America's Largest Independent Family-Owned Distiller Recognized As "Model of Balance" In Today's Tumultuous Spirits Industry

FOR RELEASE: October 21, 2004

BARDSTOWN, KY-- Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. was named "Distiller of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, earning one of the top epicurean publication's ten annual Wine Star Awards for 2004.

The Wine Star Awards recognize excellence in the wine and spirits industry, and will be featured in both the magazine's Special Awards issue being published in November and at the gala black tie dinner and awards ceremony held in New York in January at the Astor Hall of the New York Public Library.

There were fifty nominees for the ten award categories this year, ranging from "Winemaker of the Year" to "Importer of the Year" to "Retailer of the Year."  In awarding Bardstown, Kentucky-based Heaven Hill "Distiller of the Year", Wine Enthusiast noted that "...though Bourbon is Heaven Hill's cornerstone spirit, this versatile company also produces, markets and imports scores of other critically-acclaimed beverages.  It is a family-run company, which draws on the vision of three dedicated families: the Shapiras, Homels and Beams.  These families pride themselves on the close relationships they maintain with their wholesalers, retailers and distributors.  The company is a model of balance between crucial elements: size, marketing goals, portfolio content and corporate management style."

Heaven Hill president Max L. Shapira stated that "even though we don't establish objectives or goals per se to win awards, it is indeed great praise and quite an honor to be recognized by such an esteemed publication for the time and effort that so many people have put in over so many years.  We will humbly accept this honor and go right back to doing the things that brought us this far--crafting our products, servicing our customers, and aggressively supporting our portfolio of brands."

Wine Enthusiast noted "this year's recipients come from different countries and different cultures, some centuries old, and some barely 50 years old, but they have an enormous amount in common: their commitment to spreading knowledge, their boundless curiosity, and their passion about wine, spirits and fine dining...their dedication inspires all of us--trade, press, and of course, consumers."

This is the fifth annual Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards, the first being instituted in 2001 to honor achievements for the year 2000.  Last year's winners were Jonathan Newman, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, Man of the Year; Joseph Phelps, Winery of the Year-America; Etienne Guigal, Winery of the Year-Europe; Inniskillin (Canada), Winery of the Year-New World; Alvaro Palacios (Spain), Winemaker of the Year; Southern Italy, Wine Region of the Year; Chivas Brothers, Distiller of the Year; W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Importer of the Year, and COSTCO, Retailer of the Year. The Lifetime Achievement Award honored Ernest & Julio Gallo.

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. Originally known as a distiller of Kentucky Bourbons and American whiskeys, Heaven Hill has in recent years aggressively expanded its portfolio of brands through internal product development, agency relationships and acquisitions.  Aging in its facilities is the second largest holding of Kentucky whiskey in the world. Heaven Hill's diversified portfolio now includes: Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; the full line of The Christian Brothers Brandies; 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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CONTACTS:
Larry Kass
Director of Corporate Communications
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
(502) 348-3921
lkass@heaven-hill.com

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