New joint venture between famous spirits families yields Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals
FOR RELEASE: April 9, 2008
BARDSTOWN, KY–With the ink from their January joint venture deal barely dry, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. and Tierra de Agaves have captured 5 medals at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition for the La Certeza and Lunazul 100% Agave Tequila brands. Included among these is a Double Gold medal for La Certeza Anejo, and perhaps most noteworthy, a Gold Medal for the Lunazul Reposado, which at a $22 average retail cost is priced at parity with top end “mixto” Tequilas that contain only 51% agave. Both the Lunazul Blanco and the La Certeza Blanco bottlings earned Silver Medals, and the La Certeza Reposado captured a Bronze Medal.
Heaven Hill, the nation’s largest independent family-owned distilled spirits supplier, and Tierra de Agaves, the Tequila producer founded by former Jose Cuervo co-owner Francisco Beckmann Vidal, announced a joint venture in January for the Lunazul and La Certeza brands, bringing together two of the last remaining family-owned and operated companies in an industry that was once known for its interrelated, independent players. Combining Heaven Hill’s global distribution network and Tierra de Agave’s vertically integrated production expertise, the joint venture set the stage for the release of Lunazul, a 100% Blue Agave Tequila priced at parity with top-end mixtos, and for the expansion of La Certeza, an award-winning 100% agave Tequila that is positioned to combine a sophisticated image with traditional Mexican authenticity.
Now, just two months after the joint venture was announced, one of the most credible third parties in the distilled spirits world, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, has recognized La Certeza and Lunazul as category leaders. “We knew that the vertical integration of Tierra de Agaves–their ownership of the land, the agaves, and the production facilities–combined with the legacy of the Beckmann family would result in world class sipping Tequilas,” asserted Heaven Hill Brand Manager Reid Hafer. “La Certeza had already won a Gold and Silver Medal at the San Francisco competition last year, so we were not surprised when we were awarded Double Gold on this brand. But for Lunazul, at a $20-22 price point, to win both a Gold and Silver Medal is big news for us and Tequila lovers everywhere. Here, finally, is a critically acclaimed 100% Agave Tequila that is available for everyone to enjoy at a revolutionary price point.”
The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is the first comprehensive, international spirits judging ever held in the United States on an annual basis. Founded in 2000 by Anthony Dias Blue, the Executive Director of the San Francisco International Wine Competition and Carol Seibert, the Managing Director of the San Francisco International Wine Competition, the Spirits Competition continues to grow each year in entrants as well as in stature within the industry. This year 847 spirits were submitted and evaluated, up from 715 in 2007, and six out of the seven continents (only Antarctica was missing) were represented, making it a globally influential spirits competition.
Founded in 1934, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heaven-hill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned marketer and producer of distilled spirits products. Aging in its facilities is the second largest holding of Kentucky whiskey in the world. Heaven Hill’s diversified portfolio includes: The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Whaler’s Rum; Burnett’s Gin and Vodkas; Dubonnet Aperitif; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Água Luca Brazilian Rum Cachaça, Scotch Whiskies; Canadian Whiskies; vodka; gins; rums; tequilas; cognacs; liqueurs; cordials; and dessert wines. Heaven Hill is based in Bardstown, KY.
CONTACT:
Larry Kass
Director of Corporate Communications
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
(502) 413-0220