Key West, Florida (October 1, 2014) – Papa’s Pilar®, the super-premium rum inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s spirit of adventure, announced plans today to support U.S. Sailing hopefuls Sarah Newberry and John Casey in their quest to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Newberry/Casey are the top ranked U.S. Olympic Nacra 17 (performance catamaran used for racing) Team, and multiple-time National and North American Champions in a variety of high-performance, high-speed, multihull classes. John is one of the most accomplished multihull sailors in the U.S. as both helm and crew, and Sarah is the top ranked female helm (driver) in the Western Hemisphere.
From October 19-24, the duo will compete in the National Championships in Corpus Christi, Texas. Then, it’s off to Miami for three important events: the U.S. Training Camp (December 16-21), North American Championships (January 17-19, 2015) and ISAF World Cup (January 27-31, 2015). Papa’s Pilar will join Newberry/Casey on their Olympic journey at these and other events, speaking engagements and regattas. As part of the partnership, the team’s boat and uniforms will bear the Papa’s Pilar logo as they compete, travel and explore the world. Along the way, the award-winning rum hopes to inspire the team to live as Hemingway did.
“Papa’s Pilar is proud to support Sarah and John as they embark upon their biggest adventure to date,” said Lindsey Kops, brand director for Papa’s Pilar. “Like our award-winning rum, they are bold, well-traveled, and uniquely American. These tremendous athletes truly embody the brand’s ‘Never A Spectator’ mentality.”
“The way we live and compete is a reflection of our sense of adventure,” said John Casey. “With a deep love of the ocean, we immerse ourselves into each event and challenge on and off the water. Like Hemingway, we don’t spectate…we live.”
PAPA’S PILAR RUM
Papa’s Pilar Rum is meant to rekindle a sense of adventure in us all. “Papa” as Ernest Hemingway was known, was possibly the world’s greatest adventurer. Papa’s Pilar was crafted to be near that same adventure, accompanying rum enthusiasts as they sink their teeth into life. Named for his muse and one true constant, Pilar is the vessel that allowed America’s literary giant to reach beyond the shoreline, feast on life and remind us to never be a spectator.
Papa’s Pilar Dark and Blonde are born of the finest rums and pay homage to Hemingway’s exploits on land and sea, respectively. Each is hand-selected from ports-of-call throughout the Caribbean, Central America and the U.S.A. for their age and distinct character. Once brought to the U.S.A., the Papa’s Pilar team of Master Blenders artfully marry the rums in a unique solera aging and blending process, using American Oak Bourbon barrels, Port Wine casks, and finishing in Spanish Sherry casks.
Papa’s Pilar Dark, which was awarded “a Double Gold” Medal at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, is a bold and complex rum. At 86-proof, it is both pot and column stilled and boasts hand-selected rums up to 24 years old, and a long, velvety finish. Papa’s Pilar Blonde is a crisp and nuanced rum, which includes column stilled aged rums 3-7 years old. At 84-proof, it has a layered and exceptionally smooth finish. Papa’s Pilar Blonde was awarded “Best in Class” White Rum at the 2013 Rum Renaissance Festival in Miami, Florida.
Every aspect of Papa’s Pilar is thoughtful and purposeful. The distinct bottle evokes Papa’s exploits through a form factor reminiscent of an iconic WWII canteen. The etched compass closure reflects that same sense of adventure on either land or sea, and the chain link makes it practical for any excursion. The lion heads represent nobility while the Rooster on the Medallion pays homage to Key West, an island where Hemingway and his boat Pilar once resided and remain celebrated fixtures within the community.
Papa’s Pilar was developed in conjunction with Ernest Hemingway’s estate. The Hemingway family will donate 100 percent of their royalty profits to organizations that embody the likes of adventure, literacy, and conservation, causes dear to Hemingway and his heirs. In 2013, the Family made a $30,000 donation to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), a highly reputable worldwide organization that embodies many of Ernest Hemingway’s core values, from sport and adventure to protection of natural resources.
Papa’s Pilar rums are currently available in 750ml bottles in both on- and off-premise accounts in California, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Washington, DC. The suggested retail price of the Dark and Blonde are $39.99 and $29.99, respectively. Prices may vary by market.
Papa’s Pilar plans to break ground on a new distillery and experience center in 2014 in Key West, Florida. For more information, visit www.papaspilar.com, “like” us on Facebook and follow us on twitter and Instagram @papaspilar. Rum enthusiasts can also search for #papaspilar, #papawouldbeproud, #neveraspectator, #hemingwayday, #livethelegend
About Hemingway Rum Company, LLC
Hemingway Rum Company, LLC is a distilled spirits company based in Florida that’s dedicated to producing super-premium multi-sourced solera blended artisanal rums. The Company’s inaugural offerings are Papa’s Pilar™ Dark and Blonde rums, incepted and crafted by a seasoned team of best-in-class partners. The Company encourages consumers of legal drinking age to Live Courageously and Drink Responsibly and proudly supports local organizations that serve Ernest Hemingway’s adventurous, literary and conservational legacy.
Papa’s Pilar® is a proud member of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).
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