FOR RELEASE:  November 15, 2004

IMAGES: See end of release

NEW YORK (N.Y.) - WhiskyFest New York at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square annually draws whiskey/ky lovers from all over the globe and whiskey/ky makers from the world's distilling centers--Kentucky, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and Japan.  One of the highlights of the event is the presentation of Malt Advocate Magazine's "Best of the Year" awards, given by WhiskyFest organizer, and the magazine's publisher and editor, John Hansell.

This year, the "Best Buy Whiskey of the Year" winner was Heaven Hill Distilleries' Elijah Craig 12 Year Old Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the second year in a row that a Bourbon from the Heaven Hill portfolio has captured the honor.  The Bardstown, Kentucky-based distiller's Evan Williams Bourbon brand took the award last year. 

In presenting the honor to Heaven Hill seventh generation Master Distiller Parker Beam, Hansell observed that "Bourbon still remains the best value in the world of whiskey, if not the entire spirits category, and this whiskey is a perfect example why." 

Noting Elijah Craig's qualities at a $17.99 national average retail for a 750ml bottle, Hansell praised Elijah Craig as having "everything a Bourbon enthusiast could ask for: it's fully matured, nicely balanced, and richly flavored, while still showing subtle complexity usually found in Bourbons twice its price."

In accepting the award, Heaven Hill's Master Distiller Parker Beam, who himself was honored as the recipient of the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at last year's WhiskyFest, pointed out that Elijah Craig was introduced by the company in 1986, well before the current trend of high-end, super premium Bourbons and indeed well before the term "Small Batch" even existed.  "We may have been a bit before the times in introducing a Small Batch, 12-year-old, 94-proof Bourbon in 1986," Beam asserted.  "We brought it to market at what we thought was a reasonable cost, and have a taken it up a bit since then, but it frankly never occurred to us to charge the high prices some of our competitors are now bringing Bourbons out at.  That's just never been the way we've worked, whether it's Elijah Craig, Evan Williams or even our Evan Williams Single Barrel--I just don't think you can find better Bourbons, no matter what the price."  

Elijah Craig is available nationally in 1.75 liter and 750ml sizes.  A two-time winner of both the Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Whisky Magazine's "Best of the Best" Premium Bourbon Award, Elijah Craig is one of the most critically acclaimed Bourbons in the world, certainly the most critically acclaimed whiskey at its price.

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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