Key West, Florida (January 26, 2015) – Papa’s Pilar^®, the premium sipping rum inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s spirit of adventure, today announced its sponsorship of the inaugural Florida Statewide Tournament and Anglers Rodeo (STAR). The event is produced by The Coastal Conservation Association of Florida (CCA FL), a statewide, non-profit marine organization working to protect the state’s marine resources and interests of saltwater anglers.

As the “official” rum of CCA FL and STAR, Papa’s Pilar will attend the Florida Sportsman Expo at the Lee County Civic Center in Ft. Myers on January 31. During the event, STAR will share details about the 108 day long tournament, which was designed to encourage anglers to get out and enjoy more time on the water and to educate the general public about the importance of conservation of Florida’s marine resources. STAR anglers will compete for a total of nearly $500,000 in prizes and college scholarships during the summer long tournament, which runs from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. The signature division will have Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and CCA FL officials releasing up to 80 STAR tagged redfish along the west coast of Florida throughout hundreds of miles of Florida’s gulf coast and bays, from Pensacola to the Everglades National Park.

Papa’s Pilar 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. Ernest Hemingway was a famed angler and an active conservationist, serving as VP of the International Game Fish Association for 21 years. The brand set out to create a bold rum with real integrity and rich complex character, much like the man who inspires them.

“Papa’s Pilar is rooted in the adventures of Ernest Hemingway, including recreational fishing and boating,” said Lindsey Kops, brand director for Papa’s Pilar Rum. “We’re proud to sponsor the inaugural Florida Statewide Tournament and Anglers Rodeo, an event that embodies many of Hemingway’s core values, from sport and adventure to protection of natural resources.”

ABOUT PAPA’S PILAR RUM

The inaugural Dark & Blonde varieties are hand-selected from ports-of-call in the Caribbean, Central America and the U.S.A. for their age, character and maturity, and then solera aged and blended in a unique process using American Oak Bourbon barrels, Port Wine casks, and finishing in Spanish Sherry casks. This process provides an authentic and unique flavor profile that no one origin could accomplish.

Papa’s Pilar Dark, a bold and complex sipping rum, was named “Best Rum in America” by the Caribbean Journal in 2014. 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. The Expression also won a “Double Gold” Medal at the 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Papa’s Pilar Blonde, the first categorized ‘blonde’ rum, is crisp and nuanced and includes column stilled aged rums 3-7 years old. At 84-proof, it’s a premium sipping rum with a layered and exceptionally smooth finish, making for an indulgent cocktail. Papa’s Pilar Blonde was awarded “Best in Class” White Rum at the 2013 Rum Renaissance Festival in Miami, Florida.

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.

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. The lion heads represent nobility while the Rooster on the Medallion pays homage to Key West, where Hemingway and his boat Pilar once resided and remain celebrated fixtures within the community.

Papa’s Pilar rums are available in 750ml bottles in both on- and off-premise accounts in California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, 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 2015 in Key West, Florida. For more information, visit www.papaspilar.com, “like” us on Facebook and follow us on twitter and Instagram @papaspilar. Enthusiasts can also search for #papaspilar, #papawouldbeproud, #neveraspectator, #myhemingwayday, #pilarforpreservation

For more information about STAR, please visit http://ccaflstar.com/

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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Louisville, Kentucky (January 20, 2015) – Louisville Distilling Co. LLC, producers of the award-winning Angel’s Envy super-premium bourbon finished in port wine barrels, proudly donated $10,000 to the Arbor Day Foundation as a result of the wildly successful “Toast the Trees” social media initiative last September. The funds will be used to plant 2,500 white oak trees in the Appalachian Mountains this Spring – specifically, for the Pennsylvania state game lands enhancement project, which reclaims the land of old mines by planting new forests.

“Toast the Trees” was designed to fight back against the current bourbon barrel shortage. 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. Therefore, the super-premium brand promised to plant one new white oak tree in North America for every picture bourbon enthusiasts took of an Angel’s Envy cocktail – neat, on-the-rocks or in a cocktail. Participants simply had to post their picture to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #AE4THETREES. During the month of September, the brand recorded 1,342 social media posts. The team also successfully executed 162 on-premise promotions across the country and sold 2,126 Angel’s Envy cocktails.

“We were thrilled by the engagement and participation in the inaugural #AE4theTrees campaign,” said Samira Seiller, Managing Director of Louisville Distilling Company. “We look forward to planting these American White Oaks in the spring and making this an annual initiative.”

“Thanks to the kind generosity of Angel’s Envy, we will be able to plant much-needed trees in support of our vitally important ongoing reforestation efforts,” said Dan Lambe, President of the Arbor Day Foundation. “These trees will help to restore forests and provide critical wildlife habitat.”

About Angel’s Envy
Angel’s Envy 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 created the Angel’s Envy on his own terms – with a simple desire to enjoy the art of making whiskey. The Master Distiller, who was an inaugural member of the Bourbon Hall of Fame also spent 40 years of working on world-class brands, such as Woodford Reserve and Jack Daniels.

In addition to the flagship bourbon finished in port wine barrels, the Company offers Angel’s Envy Cask Strength and Angel’s Envy Rye finished in rum barrels. Each Expression exhibits Lincoln’s 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 casks for an incremental 3-6 months. Now available in more than 35 U.S. markets, 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 casks for up to 18 months. Due to the scarcity of barrels necessary for the finishing process, Angel’s Envy only released 6,500 bottles in late 2014. 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, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OR, TN, TX & WA 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).

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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New “LoyalTEA” App Rewards Tea Lovers With Immediate Incentives; Will Feature Holiday e-Gifting Options

Chicago, Illinois – (November 4, 2014) – Argo Tea®, the company known for blending the finest local and global loose-leaf teas in over 40 locations worldwide, today launches its first mobile app in time for the bustling holiday shopping season.  Designed to reward brand fans, the new Argo “LoyalTEA” app will allow users to pre-order and pay for beverages for immediate pick-up at the bar station upon arrival to their favorite Argo Tea Café or TEAosk.  Simply for downloading the free app, which is available for Android and iPhone, Argo will reward consumers with a $5 café credit to use at locations in Chicago, New York and Boston.

Along with in-app ordering, LoyalTEA Club members will able to:

• Earn and redeem their rewards, track progress, status and special offers, which increase with milestone visits.  Customers can progress through four status levels based on the number of visits: SpecialTEA, PrioriTEA, CelebriTEA and RoyalTEA
• Use their mobile device to scan at the counter for fast, seamless payment
• Invite friends (via facebook, twitter or email) to download and use the app.  The app user simply gifts each friend $5 in Argo Tea credit.  Once the friend spends the credit with a transaction at Argo, the referrer gets $5 added to their own account
• Search for award-winning Argo Tea on-the-go (e.g. bottled teas) at premier grocery, convenience, and drug stores around the country
• Migrate over any unused rewards or credit.  Existing LoyalTEA account users (plastic card program), can seamlessly enter their card number directly in the app and receive an immediate status level increase

Later this holiday season, the LoyalTEA app will be updated to include holiday e-gifting capabilities, which will allow customers to send an Argo gift card to anyone via email from right within the app.

“We’re thrilled to introduce our first-ever mobile app which will make the Argo Experience fast and seamless for consumers on-the-go, especially during the busy holiday season,” said Arsen Avakian, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Argo Tea.  “Argo already delivers a high-quality product – now, we’re able to recognize and reward our most loyal customers with convenience and a robust rewards program.”

Seasonal Specials: A Fall Favorite & Winter Warm-up!

Known for blending its loose-leaf teas with high-quality ingredients such as fresh juices and milk, Argo will offer a variety of seasonal specials throughout the holiday season, including the Pumpkin Chai (a renewing brew of rooibos tea from South Africa, pumpkin, cinnamon, cardamom, creamy milk and pure cane sugar) and White Frostea Chocolate (rich white chocolate, mint and white tea and steamed milk). All seasonal beverages will be available for purchase through the LoyalTEA App.

Ten percent of net proceeds from the Argo seasonal signature drink is donated through its ChariTEA Program to a selected nonprofit partner.  

About Argo Tea

Argo Tea was founded in 2003, and has quickly become a household name and leading multi-channel beverage brand dedicated to consistently delivering the highest quality products, and providing the Argo Experience through the innovative and modern approach.  Argo’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.  Argo Tea is now present in 40 locations across the United States and six in the Middle East.

For more information, please visit www.argotea.com or follow the brand on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/argotea and twitter @argotea

Cheat Tweet

New @argotea app lets you pre-order, pay ahead & skip the line. Download it now & receive a $5 café credit! argotea.com/loyaltea #LoyalTEA

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Chicago’s hometown cheese shop since 2004 makes delicious artisan holiday gift offerings available online and in-store beginning November 1st

Chicago, IL (October 27, 2014) – Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine will celebrate the upcoming holiday season by introducing various collections and medleys that reflect the spirit of Chicago’s iconic neighborhoods beginning November 1st.  Each contains a variety of artisanal products that pay homage to the communities Pastoral holds dear and its hometown roots.

The following holiday collections and medleys will be available for purchase online at pastoralartisan.com, in-store or by calling 800.721.4781.

Holiday Collections & Medleys

• Lake View Collection ($99.99), shares all-time favorites from the neighborhood that’s home to the flagship Pastoral store and Bar Pastoral
• Lincoln Square Medley ($49.99), inspired by the Northside neighborhood rich in German history, local culture and independent businesses
• Hyde Park Collection ($74.99), takes you on an edible trip around the world, inspired by the home of the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, the University of Chicago and the President of the United States
• Best of the Midwest Collection ($69.99), features a bounty of America’s artisans producing phenomenal cheese and accompaniments
• Wicker Park Collection ($79.99), named after Chicago’s hip and artsy neighborhood and featuring artisan treats to please even the most discriminating palate
• Fulton Market Collection ($119.99), home to artisan producers, groundbreaking restaurants and a food community committed to exploring new tastes and concepts with a bit of old school tradition
• Magnificent Mile Deluxe Collection ($169.99), boasts a premium spread of the highest-quality artisanal cheese, wine, charcuterie and more to match the area’s iconic architecture, lush boutiques and swanky residences
• Gourmet Gratitude Collection ($129.99), a bounty of comforting and indulgent treats
• Back of the Yards Medley ($54.99), celebrates one of the most historically significant meatpacking districts in the country with artisan charcuterie
• Sweet Home Chicago Medley ($39.99), shows off the Windy City’s sweet tooth and some locally-produced confections

Pastoral Collections arrive in a signature wooden cheese box, handcrafted in Denmark, Wisconsin.  Pastoral Medleys are packaged in an environmentally friendly kraft box.  Each will include an informative insert, describing every artisan product, the stories and people behind them and how best to enjoy them.

Up to two bottles of wine can be added to any collection for $20 and $40, respectively.  Similarly, up to two bottles of Benchmark, or world-class wines, can be added to any collection for $50 and $100, respectively.  Pastoral’s resident experts select optimal wines to accompany each collection in both theme and flavor.

Monthly Membership Clubs

In addition to the holiday collections and medleys, Pastoral will continue to offer customers another great gift option – monthly membership clubs – including two new options:

• Cheese of the Month (two pieces per month), selected to highlight the best of what the season has to offer
• Wine of the Month (one bottle per month), focused on small production vineyards employing environmentally sustainable practices. Includes information about the wine, its origin and food pairing recommendations
• Perfect Pairing of the Month, showcasing delicious combinations of cheese and wine that take the guesswork out of pairing
• New! Charcuterie of the Month (two pieces per month), ranges from potted meats and whole muscle cures to traditional dry aged sausages
• New! Trio of the Month, featuring delightful combinations of cheese, charcuterie and wine from Pastoral’s resident experts

Each of Pastoral’s cheese, charcuterie, wine and pairing memberships include an educational and insightful narrative to share the unique story, style and origin of each product, how to best enjoy and the inspiration behind them.  Each is available for four, eight or 12-month packages.  Visit pastoralartisan.com for full details, including pricing and shipping information.

“In 2004, we opened Pastoral with a mission to provide Chicago with the highest level of service, education and quality and to make shopping for artisan food and wine enlightening, approachable, fun and delicious,” said Greg O’Neill, co-founder of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine.  “This holiday season, in our tenth anniversary year, we’re thrilled to celebrate the food culture of our hometown Chicago as exemplified by its diverse neighborhoods.”

Pastoral offers delicious, memorable gifts to meet any budget and specializes in corporate and client gifts.  For more information, visit pastoralartisan.com or call Pastoral at 773-472-4781.  A full calendar of holiday events is also available at all Pastoral store locations (2945 North Broadway; 53 East Lake Street; Chicago French Market, 131 North Clinton Street).

About Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine is a trio of national award-winning neighborhood cheese, specialty foods and wine shop 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 2013, the Company opened Bar Pastoral, an award-winning, Michelin Guide recommended cheese & wine bistro serving shareable fare, in a cozy, inviting neighborhood setting.

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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