FOR RELEASE:  September 16, 2004

IMAGES: See directions at end of release

BARDSTOWN (Ky.) - For retailers looking to decorate an account with value-added festive holiday packaging, and for consumers looking for one stop holiday shopping, Heaven Hill Distilleries has all the right answers.

"Across virtually all categories, sales of distilled spirits are at their highest during the seasonal holiday rush.  One way to capitalize on the season is through added-value and impulse purchase gift items," said Kate Latts, Director of Marketing Strategy.  "Heaven Hill's variety of gift sets inspires such sales and boosts retailers' holiday cheer and bottom lines."

Heaven Hill offers a multitude of gift sets with high perceived value, designed to help consumers find products for gift-giving and entertaining and to help retailers adorn their stores, such as:

Evan Williams Single Barrel 1994 Vintage Bourbon

Evan Williams Single Barrel 1994 Vintage Bourbon has the ideal gift set for Bourbon lovers - just in time for the holidays.  By uniting one of the finest Bourbons in the world with the quintessential Bourbon cocktail--the mint julep--Evan Williams Single Barrel has wrapped up tradition and style for the holidays.    The gift set features a silver julep cup with the distinctive Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage logo etched on the front.  This handsome gift and a 750 ml bottle of the Evan Williams Single Barrel 1994 Vintage are packaged together in a striking black box featuring recipes, the story of the brand and the many accolades garnered since its launch.  The Evan Williams Single Barrel 1994 Vintage is also supported with holiday-themed advertising in the Wall Street Journal, Cigar Aficionado and Malt Advocate.

As the world's only vintage-dated Single Barrel Bourbon and a four time "Whiskey of the Year", Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage is a unique present for any gift-giver.  Each year, Heaven Hill Distilleries Master Distillers Parker Beam and his son, Craig, select the finest barrels in the Heaven Hill rickhouses to bottle as the Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon.  The critical acclaim for the esteemed brand began when The Spirit Journal awarded the 1990 vintage the "Whiskey of the Year" - the first American Whiskey to have been awarded such a distinction.  The three subsequent vintages were also given major "Whiskey of the Year" awards from top consumer publications, such as Food & Wine and Malt Advocate. Not to be outdone, this year's 1994 vintage received a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and was designated number 4 in The Spirit Journal 100, the top spirits of 2004.

Isle of Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky

From a remote island in the Scottish Hebrides comes a Single Malt unlike any other. The Isle of Jura distillery defies its "Highland Malt" classification and produces a singular color, nose and taste--among Single Malt Scotches, Isle of Jura is in a category by itself.

For the holidays, malt whisky connoisseurs can enjoy Isle of Jura Single Malt served in the traditional manner.  The Isle of Jura Gift Set includes an etched logoed lowball glass and water carafe with a 750 ml bottle of the Isle of Jura 10 year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky.  The carafe enables Single Malt drinkers to enjoy their Jura the way the islanders always have - neat, with as much or as little water as they prefer.  The exquisitely etched glassware bears the Isle of Jura silhouette and logo.  The striking gift set graphics capture the ethereal feel of the island and the copy describes the history of this distinctive Single Malt Scotch, with a heritage dating back hundreds of years.

Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey

It seems that all things Irish are popular right now, especially Irish Whiskey, which has been the fastest growing spirits category of all over the last five years.  As a way to capture this remarkable growth in general and of the Irish Whiskey category in particular, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey is again issuing their exclusive audio CD of ten Celtic folk songs-- titled "Celtic Legacy"--for holiday 2004.  The music is packaged with a 750 ml bottle of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey from Cooley Distillery in Ireland, the only remaining independently owned Irish Distillery.  The CD is made up of songs that bring to life the true Irish experience that is Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey.  It includes traditional Celtic songs such as "Spancil Hill," "Liam O Raghallaigh," and "Ar Erinn."  The outer carton includes Irish Whiskey cocktail recipes and the background of the historic Kilbeggan brand.

The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey

The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey combines the growing popularity of Irish Whiskey with the established quality of a Single Malt.  Retailers can capitalize on the renaissance of Irish Whiskey during this holiday season with The Tyrconnell's holiday gift set.  The distinctive off-white carton contains two logoed Tyrconnell tasting glasses and a 750 ml bottle of The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey-- the flagship brand from Ireland's own Cooley Distillery.  On the outside of the box, the story of The Tyrconnell, the legendary 100 to 1 shot who won the National Produce Stakes, is retold.  Tyrconnell was a winner of a Silver Medal at this year's San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

O'Mara's Irish Country Cream

From the heart of dairy country, O'Mara's Irish Country Cream, "the richest cream in all of Ireland", offers a gift set with a 1.5 L PET bottle (also available in 750 ml) of O'Mara's and two sturdy cut-glass logoed rocks glasses featuring the O'Mara's crest.  The O'Mara's holiday gift set package is accentuated by a picturesque Irish landscape and includes a description of the quality craftsmanship that goes into each bottle of O'Mara's.  O'Mara's Irish Country Cream is imported from Pat O'Mara and Co. in Abbeyleix, Ireland.  The brand incorporates all qualities of the category leader at a more attractive price point.  In fact, it also medaled at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its exceptional quality and lush flavor.

Copa de Oro Coffee Liqueur

A superb Coffee Liqueur imported from Mexico, Copa De Oro marks the 2004 holiday season with collectible Copa De Oro gift glasses in a holiday gift set.  Each package contains a 750 ml bottle of Copa De Oro Coffee Liqueur and one of two collectible logoed rocks glasses.  Each collectible glass is designed to resemble the art deco-like graphics which adorn the gift box--customers can collect both and have a set for holidays.  Copa De Oro's unique rich flavor is derived from Arabica coffee beans and aromatic spices.  Hot or cold, straight up or mixed according to the recipes on the gift set, Copa De Oro will turn any holiday libation into a "cup of gold."

Vandermint Dutch Chocolate Liqueur

A perennial holiday favorite, Vandermint Dutch Chocolate Liqueur is a rich, creamy indulgence imported from Holland.  For the gift-giving season, the beautiful 750 ml white ceramic bottle of Vandermint is paired with a complementary logoed white ceramic vase.  The vase plays off of the signature sculpted tulip cap on Vandermint's bottle.  The gift offering is packaged in the traditional Dutch delft colors of blue and white and is designed to reflect the exquisite taste and quality of Vandermint Dutch Chocolate Liqueur, a rich blend of Dutch cocoa with a hint of fresh mint.  Served with a variety of foods and drink, Vandermint is at its best when helping to celebrate the holiday season.

Harlequin Orange Liqueur

Harlequin is produced in France from a rich blend of the finest aged cognacs and Mediterranean oranges, renowned for their distinctive flavor.  Harlequin makes an outstanding snifter drink, a terrific alternative to Triple Sec for top shelf margaritas, and an excellent ingredient in food recipes.  Just in time for the traditional holiday cooking and entertaining season, the gift set includes a 750 ml bottle of Harlequin and a ceramic dessert cup adorned with the Harlequin logo.  The cup is perfect for creating one of the signature Harlequin dessert recipes printed on the back of the carton, such as "Harlequin Bread and Butter Pudding" or "Strawberries Romanov".  The graphics of the gift set are sure to stand out on the shelf and provide a decorative, and valuable, inducement to consumers to purchase the brand.

Lazzaroni Amaretto

Consumers can enjoy "Italy in a bottle" for the holidays this year with the first Amaretto ever created in Italy.  Still produced and bottled according to the original recipe, Lazzaroni Amaretto is the product of Paolo and Davide Lazzaroni.  The Lazzaronis first produced their almond-flavored liqueur in 1851 by infusing the famous Lazzaroni Amaretti di Saronno cookie in alcohol.  The result is a sophisticated product with a rich Italian heritage, known as the "Authentic Amaretto from Saronno."

For the holidays, a 750 ml bottle of Lazzaroni Amaretto is packaged in a unique metal tin that reflects the brand's old world heritage and hearkens back to the famous cookie tin, known all over the world.

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 full line of The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Whaler's Rum; Burnett's Gin and Vodka; Dubonnet Aperitif; Scotch Whiskies; Irish Whiskeys; Canadian Whiskies; vodka; gins; rums; tequilas; cognacs; liqueurs; cordials; and dessert wines. Heaven Hill is based in Bardstown, Ky.

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Contact:
Larry Kass
Director of Corporate Communications
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
(502) 348-3921
lkass@heaven-hill.com

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