America’s Largest New Distillery Also Breaks Ground on Expansion Project in Response to Massive Demand for Custom, Authentic, Kentucky Whiskey Products

Bardstown, KY (January 30, 2017) – The Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBCo) announced today that Western Spirits Beverage Company, the makers of Bird Dog Whiskey, Lexington Bourbon and Calumet Farm Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, is the first to announce that it has joined BBCo’s Collaborative Distilling Program. Western Spirits will work together with BBCo to produce custom whiskey for its brand portfolio. The partners will begin their first distillation this month.

The partnership affords Western Spirits the opportunity to work with Bourbon Hall of Fame Master Distiller Steve Nally and The Bardstown Bourbon Company’s first-class distilling team to produce their high-quality bourbon for many years to come.

“We are so excited about the opportunity to partner with the great team at The Bardstown Bourbon Company,” said Tim Livesay, President of Western Spirits. “With their vision for a Napa Valley type experience, a state-of-the-art whiskey distillery and Steve Nally’s hall-of-fame bourbon making experience, we are enthusiastic about making The Bardstown Bourbon Company the home of Western Spirits’ bourbon portfolio.”

“Western Spirits has an exciting and growing portfolio of brands,“ said David Mandell, CEO of Bardstown Bourbon Company. “We are eager to begin producing fantastic bourbon for Western Spirits Beverage Company.”

Due to the success of its sold out Collaborative Distilling Program, The Bardstown Bourbon Company recently broke ground on a distillery expansion project. The distillery’s current 1.5 million proof gallon capacity will be expanded to 3 million proof gallons, which will enable BBCo to provide more capacity for current customers as well as take on new customers in 3^rd quarter 2017. BBCo can ultimately be expanded to more than 6 million proof gallons within the current design, by adding additional equipment.

The Bardstown Bourbon Company plans to open its visitors and events center to the public by Summer 2017. The center will contain one of the largest collections of whiskey in the state of Kentucky. The state-of-the-art whiskey distillery will also include a transparent educational experience and high-end tours and tastings, event space, and eventually, a restaurant and boutique hotel.

ABOUT THE BARDSTOWN BOURBON COMPANY

The Bardstown Bourbon Company is a celebration of the art of making whiskey. No secrets, mythical stories, or fabricated legends, the Bardstown Bourbon Company celebrates the craft of making great whiskey and the Bardstown community that brings bourbon to the world. BBCo started commercial production in September 2016 and is producing whiskey, bourbon, and rye for its own brands as well as for its Collaborative Distilling Program partners.

Located in the “Bourbon Capital of the World,” BBCo’s $25 million destination experience includes a first-of-its-kind Napa Valley style campus featuring a state-of-the-art whiskey distillery, unique and transparent educational experience, integrated visitors center, event space, whiskey library and bar, and eventually a restaurant and boutique hotel.

To learn more about The Bardstown Bourbon Company visit:

www.bardstownbourbon.com

www.facebook.com/bardstownbourboncompany

Tweets by btownbourbon

ABOUT WESTERN SPIRITS BEVERAGE COMPANY

Established in 2008, Western Spirits Beverage Company was founded to focus on a vision to build unique, innovative spirits brands. From unprecedented infusions to creating standout brands, Western Spirits prides itself on its commitment to create great tasting spirits in the ever-changing spirits universe.   Located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Western Spirits has continued to grow through aggressive brand expansion and a robust sales force backing distribution within all 50 states.

To learn more about Western Spirits Beverage Company brands, please visit:

www.westernspirits.com

www.birddogwhiskey.com

www.calumetbourbon.com

http://www.lexington-bourbon.com/

###

Comprehensive Shopping Experience Puts Attendees Face-to-Face with Local and Regional Home Improvement & Remodeling Experts, January 27-29

Chicago (Jan. 11, 2017) – The Ideal Home Show Chicago (IHSC), presented by Life Storage, returns to Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) for its third installment, from January 27-29, 2017. The experiential marketplace – the only home show in the city of Chicago – is perfect for new and existing homeowners looking to upgrade, remodel or renovate their homes.

The three-day showcase will feature vendors from Chicagoland and beyond eager to demonstrate their new products, and to offer advice, insight and inspiration on remodeling, design, home improvement and spring outdoor projects. Guests will meet local and regional experts offering innovative products, inspiring ideas, helpful tips and exclusive deals.

In 2016, homeowners who completed home remodeling projects rose 12% from the previous year, driven primarily by new owners looking to upgrade and customize their homes, and people preparing to put their homes on the market.[i]

“Winter is the perfect time of year for existing and future home owners to start thinking ahead to their spring and summer renewal projects,” said Jessica Boweak, the IHSC’s manager. “We’re excited to welcome more than 40 new home experts to the third annual Ideal Home Show at Navy Pier. Attendees will get to shop, compare and save, as well as take advantage of seminars and specials they won’t find anywhere else.”

2017’s Ideal Home Show Chicago will feature vendors specializing in bedroom, office, outdoor, energy efficiency and more. Since kitchen and bathroom remodeling remain the top trends for people upgrading their homes, attendees will find experts in cabinetry, appliances, windows and flooring, including Dovetail Kitchens, offering custom solutions in kitchen and bath remodeling, Renewal by Andersen, replacement windows and doors, Phenix Brick, indoor and outdoor brick staining, Premium Cabinets and Countertops, and Power Home Remodeling, specializing in energy-efficient home remodeling.

Highlights include:

• WGN Radio’s Lou Manfredini, aka “Mr. Fix It,” will broadcast live from Navy Pier Saturday, Jan. 28 from 7-10 a.m.
• Ethan Allen, the leader in furniture and home accessories, will create interactive office, bedroom and dining displays, and offer free design assistance through its “Ask a Designer” program
• Mission 2 Organize, Chicago’s urban organizing and concierge business, will present unique solutions to help attendees get organized Friday and Saturday at 1 pm

• VizX Designs, Naperville’s 3D landscape design firm, will provide outdoor living tips and create a walk-through backyard display
• Paramont EO and Crest Lighting, in partnership with GE, will discuss the energy efficiency of LED lighting, and heated flooring from Nuheat
  • The first 300 attendees each day will receive a free LED light bulb, courtesy of Paramont EO and Crest Lighting
• Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance will help attendees manage energy use and costs
• NHL Network Analyst and former Chicago Blackhawk Jamal Mayers and Blackhawks Defenseman Brian Campbell will sign autographs Saturday, Jan. 28 from 12-2 pm and Sunday, Jan. 29 from 12-2 pm, respectively, sponsored by Renewal by Andersen
• Local musician Laura Joy will perform Friday, Jan. 27 from 5-8 pm
• Chicago’s Indige Face and Waxed Hands will be at the show each day offering complimentary face painting and creating memorable keepsakes for children
• Charity partner, Habitat for Humanity, will have an interactive craft booth, creating coasters out of tile
• Local food trucks, including Da Pizza Dude, Pork Chop and Taquero Fusion will be dishing out customer favorites all weekend

Tickets are $10 at the door, $7 online, $4 for Seniors 65+ with a valid ID at the show box office. Children 12 and under are free with an adult. The hours for the Ideal Home Show Chicago are:

• Friday, January 27, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Saturday, January 28, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Sunday, January 29, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Show will take place at Navy Pier in Festival Hall B, with parking conveniently located beneath the showroom. New SpotHero users can save $5 using code IDEALHOME17. Commuters can earn $5 off their first 10 rides from Lyft when they download the app and enter code 50BONUS.

For more information, including a full stage schedule, visit idealhomeshowchicago.com. Follow Ideal Home Show Chicago for show updates and helpful home tips on Facebook and Twitter, and engage using hashtag #idealhomeshows.

About Ideal Home Show Chicago

Ideal Home Show Chicago offers consumers a comprehensive, face-to-face shopping opportunity, connecting new and existing home owners with companies offering home improvement, remodeling and décor, and outdoor living products, services and expert advice, to help them create the ideal home and life year round.

About Navy Pier

Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is the top attended leisure destination in the Midwest, stretching more than 6 city blocks and welcoming more than 8 million guests annually. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more. Navy Pier, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization, maintains and oversees Navy Pier and its redevelopment into a bolder, greener and more contemporary urban space. For more information, visit www.navypier.com.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a path out of poverty, since 1976 Habitat has helped more than 5 million people through home construction, rehabilitation and repairs and by increasing access to improved shelter through products and services. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and offers a variety of housing support services that enable families with limited means to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.

###

[i] Home Advisor Annual Report, 2016, http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/report/

Premium Loose-Leaf Teas Sourced From the World’s Premier Tea Growing Regions Now Available in Cafés and Online

Chicago, Ill. – (Dec. 14, 2016) – Argo Tea®, the premium tea brand known for its all-natural tea-based signature drinks and loose-leaf teas, today introduced its most premium offering: the Garden Direct Collection. The new line features 24 single estate teas that are sourced from the world’s premier tea growing regions. Each reflects the character and subtleties of the unique terroir and climate from the garden in which it was grown.

With a variety of flavors and levels of caffeine, ranging from popular pure teas like First Flush Darjeeling (Ambootia Tea Garden, India) to undiscovered teas like Hong Cha (Fang District, Thailand) or Sejak (Jeju Island, South Korea), the range of the collection provides unique offerings for all types of tea enthusiasts. All Garden Direct varietals are available for purchase online at www.argotea.com and in the majority of Argo Tea’s Chicago and New York City area cafés. The following eight Garden Direct teas, which exemplify the diversity within the collection, are available in the rest of Argo Tea cafés nationwide:

• English Breakfast – Everything you could want in an English Breakfast tea and more: full-bodied, subtle malt and a hint of smoke
• Genmaicha – Stunningly beautiful, this Japanese favorite is the perfect balance of fresh vegetal Sencha and nutty undertones from the toasted rice
• Nilgiri – Sweet notes of honey and dried fruit give this tea wonderful balance, complemented by its lush amber cup
• Sencha – Lightly steamed to preserve the character of the leaves, this tea typifies the light grassy flavor you’d expect from the best senchas
• Pai Mu Tan – Picked from the tiniest buds in early Spring, this white tea presents delicate fruit and floral notes that will delight the palate
• Armenian Mint – Delicious and refreshing, Armenian Mint tea revitalizes the mind, body and soul, naturally without caffeine
• Chamomile Blossoms – Grown in the Nile Delta at low altitude, this classic herbal tea exhibits a light, floral sweetness that is perfectly balanced by earthy undertones
• Rooibos – Grown only in South Africa, this flavorful and full-bodied tea is caffeine-free and has strong notes of honey and fruit

This innovative collection was made possible because of the solid, long-standing relationships among Argo Tea and the various tea growers in each region.

“We literally traveled to all ends of the earth to source the best single estate teas for our Garden Direct Collection,” said Arsen Avakian, founder and CEO, Argo Tea. “Our partners not only make some of the best teas but also share in our commitment to making an impact on their communities. We’re proud to work with these world-renowned growers and are passionate about sharing these exceptional pure teas with enthusiasts everywhere.”

The collection’s rich gold and brown labels reflect the premium quality of each tea within the Collection. Each bottle features a design inspired by regional art, flowers and iconic patterns of the specific country where the tea was grown. The suggested retail price for each loose-leaf bottle varies from $10.95 to $39.95.

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 30,000 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, premium 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

# # #

Chicago (November 17, 2016) – Just in time for the holidays, Nick’Socks, the Chicago-based luxury men’s sock brand designed for the modern businessman, has expanded its selection from three styles to twelve, including five “no shows” – the ideal size for a stocking stuffer.

Custom made in Italy using 100 percent Egyptian Mako cotton spun from extra-long staple fibers, which produce the highest quality thread, Nick’Socks offers distinct conversation-starting styles in multiple color combinations, ranging from vibrant and bold to subtle and sophisticated, which allow men to express their personalities through fashion.

The new “no shows,” which retail exclusively online for $19.99, feature decorative designs including horses, giraffes, chevrons in various colors and combinations. Each style is named for a person who has impacted the life of founder and CEO, Nick Bruce, including mentors, family members and friends.

Ideal for year round wear, the “no show” styles feature four rows of reinforced anti-slip rubber backing along the heel of the socks, so men don’t have to worry about losing their socks inside their shoes. Designed with precision and luxury in mind, Nick’Socks are not only fashionable, but also comfortable, breathable and durable, and appropriate in both professional and personal settings.

“Socks are a subtle way for men to make an individualized statement and showcase their strength and confidence,” said Bruce. “I designed the collection to be not only stylish, but also comfortable and functional, so men can wear these socks on their way to work with slacks or to a ball game in jeans.”

In addition to the “no shows,” Nick’Socks added one knee length and three ankle length styles, featuring designs like stripes and polka dots. The nine new styles join the original three: “Tradizionale,” or herringbone, “Originale,” or striped, and “Classico,” or anchors, available in purple, blue, red, beige and green.

Nick’Socks ankle and knee length socks retail for $45. The “no shows” retail for $19.99 per pair, $54 for three pairs, $75 for five pairs and $100 for 10 pairs. All sales are currently available online, and include tax and ground shipping. For more information, please visit nicksocks.co.

“Like” Nick’Socks on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnTheGo2015?fref=ts, and follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickSocks and Instagram: https://instagram.com/nicksocksofficial/.

About Nick’Socks

Nick’Socks is the high quality, luxury sock and lifestyle brand that illustrates your personal style. Custom made in Italy using 100% Egyptian Mako cotton, Nick’Socks are available for purchase in three distinct styles online and in select Chicago retail locations. For more information, visit nicksocks.co

Nick Bruce, LLC 2016

###

Reservations for Guided Tours Now Being Accepted Online

Louisville, Kentucky (November 16, 2016) – Angel’s Envy™, the super-premium Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey of uncompromising character and quality, will officially open its new distillery and brand home to the public for guided tours beginning Saturday, November 19. Online reservations, which are required, are now being accepted at www.angelsenvy.com. Admission is $15 per person and includes a tasting.

Located at 500 E. Main Street at Jackson, (the former Vermont American and Baer Fabrics Warehouse), the new state-of-the-art facility is the first full-production whiskey distillery in downtown Louisville. Having completed a $27 million renovation since breaking ground in 2013, the brand home center houses the Angel’s Envy distillery operations (including everything from milling of grains to blending and bottling on site), as well as a visitor center and gift shop. From the exterior walls to the vaulted ceilings and arched windows, their architects worked diligently to preserve every possible feature of the original building. Their breathtaking, one-of-a-kind 35-foot-tall column still, pot still and doubler were sourced locally from Vendome Copper & Brass Works—just four blocks away.

The small batch artisan bourbon is the culmination of the late Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson’s storied career. Each of the brand’s three current expressions (flagship Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Port Wine Barrels, Angel’s Envy Cask Strength and Angel’s Envy Rye finished in hand-selected Caribbean rum casks), exhibit his passion for experimenting outside of conventional norms by producing unique whiskey steeped in tradition, but finished with a twist.

“Opening the Angel’s Envy distillery and visitor’s center in downtown Louisville was a dream Dad (Lincoln Henderson) and I had,” said Wes Henderson, Co-founder/Chief Innovation Officer, Louisville Distilling Company. “He would be so proud of what we’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time. My sons and I proudly carry on his legacy. The distillery is a must-see experience.”

“We are delighted that Angel’s Envy chose downtown Louisville for its new distillery and visitor center,” said Louisville Mayor, Greg Fischer. “It is evident that Angel’s Envy is not only committed to quality craftsmanship, but also the greater Louisville community.”

The Angel’s Envy distillery and brand home will be open for tours every Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00am – 5:00pm, and every Sunday, from 1:00 – 5:00pm. Tours will not be available on Tuesdays.

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™ is a proud member of the Kentucky Distiller’s Association (KDA)

Angel’s Envy™ 2016. Heaven Can Wait. Please Drink Responsibly.

# # #