each home game. Fans will also find Evan Williams throughout the stadium with special activations, video board signage and drink specials. The sponsorship will be supported through regional online and broadcast media, including features in game week newsletters, game-day program ads, social media, and online at www.batsbaseball.com.

On May 26, the Bats will change their official team name, logo and jerseys for the night to play as the Louisville Mashers. As Official Sponsor of this special game night, Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Artisanal Distiller Jodie Filiatreau will throw the first pitch and 1,000 Evan Williams Bourbon and Bats co-branded Bourbon glasses will be given away to fans 21 and older. A Bourbon tasting area will be set up for fans to sample Heaven Hill Distillery products, as well as interact with Bourbon trivia throughout the night on the video board. For more information regarding the Bourbon Appreciation Night, including a competition for a Bourbon and Bats giveaway prize, fans can visit www.louisvillemashers.com. Louisville Mashers jerseys will be auctioned off beginning May 30 with proceeds benefitting the Kentucky chapter of the ALS Association.

“We’re excited to join the home team and sponsor the Louisville Bats this season, bringing together America’s favorite past time and native spirit,” said Filiatreau. “Whether your team rocks or team neat, Evan Williams has a Bourbon done right for everyone.”

Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon is the #2-selling Bourbon in the world. The brand is among the leaders in the rapidly growing American Whiskey segment. For the past five years, Evan Williams has been recognized by Beverage Information Group and Impact for sales growth. Evan Williams is a proud sponsor of Major League Baseball and the World Series. 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 as an official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Mony Bunni blends flavors from her Middle Eastern heritage to craft a masterful cocktail. Announced today as the Heaven Hill Brands and Liquor.com Chicago finalist for the 2018 Bartender of the Year Competition, Bunni won first place, $1,000 and a trip to the finals at The Lodge on Sea Island, Ga.

“My parents are both first generation Arab-Americans and I grew up surrounded by Middle Eastern flavors, and try to incorporate them into my cocktails whenever I can,” said Bunni, bartender at Prairie School. “Ras el Hanout is a spice blend from Northern Africa that typically includes cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, clove, fenugreek, coriander, and ginger. The deep savoriness of the Ras el Hanout, mixes beautifully with the caraway notes of the Rittenhouse, the raisin notes of the Sherry, and the thyme and sarsaparilla notes in the amaro.”

Ryan Arvin of Detroit won second place and $500. Six semifinalists competed regionally in Chicago on Sunday, April 15 at Sportsman’s Club. 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 Parachute where Dave Arnold, author of Liquid Intelligence: The Art & Science of the Perfect Cocktail, 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 Beverage Director of the Ace Hotel Chicago Caitlin Laman 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.

Elective Amnesia – Inspired by the concept of family
Crafted by Mony Bunni

Ingredients:

Rittenhouse Rye (1.5 ounce(s))
Lustau PX Sherry (1 ounce(s))
Brovo Amaro #14 (.5 ounce(s))
Ras el Hanout Bitters (3 dash(es))
Stirred, and strained over cube.

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:

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Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

 

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:

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Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

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

 

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:

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Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
lcherry@heavenhill.com

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