Heaven Hill
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Heaven Hill is a leading distillery based in the self-proclaimed "Bourbon Capital of the World," Bardstown, Kentucky. It is the seventh-largest alcohol supplier in the United States, the second-largest holder of bourbon whiskey in the world, and the only remaining family-owned distillery in Kentucky.
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[edit] History
Heaven Hill was founded shortly after the repeal of Prohibition in 1935 by five brothers of the Shapira family, whose descendants control the company to this day. The company was founded as a bourbon distillery, and for most of its existence has concentrated on its flagship bourbon labels, Evan Williams and Elijah Craig. However, in the past two decades the company has expanded its portfolio significantly, acquiring brands or obtaining import rights for gins, malt whiskey, vodkas, and other drinks.
On November 7th, 1996, Heaven Hill's production plant was almost completely destroyed by fire; the company's warehouses were destroyed, and over 90,000 gallons of alcohol lost. The company survived the next several years through the provision of production capacity by its fellow local bourbon labels, Brown-Forman and Jim Beam, until its purchase and adaptation of the new Heaven Hill Bernheim distillery in Louisville. While fermenting, mashing, and distilling occurs at the new distillery, aging, bottling, and shipping still occur in Bardstown.
Heaven Hill's location in the historical home of bourbon-making, coupled with its status as the only such company still under local ownership, has led it to take a role in curating and advertising bourbon tradition. In 2004, the Bourbon Heritage Center was opened on distillery grounds, featuring historical exhibits and guided tours of the plant. The company also hosts the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and many of the company's own labels are named after famous local distillers.
[edit] Brands
As noted, Heaven Hill's traditional product has been bourbon; however, the company now oversees a broad range of labels. Below is a sampling of the company's most well-known labels:
- Evan Williams Bourbon
- Elijah Craig Bourbon
- Henry McKenna Bourbon
- Kentucky Deluxe bourbon
- Burnett's Gin/Vodka
- Kibeggan Irish Whiskey
- Old Fitzgerald Bourbon
- Hpnotiq liqeur
- Two Fingers Tequila
The company's personal labels are considered low to medium-priced.
[edit] Trivia
Production at Heaven Hill is currently overseen by members of the Beam family directly descended from the founder of another famous local label, Jim Beam.
