Louisville, Kentucky (September 1, 2015) – Louisville Distilling Co. LLC, producers of the highly celebrated Angel’s Envy super-premium bourbon, will once again Toast the Trees this September (aka National Bourbon Heritage Month), in an effort to fight back against the current bourbon barrel shortage.

The World’s Highest Rated Bourbon is proud to continue its partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant new white oak trees across North America for every picture bourbon enthusiasts take of an Angel’s Envy cocktail – neat, on-the-rocks or in a cocktail. Participants simply post their picture to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #AE4THETREES. Angel’s Envy will plant a white oak tree for every picture posted this September bearing the hashtag.[1]

This year’s program builds on the successful social media initiative last year in which Angel’s Envy donated $10,000 to the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 2,500 white oak trees in the Appalachian Mountains. The donation helped to fund the Pennsylvania state game lands enhancement project, which reclaims the land of old mines by planting new forests.

With a sharp increase of new bourbon enthusiasts over the past several years, demand is higher than ever. Angel’s Envy is committed to helping make sure that there is always enough American white oak for the cooperages and bourbon distilleries of tomorrow to continue to age in new charred oak barrels. Angel’s Envy goes the extra step in finishing in port wine barrels.

“Last year’s ‘trees’ initiative proved to be a great way to engage our fans in a fun and meaningful way via social media,” said Samira Seiller, Managing Director of Louisville Distilling Company. “Toast the Trees helps us to preserve the future of bourbon through planning and sustainability.”

About Angel’s Envy  

The small batch artisan bourbon is the culmination of the late Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson’s storied career. One of the original pioneers of the premium bourbon and whiskey categories in the U.S., Lincoln came out of retirement to create the world’s finest bourbon on his own terms – with a simple desire to enjoy the art of making whiskey. In addition to the flagship bourbon port cask finish, the Company offers Angel’s Envy Cask Strength and Angel’s Envy Rye. Each Expression exhibits a passion for experimenting outside of conventional norms and producing unique whiskey steeped in tradition, but finished with a twist.

• Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels, distilled for an unparalleled smoothness, aged for 4-6 years in American white oak barrels and finished in hand-selected port wine barrels for an incremental 3-6 months. Now available across the U.S., the expression earned a 98/100 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine – the highest-ever rating for a bourbon – and five stars (highest recommendation) from F. Paul Pacult’s Spirit Journal.

• Cask Strength, aged to the perfect level of richness and maturity in the few American white oak barrels that made the cut (and are available each year) and then finished in port wine barrels for up to 18 months. The inaugural releases sold out in weeks. Paul Pacult of Spirit Journal named the Cask Strength “Best Spirit in the World,” giving it five stars and noting it “deserves a sixth rating star.” Available in: CA, FL, IL, KY, MA, NY, TN and TX, for the suggested retail price (750ml bottle) of $169.

• Rye Finished in Rum Barrels, made with 95% rye and 5% malted barley that’s aged for as much as six years in new American, charred oak barrels and finished in hand-selected Caribbean rum casks for up to 18 months. Both The Tasting Panel and Wine Enthusiast magazines awarded Angel’s Envy Rye Finished in Rum Barrels with 94/100 points. Available for the suggested retail price (750ml bottle) of $79.99.

For more information, please visit us at www.angelsenvy.com or on facebook https://www.facebook.com/AngelsEnvyBourbon and twitter https://twitter.com/Angels_Envy (@angels_envy).

The ANGEL’S ENVY™ brand is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

Angel’s Envy™ 2015. Heaven Can Wait. Please Drink Responsibly.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

Founded in 1972, the centennial of the first Arbor Day observance in the 19th century, the Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with over one million members, supporters, and valued partners. The impact we make on our world is accomplished through our conservation and education programs.

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[1] Up to $10,000

Chicago, Ill. (August 20, 2015) – Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine, has hired Jessica “Jesse” Williams as Chef of Appellation, the company’s new wine bar and restaurant, which will be located within Pastoral Andersonville at 5212 North Clark Street, a space scheduled to open early this fall.

Williams will lead menu development for and oversee the kitchen of the new, full-service restaurant. A former Pastoral cheesemonger, she joins Appellation from Birchwood Kitchen in Wicker Park, where she served as Head Chef for nearly four years. Her previous culinary experience includes Lula Café, where she trained under Jason Hammel; Floriole Bakery; and Uncommon Ground. She also attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

Pastoral’s newest culinary adventure, Appellation, is inspired by the many locations from which its ingredients and products are sourced. A common term used to identify where wine, cheese and other kinds of food are produced, the word “appellation” also reflects a “sense of place.” Pastoral finds the finest cheeses, wines, olive oils and other products from around the world and around the block. Like Pastoral’s retail stores and first restaurant location, Bar Pastoral, which opened in 2012, Appellation draws together those places where food and wine come together naturally, and brings to Chicagoans that sense of place for the palate.

The new hybrid retail and 75-seat wine bar and restaurant created by Chicago’s hometown cheese shop since 2004, is Pastoral’s largest project to-date. The 3,800 square foot space will feature a full-service kitchen and offer an exciting extension of the European-inspired neighborhood concept. The larger space will be arranged into sections to allow for an intimate environment with attentive and thoughtful service, and afford Appellation the ability to broaden Pastoral’s offerings. Diners can expect a consistent culinary vision and inspiration across both of the company’s concepts, bringing together wine, craft beer, and craft cocktails designed to pair perfectly with the cheese, charcuterie and dinner cuisine. Mark Wrobel, who heads up Pastoral’s beverage program, will work closely with Chef Williams to create a well-paired synergy. The venue will also continue to do what Pastoral does best – educate and make shopping for and enjoying artisan food and wine enlightening, approachable, fun and delicious.

“Jesse’s style of cooking perfectly aligns with Pastoral’s culinary vision,” said Greg O’Neill, Pastoral co-owner/co-founder, along with Ken Miller. “She believes in celebrating the origins of the food we serve and the families and farmers who produce them. Her approach is our approach; highest quality seasonal ingredients prepared simply yet wonderfully to highlight their flavors. As with Bar Pastoral, Appellation will serve as an extension of the Pastoral retail store, presenting dinner cuisine that highlights artisan cheese, charcuterie, bread, and pairs them with wine, craft beer and cocktails.”

“I’m excited to return to work with the passionate team at Pastoral in this new role as Chef of Appellation,” said Williams. “My approach to the menu is simple and straight-forward, focusing on rustic, seasonally driven and delicious dishes where I let the ingredients – and, of course, the cheese – do the talking.”

Additional details about Appellation and the new Pastoral Andersonville location will be announced in the coming months. Pastoral’s current retail locations allow patrons to purchase high quality, handcrafted products, including cut-to-order domestic and international specialty cheeses, freshly baked breads, small production wines, gourmet sandwiches, custom gift baskets and artisan catering. They include: 2945 North Broadway; 53 East Lake Street; and Chicago French Market, 131 North Clinton Street. In 2012, the Company also opened Bar Pastoral, an award winning, Michelin Guide recommended cheese & wine bistro located at 2947 North Broadway.

For more information about Pastoral, visit pastoralartisan.com

“Like” Pastoral on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PastoralArtisan and follow the Company on Twitter and Instagram @pastoralchicago.

About Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine

Founded in 2004, Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine is a trio of national award-winning neighborhood cheese, specialty food and wine shops offering the highest quality, cut-to-order domestic and international specialty cheeses, freshly baked breads, perfectly chosen accompaniments and small production wines, along with hand-crafted, cheese-loving beers and spirits. Pastoral also offers custom gift collections, gourmet sandwiches and salads, picnics and catering. Pastoral is committed to providing the highest level of service and education for customers, striving to make shopping for and consuming artisan goods enlightening, approachable, fun and delicious. Pastoral welcomes customers at three Chicago store locations, and ships nationwide at www.pastoralartisan.com. Pastoral was named “Outstanding Retailer of the Year” in 2007 and 2012 by the Specialty Food Association. In 2012, the Company opened Bar Pastoral, an award-winning, Michelin Guide recommended cheese & wine bistro serving shareable fare, in a cozy, inviting neighborhood setting. Early this fall, Pastoral will open its newest restaurant and wine bar, named Appellation, and retail location, in Chicago’s vibrant Andersonville neighborhood.

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Chicago, Ill. – (August 12, 2015) – Argo Tea®, one of the fastest-growing premium tea brands in the CPG space, will begin rolling out new, category-defining Teappuccino® tea-based dairy beverages in select leading retailers this fall across the country.

Decadent in taste, but balanced in nutrition, these unique bottled loose leaf tea infusions feature protein-packed milk and real fruits, flowers, spices and herbs, which deliver robust flavors. The three new shelf-stable Teappuccino varieties offer consumers an all-natural beverage, with real ingredients and smart calories:

• Chai – fresh-brewed Assam black tea blended with spicy ginger, cinnamon and sweet vanilla (90 calories per serving)
• Earl Grey Vanilla Crème – classic black tea infused with bergamot and sweet vanilla (80 calories per serving)
• Green Tea Strawberry Crème – antioxidant-rich Japanese green tea and sweet strawberries with a hint of vanilla (100 calories per serving)

Teappuccino is the latest innovation from Argo Tea’s creative mixologists and intelligent nutritionists who recognize consumer demand for healthy drinks with real ingredients. Argo Tea proudly sources the best ingredients from around the world, including handpicked, loose-leaf teas, to create a variety of innovative signature beverages that taste great – and are good for you. The new Teappuccino flavors, which are convenient and perfect for on–the-go, will be available in 12 fl oz. bottles for a suggested retail price of $2.99.

In 2010, Argo Tea launched a line of ready to drink Signature Teas, which are now sold in more than 20,000 retail outlets, making it one of the largest independent bottled tea brands. Available in great retail chains such as Whole Foods, 7-Eleven, Walgreens and Kroger, the line includes 10 delicious flavors in both sweetened and unsweetened varieties, the latter which contain zero calories and no sugar. Two flavors from the line – Green Tea Ginger Twist and Mojitea – received first place recognition as the best ready to drink iced teas in the 2014 North American Tea Championship.

“Argo Tea is committed to delivering innovative new products like Teappuccino that meet consumer demand for great tasting healthy beverages,” said Arsen Avakian, founder and CEO of Argo Tea. “With a growing presence in retail stores and in new Argo Tea cafés, we’ve quickly become a one-stop shop – offering tea connoisseurs ready to drink options, loose leaf and sachets – that’s poised for continued success, both domestically and abroad.”

About Argo Tea

Since brewing its first cup of tea in 2003, Argo Tea has quickly become a household name and leading multi-channel, branded beverage company. Its ready-to-drink teas in Argo Tea’s iconic bottles are now available in over 20,000 outlets nationwide through partnerships with premier retailers that value its brand-defining commitment to quality, sustainability and healthy living. With nearly 50 Argo Tea cafés globally, it has established a brand building marketing platform that serves over 10 million cups of tea annually fueling its innovation. Argo Tea’s menu includes all natural-tea based signature drinks, over thirty varieties of loose-leaf teas, organic coffee, fresh-baked pastries, specialty foods, and a selection of tea ware and accessories.

For more information, please visit www.argotea.com and follow the brand on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/argotea as well as Twitter and Instagram @argotea

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