Heaven Hill Dedicates Facility
Bourbon distilled once again at historic Louisville site

“In an era when multi-national concerns dominate the way things are done,” said Max Shapira, president of Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc., “we continue, much the same as we did when the company was founded in 1935. Heaven Hill is family-owned and we are fiercely independent.”

Shapira made the remarks at the Sept. 14 dedication of the company’s historic Bernheim Distillery. The ceremony, attended by a mix of local dignitaries, business people and spirits industry journalists and representatives, follows the company’s April 1999 acquisition of the facility. The ceremony took place on the site of Kentucky’s first two government-certified Distilled Spirits Plants, the legendary Astor and Belmont Distilleries. The event occurred during National Bourbon Month and coincided with the start of Bardstown’s Kentucky Bourbon Festival.

“What you’re seeing unfold today is a celebration and recognition of the beginning of a very important chapter in the history of Heaven Hill,” Shapira said. “I feel strongly that our decision to acquire the assets of this facility is not only among the best decisions we’ve ever made, but also goes a long way toward reaffirming our status as an independent company.

“The Bernheim Production Facility is quickly becoming an integral part of our daily operations and is a cornerstone in the future success of our company. It is gratifying to know that in a locale known for Bourbon distilling since the mid-1850s, we are blending together the latest, most advanced equipment with the time-honored traditions for making Bourbon whiskey,” explained Shapira, noting that the Bernheim facility was completely rebuilt in 1992. It will serve as the sole location from which all of Heaven Hill’s family of Bourbons will be produced, including its most recent acquisition, the Old Fitzgerald line of “wheated” Bourbons.

The company’s line of Bourbon products includes Evan Williams, the second largest-selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey in the U.S.; Elijah Craig 12-year-old Small Batch Bourbon; Fighting Cock Bourbon; the Heaven Hill Bourbon brand; and three single-barrel Bourbons – Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old, Henry McKenna 10-Year-Old and Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage.

Shapira said Heaven Hill has been modifying and improving the Bernheim facility, combining methods – both past and present – in an effort to ensure that the quality and award-winning taste consumers have come to expect stays the same.

These modifications, along with the production and aging of all of Heaven Hill’s Bourbons, continue under the supervision of seventh-generation Master Distiller Parker Beam. Together with his son Craig, the two men are committed to “producing the finest Bourbon ... using our family’s formula and proprietary yeast , as well as the continuous method of distilling Heaven Hills is famous for,” said Parker Beam.

Shapira indicated it is a good time to be in the Bourbon business.

“Consumers are interested in premium products, where they can discuss the heritage; they want to know where it comes from,” he said, adding that Bourbon is the only true American spirit and is increasing in popularity all around the world, in places as diverse as the Czech Republic and Thailand.

Claude Hammond is editorial director of The Lane Report.
claudehammond@lanereport.com

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