Chicago, IL (October 1, 2014) – Together with the American Cheese Society, Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine will celebrate American Cheese Month 2014 throughout the month of October.  The fourth annual national event celebrates American artisan cheese and the farmers, cheesemakers, purveyors and chefs who bring American artisan cheese to the table.  Throughout October, Pastoral, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in Chicago this year, will promote all American produced cheeses, but highlight the following four:

Capriole Cheese’s “O’Banon” from, Greenville, IN

– Cheese Makers: Judith Schad (founder) & Chris Osborne

– A fresh goat’s milk cheese wrapped in Woodford Reserve Bourbon soaked Chestnut leaves.  2014 ACS 1st Place Winner for its category

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese’s “Bay Blue”, Point Reyes Station, CA

– Owners: The Giacomini Family; Cheese Maker: Kuba Hemmerling

– A cows milk fudgy blue cheese full of layers of amazing flavor, this cheese won 2nd best in show among 1,700 cheeses at this year’s prestigious ACS judging and competition (1st place in its category)

Alemar Cheese’s “Good Thunder”, Mankato, MN

– Owner: Keith Adams; Cheese Maker: Craig Hageman

– A washed rind cows milk cheese in a French Reblochon tradition, this more robust version of its award winning sister Bent River Camembert

LaClare Farms’ “Chandoka”, Malone, WI
Owners/Cheese Makers: The Hedrich Family

– A cheddar-like mixed milk cheese of goats and cows milk this mild, fruity firmer cheese is a crowd pleaser

These four featured cheeses will be served at all Pastoral retail stores, at Bar Pastoral, and as a gift medley, which will be available both in store and online.

There will be a variety of in-store offerings, including an “American Cheese Month Retail Cheese Plate” for $15 (including tax), featuring the four cheeses and served with seasonal accompaniments and a baguette.

An “American Cheese Month Medley” will retail for $64.99 and include cuts of the four featured cheeses, along with Quince and Apple Fig and Black Tea Preserves from Wisconsin.  The medley is beautifully arranged in a Pastoral Medley Craft Box and includes a write up about the contents and their producers.

Pastoral will also host free in-store tastings at all three store locations throughout the month featuring Indiana’s Capriole Cheese, Wisconsin’s Clockshadow Creamery and Georgia’s Many Fold Farm among others.  Visit pastoralartisan.com for a full list of in-store demos/tastings from American artisan cheese makers.

Bar Pastoral will introduce an “American Cheese Month Cheese Plate” in October for $20, highlighting the aforementioned four cheeses and served with seasonal accompaniments, beautifully arranged on one of Pastoral’s signature slate presentation boards.

On Sunday, October 26, Bar Pastoral will host a special Brunch/Book Signing with Legendary “Breakfast Queen” Ina Pinkney in celebration of her new book “Taste Memories.”  Bar Pastoral Chef Brooks Hart will re-create some of her signature dishes, which will incorporate American Artisan Cheesy goodness.

Throughout October, Pastoral will make their Monthly Wine Focus amazing American-produced wines that are a great compliment to the four featured cheeses.  On Saturday, October 25 at 3:30pm, Pastoral’s beverage buyer and resident expert, Mark Wrobel, will host the monthly Afternoon Explorations Guided Wine Tasting.  The $5 cost will be credited toward store purchases afterward. 

Pastoral will donate a portion of sales from these products to support the Daphne Zepos Teaching Award, an annual scholarship awarded to a USA-based cheese professional to further his or her education on cheese.  The scholarship was created in memory of Daphne, who was an industry legend and ACS Lifetime achievement award winner, the founder of Essex Street Cheese Company and the owner of the Cheese School of San Francisco.  The scholarship is funded by the Daphne Zepos Endowment, which is held in the American Cheese Education Foundation.

“The burgeoning artisan cheese movement in North America inspired us to open Pastoral back in 2004, and we continue to be motivated by the growing number of American artisan cheesemakers from regions throughout the U.S.,” said Greg O’Neill, co-founder of Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine and Chair of the American Cheese Society.  “During this fourth annual American Cheese Month, we’re especially eager to spread the word on the quality and craftsmanship of American cheesemakers and create dialogue on sustainability, eating locally and supporting traditional cheesemaking practices.”

For more information on American Cheese Month 2014, visit pastoralartisan.com or call Pastoral at 773-472-4781.  A full calendar of local events to celebrate American Cheese Month 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. The company was named Outstanding Retailer of the Year in 2007 and 2012 by the Specialty Food Association.

About Bar Pastoral

Recommended in the prestigious 2014 Chicago Michelin Guide, Bar Pastoral is an award-winning cheese & wine bistro and the first sit-down extension from Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, Chicago’s lauded gourmet retailer.  Serving shareable fare, in a cozy, inviting neighborhood setting, Bar Pastoral celebrates the idea of “grazing as dinner” with an expertly crafted selection of fine cheeses, hand-made charcuterie, as well as small and large composed plates, all thoughtfully paired with small production wines, craft beers and spirits.  Bar Pastoral also serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, and is a welcoming place to relax and enjoy meals that reflect the finest ingredients and flavors of the season. http://www.barpastoral.com

About the American Cheese Society (ACS)
The American Cheese Society (ACS) is the leading organization supporting the understanding, appreciation and promotion of farmstead, artisan and specialty cheeses produced in North America.  More than 1,500 members strong, ACS provides advocacy, education, business development and networking opportunities to cheesemakers, retailers, enthusiasts and extended industry.  ACS strives to continuously raise the quality and availability of cheese in North America.  Since its founding in 1983, ACS proudly hosts North America’s foremost annual educational conference and world-renowned cheese judging and competition.  For more information, visit cheesesociety.org

About American Cheese Month
American Cheese Month is an annual celebration of America’s diverse artisan, farmstead and specialty cheeses—and the farmers, cheesemakers, distributors, retailers, cheesemongers, chefs and educators who bring them to the table.  Created by the American Cheese Society, American Cheese Month will be held annually each October, with special events and promotions in cities across the country.  The goal of the month-long celebration is to raise awareness of the quality and diversity of American cheeses, as well as to increase support for family farms, traditional cheese production methods and sustainable production models.  Revenue from select American Cheese Month events will support the American Cheese Education Foundation (ACEF).  For more information, visit americancheesemonth.org

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Louisville, Kentucky (September 24, 2014) – Louisville Distilling Company is proud to announce the limited-edition release of the critically acclaimed Angel’s Envy Cask Strength.  The Expression will be available this October in select markets including: CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OR, TN, TX, WA.  Due to the scarcity of barrels necessary for the enhanced finishing process, Angel’s Envy will only release 6,500 bottles.  Previous releases quickly sold out.

Named “best spirit in the world” by Paul Pacult in the June 2013 edition of Spirit Journal, Cask Strength shared top honors with a 25-year-old single malt whisky that sold for nearly twice the price.  In his review, Pacult awarded the brand five stars – his highest recommendation – noting, “this masterpiece deserves a sixth rating star.”

As with Angel’s Envy, the super-premium bourbon of uncompromising character and quality, Cask Strength is aged to the perfect level of richness and maturity (up to seven years) in the few American white oak barrels that made the cut.  The barrels are then blended into a single batch and finished in hand-selected port casks.

“Cask Strength is rare and rich bourbon worth savoring,” said Wes Henderson, Chief Innovation Officer, Angel’s Envy.  “The first couple of releases sold out quickly so we’re thrilled to make it even more widely available this year.”

The suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle, which may vary by market, is $169.  A remarkably complex bourbon at 119.3-proof and 59.65% alcohol by volume, Cask Strength is best enjoyed with just a bit of water to release the flavor nuances.

Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Tasting Notes

Color: Deep Amber red tint, coppery

Nose: Toffee, Butterscotch, Toasted Oak, Cherries, Ripe Peach, Berry Jam, Vanilla, notes of banana

Palate: Lots of port notes: Cherries, Oak, raisins. Still get a beautiful bourbon feel with Vanilla, Honey, a butter velvet feel, a little bit of clove spice, honeysuckle

Finish/Feel: Glides around your palate, lingers for a few moments, but not too long as to keep you from another sip. Add some water and it opens nicely. Warm and sweet, but still tingly.

Bottle Signing Events

Angel’s Envy will host exclusive bottle signing events with members of the Henderson family from December 2014 through April 2015 for those that purchase Cask Strength.  An insert on each bottle shares a URL with more information about the events.

Angel’s Envy Distillery

The Angel’s Envy distillery will be located in downtown Louisville, on the corner of Main Street and Jackson, bringing the great tradition of Kentucky bourbon-making back to the city.  The new state-of-the-art distillery and brand experience center will make a great starting point for the Bourbon Trail and be open to the public for guided tours.  Louisville Distilling Company expects the new distillery to be up and running in 2015.

About Louisville Distilling Company LLC

Louisville Distilling Company LLC is the proud producer of the highly celebrated Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  The small batch artisan port-finished bourbon, which is hand-blended in small batches of 8-12 barrels and allowed to develop naturally, is the culmination of the late Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson’s storied career.  The award-winning flagship Expression, which is available in more than 30 U.S. markets, earned 98/100 points from Wine Enthusiast magazine – the highest-ever rating for a bourbon.  The Company also offers Angel’s Envy Rye, which is finished in Caribbean rum casks and Angel’s Envy Cask Strength, which Paul Pacult of Spirit Journal named the “Best Spirit in the World.”  Each Expression exhibits Lincoln’s passion for experimenting outside of conventional norms and producing unique whiskey steeped in tradition, but finished with a twist.

For more information, please visit us at www.angelsenvy.com or on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/AngelsEnvyBourbon, twitter https://twitter.com/Angels_Envy (@angels_envy) and Instagram.

Angel’s Envy 2014.  Heaven Can Wait.  Please Drink Responsibly.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – (September 23, 2013) – Official Moustache season is here! The Movember Foundation enters its 11^th year as the leading global organization to change the face of men’s health.  Starting today, men and women are encouraged to become an official participant by signing up at Movember.com and committing to grow and support the moustache – and only the moustache – during Movember, the month formerly known as November.

Movember challenges men to start clean-shaven on November 1 and grow just a moustache for 30 days, getting friends, family and colleagues to donate to their moustache-growing efforts. The growth of a moustache sparks conversations and raises vital funds for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems. To date, the Movember community has raised over $550 million and funded over 800 programs in 21 countries.

“Now, more than ever, is a critical time to raise funds and awareness for men’s health,” said Mark Hedstrom, U.S. Country Director at Movember.  “Over the last 11 years, the moustache has become the symbol for men’s health, with over 4 million men and women participating in the Movember movement. Together, we are making a change and reducing stigmas so that men can take action for their physical and mental wellbeing.”

Movember 2013 was the largest, most significant campaign the US has ever seen. Over 219,000 men and women signed up on Movember.com and raised nearly $23 million for men’s health.  Globally, the Movember Foundation is focused on men’s health, specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.

Details about the more than 800 programs that Movember has funded can be found on the funded programs page on Movember.com.

• Prostate Cancer: 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. In the US, the Movember Foundation funds world-class research and survivorship programs through our Global Action Plan (GAP), the Prostate Cancer Foundation, and the LIVESTRONG Foundation. Through these programs, we are funding first in field, research teams focused on accelerating progress towards the reduction of death and suffering due to recurrent or advanced prostate cancer and programs to support men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer as well as their families and caregivers.
• Testicular Cancer: Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men aged 15-35 years. For men diagnosed with testicular cancer, we seek to improve their physical and mental health, and reduce mortality.  In the US, the Movember Foundation funds have supported our Global Action Plan (GAP) and the LIVESTRONG Foundation’s Cancer Navigation Services.

• Mental Health: Men are 4 times more likely to die of suicide than women. Since 2006, the Movember Foundation has funded mental health programs in Australia and New Zealand, and since 2013 in Canada. Movember is currently working with industry experts to lay the foundation for the mental health initiative that Movember will be funding in the U.S.  Movember is focused on the these key areas in mental health:

• Prevention – men and boys are mentally healthy and take action to remain so.
• Early intervention – when men and boys experience mental health problems they take action early.
• Stigma reduction – men and boys with mental health problems are not discriminated against.

The new “Made in Movember” campaign theme encourages the community to focus on thinking globally and acting locally. Once signed up at Movember.com, participants become part of the global movement and utilize their personalized fundraising page to get friends, family, and colleagues to donate to their efforts.

For more information, please visit Movember.com. Connect with Movember on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, flickr, and Pinterest.

Sign up and join the largest men’s health movement at Movember.com.

About the Movember Foundation

The Movember Foundation’s vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health. We do this by getting men to grow moustaches during Movember (the month formerly known as November) to spark conversation and raise funds for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health. Together with the Movember community we have raised over $550 million, and have funded over 800 world-class programs in 21 countries. We’re committed to changing the face of men’s health and won’t stop growing as long as serious men’s health issues remain.

Movember is fully accredited by the Better Business Bureau, and for the past two years, has been named a Top 100 best NGO by The Global Journal. For more information please visit Movember.com. Movember is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.

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Chicago, IL (September 2, 2014) – Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC today announced that Jewel, the award-winning recording artist and author, will continue to serve as a brand ambassador and spokesperson for Pure Via^® in the U.S. and Canada during the upcoming holiday season.

The all-natural, non-GMO*, zero-calorie sweetener continues to partner with Jewel to promote the brand’s “Tune in to Pure” campaign, which encourages consumers to take pleasure in the simple things that make every day sweeter.  It also promotes the use of the natural sweetener used in Pure Via^® Rebaudioside A (Reb A), which comes from the sweetest and best-tasting part of the stevia leaf.

The highpoint of the campaign is a free digital cookbook/songbook, which gives consumers immediate access to free downloads of never before released versions of two hit Jewel songs and two of Jewel’s holiday favorites at www.purevia.com/jewel-tunes.  The book also offers Jewel’s tips for using Pure Via, delicious recipes, coupons, song lyrics, and Jewel’s own photos.

Jewel’s image will appear on specially marked packages of Pure Via^® as well as in the brand’s national advertising and promotional materials: a freestanding insert (FSI), digital banners, consumer sampling, social media and in-store activation.  The packages will also feature download information for the free cookbook/songbook.

“Jewel is a natural fit for Pure Via,” said Cheryl Gill, director, North America Marketing, Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC.  “She is passionate about living a pure life and using products like Pure Via with no artificial processing, preservatives or color.  Just simple non-GMO* ingredients.”

“Food should be as pure and close to nature as possible,” said Jewel.  “I use Pure Via in my favorite beverages as well as my cooking and snacking because it makes life just a little sweeter – naturally.”

Pure Via^® will also host consumer contests and giveaways on the brand’s facebook page, including signed merchandise, posters and CDs.

Look for the Pure Via^® packaging featuring Jewel in the sweetener aisle at grocery, club and mass merchandise stores across the U.S.

In addition to Pure Via,^® consumers can also enjoy Pure Via^® Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar & Stevia Blend, a lower calorie alternative to regular sugar that combines turbinado sugar and stevia plant extract to create a golden brown all-natural sweetener that’s crunchy, sweet and delicious.  Consumers can use both options like sugar to make foods and beverages taste naturally delicious.  They simply spoon, sprinkle, dip or mix the sweetener in coffee, tea and iced tea or in their favorite recipes.  A sweet addition to a healthy lifestyle, both blends are non-GMO*, kosher and suitable for individuals with gluten intolerance.

Discover more at www.purevia.com or www.purevia.com/Jewel-Tunes, and on www.facebook.com/PureViaUS and https://twitter.com/PureVia

About Pure Via^®

Pure Via^® is an all-natural, zero-calorie sweetener this is made from Rebaudioside A (Reb A), the sweetest, best-tasting part of the stevia leaf.  Reb A is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Crafted to be perfect in coffee and herbal tea, Pure Via^® is available in 40- and 80ct. boxes for a suggested retail price of $2.49 and $4.29, respectively.  You can purchase Pure Via^® in the sweetener aisle at grocery, club and mass merchandise stores across the U.S. and Canada.  Pure Via^® is a registered trademark of Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC.

*About Non-GMO

Pure Via^® believes that a food or food ingredient is Non-GMO if it is not the product of bioengineering. Bioengineering means the group of applied techniques of genetics and biotechnology used to cut up and join together genetic material and especially DNA from one or more species of organism and to introduce the result into an organism in order to change one or more of its characteristics. Pure Via^® believes that food ingredients that are derived from GMO plant material should also be deemed GMO. Pure Via^® believes that food ingredients are not GMO if they are produced using enzymes harvested from micro-organisms that are the product of bioengineering.

About Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC

Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC is committed to providing natural sweeteners and to helping people eat better and live healthier, more fulfilling lives.  Formed in 2006, Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC launched its first all-natural sweetener brand, Sweet Simplicity®, in 2007, and the company continues to develop products that are perfectly natural and naturally pure.  Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merisant Company, the maker of Equal® and Canderel® and a global leader in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of tabletop sweeteners, with sales in over 90 countries.  For more information, visit www.wholeearthsweetener.com

About Jewel

From the remote ranch of her Alaskan youth to the triumph of international stardom, four-time Grammy nominee Jewel, hailed by the New York Times as a “songwriter bursting with talents,” has enjoyed career longevity rare among her generation of artists. Whether alone with her guitar or fronting a band of ace musicians, Jewel has always been a charismatic live performer, earning the respect of other singer-songwriters such as Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan and Neil Young, who, not only invited her to open their shows, but mentored her in the early phases of her career. After a tremendous amount of success as a singer-songwriter and over 27 million albums sold, Jewel released a Greatest Hits album in 2013. She also starred as June Carter Cash in the Lifetime biopic “Ring of Fire,” which earned four Emmy nominations. After joining NBC’s “The Sing Off” as a new judge in 2013 she released her much-anticipated follow-up holiday album, “Let It Snow.”  Fans can follow Jewel on facebook https://www.facebook.com/jeweljk and @jeweljk on twitter https://twitter.com/jeweljk

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World’s Highest-Rated Bourbon Will Plant a White Oak Tree for Every Picture Posted This September With the Hashtag #AE4THETREES

Louisville, Kentucky (September 1, 2014) – Louisville Distilling Co. LLC, producers of the highly celebrated Angel’s Envy super-premium bourbon, will Toast the Trees this September (aka National Bourbon Heritage Month), in an effort to fight back against the current bourbon barrel shortage.

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 barrels.

This September, the World’s Highest Rated Bourbon is partnering 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]

“We wanted to create a charitable initiative to engage our fans in a fun and meaningful way via social media where they’re already active,” said Samira Seiller, Managing Director of Louisville Distilling Company.  “As Angel’s Envy grows, we realize it’s important to give back.  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.  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 port cask finish, the Company offers Angel’s Envy Cask Strength and Angel’s Envy Rye.  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 Port Cask Finish, 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 enhanced finishing process, Angel’s Envy only released 350 total 9-liter cases in 2013.  The inaugural release in 2012 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 Whiskey, made with 95% rye and 5% malted barley that’s aged for at least 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 with 94/100 points.  Available for the suggested retail price (750ml bottle)of $79.99.

Angel’s Envy is currently building a distillery that will be located in downtown Louisville, on the corner of Main Street and Jackson, bringing the great tradition of Kentucky bourbon-making back to the city.  The new state-of-the-art distillery and brand experience center will make a great starting point for the Bourbon Trail and be open to the public for guided tours.  Louisville Distilling Company expects the new distillery to be up and running in 2015.

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 2014.  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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