Kentucky-based Heaven Hill Brands has opened its new US$19 million visitor centre with a capacity for 900 whiskey lovers.

The experience offers a range of activities, from a multi-sensory storytelling of the history of Bourbon through an immersive ‘distillery theatre’, to a tasting room and ‘you do Bourbon’ lab. The new space also has a bar and kitchen.

The expansion, renovation and renaming of the visitor centre are part of the whiskey maker’s investment in Bardstown. Since 2018, Heaven Hill, which produces the whiskeys Elijah Craig and Evan Williams, has undertaken a US$125m multi-year investment plan to expand its production capacity and drive tourism.

The first phase of renovation was unveiled in 2019, featuring three tasting rooms overlooking Bardstown.

Heaven Hill president, Max L Shapira, said: “In the heart of Bourbon country, we welcome fans back to experience America’s native spirit, immerse themselves in the long history of Heaven Hill, and learn about the award-winning portfolio of storied brands now told on these walls.

“The Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience is an innovative, state-of-the-art tourism model, grounded in history, and developed to entice fans for generations to come.”

The grand opening of the Bourbon experience was attended by Shapira and Kentucky governor Andy Beshear.

“I am thrilled to be here to congratulate the Shapira family and the Heaven Hill team on another successful project investing millions in Kentucky and our people,” said Beshear.

“As we emerge from this pandemic with our economy booming, we are announcing more jobs and investment in the commonwealth every week, and the Bourbon industry is no exception.

“This state-of-the-art visitor centre will give people one more great reason to visit Kentucky and experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, creating even more jobs and opportunity.”

For more information, go to heavenhilldistillery.com

The iconic Italian red bitter brand Campari is launching its ‘We Are Cinema’ campaign, coinciding with its partnership with the Festival de Canne.

Celebrating its third year as an official partner at Canne,  Campari has been inspired by its role as a curator of aperitivo occasions to explore human stories to inspire some of the world’s greatest cinema.

Celebrating real-life moments that can become remarkable stories, viewers of the new campaign can expect a melody of cinematic moments artistically brought to life and told through the vivid red lens of Campari’s creativity.

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As both the festival and campaign unfurl, Campari will again host and promote a series of events from the Campari Lounge in the Palais de Festival, overlooking the famous red carpet.

“We are delighted to return to Festival de Cannes, this year bringing our passion for cinema and stories through our global We Are Cinema campaign to the iconic Festival setting,” said Julka Villa, Campari Group Head of Marketing.

“With a strong and enduring legacy in the cinema world, creativity and passion remain at the heart of everything we do. This year, we look forward to continuing to bring this to our audience through a program of remarkable moments throughout the Festival.“

This year, the brand also introduces Hyde Beach by Campari, a new iconic space on Boulevard de Croisette, where stars and guests will be welcomed, and events hosted throughout the festival.

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Amongst their exciting program, Campari is honoured to announce both new and returning collaborations:

• Cole Walliser will be based in the Campari Lounge, interviewing guests and celebrities. The director and celebrity host, famous for the behind-the-scenes GlamBOT clips, will eagerly tune into his entertaining dispatches covering the red-carpet action from the lounge.
• Campari is also rejoining forces with The Hollywood Reporter, recording a special festival edition of the Awards Chatter podcast with Kevin Costner, director, writer, producer, and star of Horizon: An American Saga. Costner will join THR’s Executive Editor of Awards, Scott Feinberg, live to talk about his return to the big screen Western, premiering at this year’s Festival de Cannes.
• One of the most anticipated events is the Official Cannes After Party for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. During the festival, Campari will host this star-studded event at Hyde Beach by Campari to celebrate the latest instalment of this epic franchise.
• Campari will also partner for the third year with Breaking Through The Lens, a non-profit organisation which empowers women in film by facilitating access to vital funding. Together, they will host the ‘Crossing Borders’ gala to celebrate women transcending cultural borders. The evening will include a panel discussion with renowned actress Diane Kruger, who will be joined by other industry figures – including Campari Group Head of Marketing Julka Villa – to share their unique experiences.

More than an aperitif, Campari’s unmistakable characteristics, the brand has long been a source of passionate inspiration. Since its birth, Campari has always been at the forefront of cocktail culture, inspiring passion in bartenders worldwide.

With Camparino in Galleria, master mixologists serving up their famed cocktails – including Negroni and Campari Spritz – the Campari Lounge and Hyde Beach by Campari are the perfect places to raise a toast to inspiring stories and the talent behind them.

Please follow Campari’s social media channels for further information @campariofficial @CampariUSA.

Venezuela Rum brand Santa Teresa 1796 has been named as the “Rum of the Year” at the Berlin International Spirits Competition, one of the most respected spirits competitions in Europe. Outperforming a field of 80, Santa Teresa was awarded a gold medal after receiving a score of 95 points.

“We feel great pride and honour that our exceptional rum has one more success under its belt,” said Andrés Chumaceiro, Director of Operations at Santa Teresa. “Santa Teresa 1796 flagship, not just for its awards, but because, wherever there is a bottle of this rum, anyone can feel represented in it because it symbolises second chances.”

The victory complements two other recent accolades received by the rum: the Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, where Santa Teresa 1796 triumphed in the Best of Division Rum category, and the Denver International Spirit Competition, where the rum was also awarded a gold medal.

This brings the Solera rum’s gold medal count to 58, with over 100 medals in total.

“These 58 gold medals are a testament to the rum artisans,” continued Chumaceiro. “Our Maestors Roneros, who, with their knowledge and unmatched palate, managed to create Santa Teresa 1796; from each of our master coopers to each of the masters of rugby, who teach us by their example of the power to transform.”

Santa Teresa is the first rum producer in Venezuela, with over 227 years of tradition and expertise. It can be found in over 70 countries, proudly displaying the Denominación de Origen Controlado Ron de Venezuela.

For more information, go to santateresarum.com

Independent whisky bottler Boutique-y has announced the cocktail competition you have all been waiting for.

Pitting industry professionals against amateurs, bartenders against the off-trade, and influencers against at-home mixologists—the brand has launched the ultimate cocktail competition, Boutique-y Vs The World.

A first for the brand, the competition is open to ALL (18+, of course! who reside in the UK). The winner will receive a true ‘money can’t buy’ prize—a bottle of their very own whisky.

Working alongside Boutique-y’s Head of Whiskey Sam Simmons, the winner will participate in everything from choosing the cask to helping to design the label.

They will then receive bottle number one of their own TBWC limited edition whisky, which will be available for sale on Master of Malt. And we don’t need to tell you about the bragging rights!

So what do you need to do? Create the ultimate Boutique-y cocktail.

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Each entrant will use the celebrated Canadian Corn Core Whiskey as one of five ingredients. These five ingredients need to be inspired by the word MOOSE (five letters). The Moose, of course, can be found on the distinctive red label of That Boutique-y Whisky Company’s Canadian Corn Whiskey.

Points will be judiciously awarded for the serving itself, its drinkability, the creativity of the ingredients used, the garnish, the name and the story behind it.

No additional points will be awarded for Canadian fancy dress, but you’ll be forever a legend in the eyes of the team at That Boutique-y Whisky Company.

Divided into UK regions, the shortlisted entrants will be invited to make their cocktails in live heats (commencing on the 17th of June) across FOUR NIGHTS OF FUN. Expect celebrations, drinking some tasty whisky, and, importantly, making new friends.

Winners of these heats will be invited to ‘the Canada of the British Isles’, Manchester! (Yes, they know, but nobody calls it that.)

The Final will be held in Manchester on the 4th of July, purely to stick forks up to Canada’s neighbours across the Southern border because that’s how they do things at Boutique-y HQ.

“So, how do I enter?” Well, it’s a cunningly simple entry process! Simply visit www.thatboutiqueywhiskycompany.com for all the information and to enter your winning cocktail by 20th May 2024.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and his premium, small-batch tequila, Teremana, are returning their annual “Guac on The Rock” initiative, but this year, running the campaign for the entire month of May.

In it’s fourth year, the campaign allows fans to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with friends and family while continuing to support their local restaurants and enjoying the classic combination of tequila and guacamole.

This year, the brand will reimburse restaurant goers for their guac when they purchase any Teremana® Tequila cocktail with an order of guacamole from May 1st through May 31st.

“For Cinco de Mayo and my birthday this year, I’m happy that the Guac will be on the Rock for a full month,” says Teremana® Tequila Founder, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

“It’s a testament to Teremana’s incredible success that we can give back to our tremendous bars and restaurants and our loyal fans for a fourth year in a row, in an even bigger way than before. I can’t wait to see more people come together to support our nation’s hospitality workers and say thank you by raising a Teremana® Toast and participating in Guac on the Rock!”

The annual “Guac On The Rock” tradition is part of Teremana Tequila’s efforts to Share the Mana. Mana is at the heart of the brand, propelling it to bring good energy, bring people together, and do the right thing.

Consumers 21 and over who purchase a Teremana cocktail with an order of guacamole will be reimbursed up to $10.

To learn more about the initiative, and to find restaurants and bars that carry Teremana, head to guacontherock.com.