Heaven Hill Brands Launches Super-Premium Pikesville Rye

6-Year-Old, 110-Proof Spirit Salutes Traditional American Straight Rye Whiskey

FOR RELEASE: For Immediate Release

Bardstown, Ky.—Heaven Hill Brands, now in its third generation of family ownership and celebrating 80 years of crafting whiskey and curating all-American spirits brands, today announces the launch of a super-premium spirit, Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey. At 6 years old and 110 proof, this new expression of Pikesville Rye is produced at Heaven Hill’s historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville and aged in its premier rickhouses in Bardstown, Ky. With a suggested retail price of $49.99 for a 750ml bottle, it will roll out in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles in Summer 2015, with allocated national distribution to follow in the Fall.

During previews, Pikesville Rye earned spirits industry acclaim, including a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 95 Points at F. Paul Pacult’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Distilled from at least 51 percent rye, with corn and malted barley as the “small” grains, Pikeville Rye has an appealing pale copper color, reflecting its extra aging. Its aroma evokes earthy cocoa notes with oaky smoke underneath. On the palate, Pikesville Rye is dry and spicy, with hints of honeyed rye and cloves. Soft vanilla and baking spices round out the finish.

“Heaven Hill has a tradition of keeping storied brands alive,” says Max L. Shapira, President, Heaven Hill Brands, and second-generation family member. “We purchased the Pikesville brand as the Maryland Rye industry was disappearing and have distilled it for decades for the local market. As consumers have fallen in love with Straight Bourbon Whiskey, they have naturally expanded their passion to Rye. We wanted to update this authentic artifact of Americana for contemporary palates and offer this super-premium expression nationally.”

This marks the first major new product launch since Denny Potter was named Heaven Hill Brand’s Co-Master Distiller. Potter carefully selected each extra-aged barrel and determined the spirit’s ideal proof level.

“Pikesville Rye is the text book example of the traditional three-grain American Straight Rye Whiskey that laid the foundation for Rye’s current renaissance,” says Potter. “To set it apart from other Ryes, I selected barrels at a minimum of 6 years old from high storage and bottled it at a proof that allows the most character from the barrel to come through without overpowering the spicy grain notes. It will appeal to American Whiskey connoisseurs seeking a robust and flavorful sip and to today’s bartending community, as it mixes well in classic cocktails.”

With its Maryland roots dating back to 1895, Pikesville Rye returned after Prohibition, surviving ownership changes and the decline of the Maryland Rye whiskey industry. With Maryland production coming to a close in the 1980s, Pikesville Rye was kept alive by Heaven Hill Brands, which has produced the spirit in Kentucky ever since. It is a prominent brand in Maryland and is served throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area. The traditional 80-proof, 3-year-old Pikesville Rye will remain in production and will continue to be distributed in Maryland.

About Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey: Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey is a 6-year-old, 110-proof super-premium spirit that salutes a historic Maryland mark dating back to 1895. It is distilled by Heaven Hill Brands at the company’s historic Bernheim Distillery in Louisville and aged in its premier rickhouses in Bardstown, Ky. Co-Master Distiller Denny Potter carefully selected each extra-aged barrel and determined the spirit’s ideal proof level. With its mashbill of at least 51 percent rye, with corn and malted barley as the “small” grains, Pikesville Rye embraces the tradition of American Straight Rye Whiskey that set the stage for Rye’s current renaissance. For more information, please visit www.pikesvillerye.com.

About Heaven Hill Brands: Founded in 1935, Bardstown, Ky.-based Heaven Hill Brands 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; 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; Cinerator Hot Cinnamon Flavored Whiskey and Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey. For more information, please visit www.heavenhill.com.

CONTACT:
Larry Kass
Director of Trade Relations
Heaven Hill Brands
(502) 413-0220
[email protected]