Shortly after Prohibition ended in the United States, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., was founded in Bardstown, Kentucky by the Shapira family to produce and market Bourbon and premium American Whiskeys. At the time, it was as speculative a new business venture as the dot com start-ups of the 1990's - a company founded with no brands, no available stocks of Whiskey, and at the height of the Great Depression. Today, the company is the largest independent, family-owned and operated distilled spirits supplier in the country. According to industry analysts, Heaven Hill is now the fifth-largest spirits supplier in the United States and second largest holder of aging Bourbon Whiskey in the world with an inventory in excess of 1,600,000 barrels.
In 2014, the company changed its name to Heaven Hill Brands. The name and logo capture the company's evolution from a leader in American Whiskey production - a position it continues to hold today - to the nation's fifth-largest distilled spirits supplier. Over the last three decades Heaven Hill has built on its foundation of American Whiskeys to become a broadly diversified supplier of Whiskeys, Liqueurs, Vodkas, Rums and other spirits. Heaven Hill's portfolio includes the world's second-largest selling Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon alongside dynamic brands including Deep Eddy Vodka, Lunazul Tequila, Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, and category leading brands Burnett's Vodka, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky, Christian Brothers Brandy, Carolan's Irish Cream, and Admiral Nelson's Rums. Above and beyond its core group of products, Heaven Hill Brands is recognized as an innovator with products designed to fill growing segments of the on and off-premise market like Hpnotiq Liqueur, Blackheart Rum, Domaine de Canton and Rittenhouse Rye Whisky.
Since 1935, Heaven Hill has retained its commitment to independence and family-ownership grounded in a mission and core values suited to building for the long term.
Kate Shapira Latts and Allan Latts are named Co-Presidents of Heaven Hill Brands
Heaven Hill breaks ground on Heaven Hill Springs Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky set to be completed in 2024.
Conor O’Driscoll joins Heaven Hill Distillery as Seventh Master Distiller
Heaven Hill Distillery fills barrel number 8,000,000.
Evan Williams Bourbon Experience reaches 1,000th barrel milestone
Heaven Hill Distillery dedicates the largest independent, family-owned Bourbon distillery in American Whiskey
Heaven Hill Master Distiller Emeritus dies after brave battle with ALS
Heaven Hill acquires Carolan's Irish Cream Liqueur and Irish Mist Whiskey Liqueur
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B517 named Whiskey Advocate's Whiskey of the the Year
Heaven Hill Named US Icons of Whisky "Distiller of the Year" by Whisky Magazine.
Heaven Hill acquires Deep Eddy Vodka.
Heaven Hill fills barrel #7,000,000.
On the eve of its 80th year, Heaven Hill unveils a new corporate name, Heaven Hill Brands, and a new logo.
Heaven Hill Acquires Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur.
The Bourbon Industry Returned to Louisville’s Historic Whisky Row with the Opening of Heaven Hill Distilleries’ Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.
Heaven Hill Launches Larceny Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky.
Heaven Hill Announces Plans For The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience On Whisky Row in Downtown Louisville.
Burnett’s Vodka Eclipses 3 Million Cases.
Elijah Craig Named “American Whisky of the Year” by Whisky Advocate Magazine.
Burnett's Vodka named Impact "Hot Brand" for 10th consecutive year.
Heaven Hill Acquires Admiral Nelson's Rum.
Heaven Hill launches HPNOTIQ Harmonie.
Heaven Hill Distilleries named "Distiller of the Year" in 17th annual Malt Advocate whisky awards.
On the 76th anniversary of its founding, Heaven Hill Distilleries fills barrel #6,000,000.
Heaven Hill Distilleries is awarded North American "Distiller of the Year" from Whisky Magazine for the second consecutive year.
Heaven Hill Distilleries is awarded North American "Distiller of the Year" from Whisky Magazine.
The Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center captures North American and Worldwide "Visitor's Attraction of the Year" awards from Whisky Magazine.
Barrel #5,500,000 is filled on November 18th.
Heaven Hill announces joint venture with Tierra de Agaves SA de CV to import and market La Certeza and Lunazul 100% Agave Tequilas.
Heaven Hill Director of Corporate Analysis Andy Shapira joins the family business.
Rittenhouse Rye wins "North American Whisky of the Year" at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Barrel #5,000,000 is filled on February 1st.
Heaven Hill introduces PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur.
Heaven Hill dedicates the Heaven Hill Distilleries Bourbon Heritage Center.
Heaven Hill receives its first prestigious Impact "Hot Brand" award from M. Shanken Publishing for HPNOTIQ.
Heaven Hill acquires HPNOTIQ Liqueur.
Barrel #4,500,000 is filled on December 4.
Current Heaven Hill Director of Marketing Strategy Kate Shapira Latts and her husband, COO Allan Latts, join the family business.
Heaven Hill acquires the historic Bernheim Distillery, The Christian Brothers Brandies, and the Old Fitzgerald Bourbon brand.
Barrel #4,000,000 is filled on January 13.
George Shapira, last surviving member of the five founding brothers, passes away.
Heaven Hill acquires Two Fingers Tequila, and in conjunction with First Ireland Spirits, Ltd., of Abbyleix, Ireland introduces O'Mara's Irish Country Cream.
Heaven Hill introduces Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon, Elijah Craig 18 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon, and Henry McKenna Bottled In Bond Single Barrel Bourbon.
Barrel #3,500,000 is filled on September 7.
Heaven Hill acquires Copa De Oro Coffee Liqueur, Dubonnet Aperitif, Coronet VSQ Brandy, DuBouchett Cordials and Liqueurs.
Heaven Hill acquires Philadelphia Blended Whisky, Cabin Still Bourbon and J. W. Dant Bourbon, among others.
Heaven Hill launches a companion to Burnett's Gin: Burnett's Vodka.
Heaven Hill acquires Burnett's Gin, Henry McKenna Bourbon and Harwood Canadian Whisky.
Barrel #3,000,000 is filled on February 18.
Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Bourbon is introduced, thus becoming the first "Small Batch" Bourbon available.
Parker Beam's son, Craig Beam, joins the family business as Master Distiller.
Barrel #2,500,000 is filled on June 18.
Barrel #2,000,000 is filled on March 24.
Parker Beam is named Heaven Hill Master Distiller, succeeding his father, Earl.
Harry J. Shapira joins Heaven Hill family business as executive vice president.
Current Heaven Hill president Max L. Shapira joins the family business.
Barrel #1,500,000 is filled on December 5.
Barrel #1,000,000 is filled on July 21.
Earl Beam's son, Parker Beam, joins family business as Master Distiller.
Evan Williams Bourbon is introduced and becomes one of the nation's leading Bourbons and Heaven Hill's flagship brand.
Barrel #500,000 is filled on September 30.
Earl Beam joins Heaven Hill from the Jim Beam Company as Master Distiller.
Heaven Hill is shut down by the U.S. Government and mandated to produce alcohol for the war effort.
Barrel #1 is filled on December 13. Bourbon Falls is the company's first label.
"Old Heavenhill Springs" distillery, is founded by a group of Bardstown-area investors and the five Shapira brothers, David, Ed, Gary, George and Mose. The company has 12 employees.
