FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 8, 2008

 

 

CONTACT:
Cara Bernosky
IMC Licensing
502.589.7655
cbernosky@imclicensing.com

 

Larry Kass

Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
502.413.0220
lkass@heaven-hill.com

 

 

HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES AND MCILHENNY COMPANY ANNOUNCE LICENSING AGREEMENT AND LAUNCH OF TABASCO™ SPICY TEQUILA

 

First ever spirits product branded with world-famous TABASCO^® brand Pepper Sauce launches in September.

BARDSTOWN, KY—Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc., the nation’s largest independent family-owned spirits supplier, has announced a licensing agreement with McIlhenny Company of Avery Island, Louisiana, creator of TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce, to produce TABASCO™ brand Spicy Tequila and launch in select markets in September.  Created from premium tequila flavored with the authentic and iconic TABASCO brand Pepper Sauce, TABASCO brand Spicy Tequila is a unique and perfectly balanced marriage of the highest quality tequila with the hot, spicy and bold TABASCO kick.

This will mark the first time in the brand’s storied 140-year history that the McIlhenny family has licensed TABASCO brand Pepper Sauce in the distilled spirits category, and TABASCO brand Spicy Tequila is the perfect fit.  Ideal as a spicy shooter, or as a base for a range of bold cocktails that will “heat up the night”, TABASCO brand Spicy Tequila will be available in a striking proprietary 750ml package that features the highly recognizable TABASCO “Diamond” logotype graphic on the face label, with red and gold foil flames rising behind to the edges of the rectangular border. 

“We are tremendously excited about the prospects of TABASCO brand Spicy Tequila and this licensing agreement with McIlhenny Company,” stated Heaven Hill Distilleries president Max L. Shapira.  “Like our company, McIlhenny is family-owned and independent, so this is a partnership built on commonalities and mutual benefits.”  Paul C. P. McIlhenny, president and chief executive officer of McIlhenny Company, added “TABASCO brand Pepper Sauce and Tequila have been served together for a long time…it is a complementary taste combination that has been enjoyed all over the world.  Now TABASCO brand Spicy Tequila makes it even easier to savor this great pairing.”

Offered at a suggested retail price of $21.99 for the 750ml bottle, TABASCO brand Spicy Tequila will be available beginning in September in Dallas, Houston, Georgia, Indiana and North Carolina.  The brand will be supported by a full range of on- and off-premise point-of-sale material, including a branded website www.TABASCOtequila.com, all utilizing the “Heat Up the Night” tagline and graphics.

McIlhenny's licensing agency, IMC Licensing, presented this opportunity to McIlhenny Co.

Founded in 1934, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. (www.heaven-hill.com) is the nation’s largest independent, family-owned marketer and producer of distilled spirits products. Aging in its facilities is the second largest holding of Kentucky whiskey in the world. Heaven Hill's diversified portfolio includes: The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Whaler's Rum; Burnett's Gin and Vodkas; Dubonnet Aperitif; PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur; Água Luca Brazilian Rum Cachaça, Scotch Whiskies; Canadian Whiskies; vodka; gins; rums; tequilas; cognacs; liqueurs; cordials; and dessert wines. Heaven Hill is based in Bardstown, KY.

Heaven Hill reminds you to “Think Wisely. Drink Wisely.”

TABASCO® is a registered trademark for sauces and other goods and services; TABASCO, the TABASCO bottle design and label designs are the exclusive property of and licensed by McIlhenny Company, Avery Island, LA, USA 70513.  www.TABASCO.com TABASCO® Country Store 1-800-634-9599.

IMC Licensing leads the industry with its focused and innovative approach to brand-building through licensing. We turn the world’s best consumer product brands into great new consumer products. IMC Licensing represents Kraft Foods, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., Lenox and Valvoline among others. For more information, please visit www.imclicensing.com.

 

TABASCO™ Spicy Tequila Recipes

 

TABASCO-Rita
2 oz.     TABASCO™ Spicy Tequila

1 oz.     Orange Liqueur

½ oz.    Lime Juice

Salt

Shake over ice and strain into salt-rimmed Margarita glass.  Garnish with a lime wheel.

 

Spicy Shot

1 oz.     TABASCO™ Spicy Tequila

Salt

Lime Wedge

Fill shot glass with tequila.  Lick salt from hand, drink shot, bite lime.

 

TABASCO Tall

2 oz.     TABASCO™ Spicy Tequila                     

Ginger Ale

Pour tequila over ice in tall glass.  Fill with ginger ale.  Stir gently. Garnish with a lime wheel. 

 

Bloody Maria

1 oz.     TABASCO™ Spicy Tequila

2 oz.     Tomato Juice

1 Dash Lemon Juice

1 Dash Celery Salt

Shake all ingredients with cracked ice and strain into an old-fashioned glass over ice cubes.  Garnish with a lemon slice.  For extra-hot Bloody Maria, substitute TABASCO® Bloody Mary Mix for tomato juice.

 

Tequila Sunburst

1 ½ oz. TABASCO™ Spicy Tequila

1 oz.     Cranberry Juice

3 oz.     Pineapple Juice

Squeeze Lemon Juice

Combine ingredients in a 12 oz. highball glass filled with ice.  Stir and serve garnished with a pineapple wheel.   

###