Heaven Hill Distillery Receives Best Bourbon, Best Small Batch Bourbon and Numerous Medals from 2018 San Francisco Spirits Competition

Awards continue legacy of excellence for Heaven Hill Distillery portfolio

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2018

IMAGES: See end of release

Both Bourbons and Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey also received the Double Gold designation, which the competition defines as “awarded to the very few entries that receive a Gold medal rating by all members of the judging panel; these are among the finest products in the world.” This recognition comes on the heels of a banner award year for Heaven Hill Distillery. At the 2018 WSWA Spirits Tasting Competition Elijah Craig Small Batch was named “Best of Show Bourbon” and Pikesville was named “Best of Show American Rye Whiskey,” both receiving Double Golds. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof received the 2017 Whisky Advocate “Whisky of the Year” award, was named a 2018 Ultimate Spirits Competition Finalist and previously won Best Small Batch Bourbon in the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The World Whiskies Awards named Bernheim Wheat Whiskey, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, and Pikesville Rye their respective category winners for 2017.BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distillery’s tradition of producing award-winning American Whiskey continues with the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition naming Henry McKenna Single Barrel “Best Bourbon” across all categories of Bourbon, as well as “Best Single Barrel Bourbon.” Elijah Craig Small Batch was named “Best Small Batch Bourbon,” placing second overall only to Henry McKenna.

“Heaven Hill Distillery’s pedigree of producing Bourbons and whiskeys with award-winning flavor is a tale of more than 80 years of family passion,” said Heaven Hill President Max L. Shapira.  “Parker Beam’s favorite two words were ‘quality’ and ‘consistency,’ and we are proud to see that tradition carried on through the work of our Master Distiller Denny Potter and all that help bring the product to life. We don’t make whiskey to win awards, but it certainly helps validate all that we do here to make our American Whiskey the best way that we know how.”

The San Francisco Spirits Competition was founded in 2000 and has become a premiere tasting competition grounded in integrity and experience. All spirits are tasted over four days through a controlled blind tasting by expert panelists. No information on producer or price point is given out prior to tastings to ensure each is judged fairly and without bias. For insight on the judging process, Fred Minnick, Wall Street Journal best-selling author, chronicled Henry McKenna’s path to Best Bourbon on his blog here. For more information on the San Francisco Spirits Competition, check out the website at https://sfspiritscomp.com/, as well as the August 2018 issue of the Tasting Panel Magazine.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY: Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.4 million barrels aging in 55 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Best Bourbon, 2017 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, and previously held the titles of 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year, 2016 Whisky Advocate American Whiskey of the Year and 2016 Rye Whiskey of the Year from “Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.” For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

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CONTACT:
Lauren Cherry
Heaven Hill Brands
(502) 413-0217
[email protected]

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