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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