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Tag: bourbon

  • Livability Rates Lexington, KY a Top 100 Place to Live

    Livability Rates Lexington, KY a Top 100 Place to Live

    Lexington, KY may be known for bluegrass, bourbon, thoroughbreds and UK sports, but it is also in the top 100 best places to live.

    Livability, in partnership with Ipsos, conducted a survey of 1,000 adults across the US to determine what makes up the most desirable traits in a community. The company then ranked over 1,000 cities, ranging from 20,000 to 1,000,000 inhabitants, using 50 different data points.

    Lexington, KY came in at 57 on the list, driven by its dynamic nature and strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. Another major factor is Lexington’s central location, being within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the US population.

    “This year’s list is a testament to loving where you live, in a time where more of us than ever can live anywhere we want,” says Cara Sanders, Livability.com managing editor. “These past two years have shown us how important it is that the places we live meet our needs and offer up affordability, opportunity and plenty of amenities. If we can work from anywhere, then these 100 cities are places you would want to live and make remote workers’ needs a top priority.”

  • Apple Donating Millions of Masks to Medical Personnel

    Apple Donating Millions of Masks to Medical Personnel

    Apple is donating millions of masks to medical personnel across the U.S. and Europe as health professionals grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.

    As the pandemic continues to spread across the U.S., officials have been calling on other industries to help create or provide medical products. Kentucky bourbon makers are making hand sanitizer and auto makers have been called on to help make ventilators.

    In an announcement on Twitter, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company is donating millions of masks to health professionals.

    Our teams at Apple have been working to help source supplies for healthcare providers fighting COVID-19. We’re donating millions of masks for health professionals in the US and Europe. To every one of the heroes on the front lines, we thank you.

    — Tim Cook (@tim_cook) 3/21/20

    Cook doesn’t elaborate on how the company acquired the masks, but Apple’s donation is sure to be appreciated by medical staff on both continents.

  • John Wayne’s Family Sues Duke Univ; UK Fans Drink

    John Wayne is The Duke. Even though he died in 1979, he is still known to fans as The Duke, a nickname he had since childhood.

    Now John Wayne’s heirs are in a legal battle with Duke University over use of the word “Duke” in a product they want to market — a bourbon with John Wayne’s picture on the bottle.

    Apparently, both John Wayne Enterprises and the university hold trademarks to the name “Duke” — as does jazz legend Duke Ellington. On three occasions since 2005, when the Wayne family wanted to license a product, they have had to face the gauntlet from the Blue Devil lawyers.

    “Duke University does not own the word ‘Duke’ in all contexts for all purposes,” the Wayne lawsuit says. “Duke is a common word that has been used for centuries in a wide array of commercial and other applications wholly independent of Duke University. Yet by the actions alleged herein, Duke University seems to think it owns the word ‘Duke’ for all purposes and applications.”

    The family argues that Duke University has never been in the business of selling alcohol. They want a judge to agree that both parties can use the name without having to endure a barrage of legal maneuvering from the other every time they do.

    Duke University responded by saying, “While we admire and respect John Wayne’s contributions to American culture, we are also committed to protecting the integrity of Duke University’s trademarks. As Mr. Wayne himself said, ‘Words are what men live by; words they say and mean.’”

    The bourbon the Wayne’s want to license the Duke likeness and name to is a small batch Kentucky straight bourbon. Had Duke University never said a word against the bourbon, and given the long-standing rivalry between Kentucky and Duke on the basketball court, it is questionable as to whether UK fans would have bought a bottle of anything that said “DUKE” on the label. But now the enemy of my enemy may become my friend. Perhaps we can expect to see support from Wildcat fans and bourbon lovers.

    Image via YouTube

  • Mila Kunis Joins Forces With Jim Beam To Be The New Face Of The Brand

    Jim Beam is looking to get an edge on its competition in the advertising department by signing Mila Kunis to be the new face of their brand.

    With her influence as one of the sexiest actresses in Hollywood, she may help to attract new people to their brand. The first campaign picture with Mila Kunis was released recently, and it has sparked the interest of many.

    Mlia Kunis gained her initial fame while appearing on the popular television series That 70’s Show, and has since appeared in several films, including the Oscar nominated Black Swan.

    She has also appeared in a handful of comedies including Friends With Benefits and Ted. She is also set to appear in the upcoming film Jupiter Ascending.

    The news of Mila Kunis joining the brand in order to promote them during an new campaign was announced by Jim Beam on their Twitter page on Wednesday. She will be a global partner and spokesperson for the brand, a bourbon that is made in Kentucky, and has been around for a long time.

    In her first campaign picture, she wore a pair of ripped jeans and a causal sweater, perhaps to appeal to the type of people who drink Jim Beam, although her partnership could open the door to even more people wanting to try the classic drink. She was also wearing a pair of black boots as she posed in front of the Jim Beam distillery in the Clermont, Kentucky.

    Kevin George, the senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Jim Beam Inc. spoke of the new partnership with Mila Kunis when saying “Mila’s love of bourbon, her appreciation for the authenticity of our brand, her warm personality and her global relevance to our Make History campaign make her the perfect partner.”

    Kunis further talked about her excitement and said that “As a fan of bourbon and a huge proponent of making history, I am thrilled to be the newest member of the Jim Beam family.”

    Jim Beam is one of the oldest establishments that makes bourbon, and was founded in 1795. This marks their first ever global marketing campaign.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC_35SsHANM

    Mila Kunis is a big fan of Jim Beam, and is excited to make her debut with the company in three television commercials in the U.S. that will start to air in mid-February. The spots will continue to air worldwide over the next few months.

    Image via Twitter

  • Mila Kunis New Face of Jim Beam Bourbon

    Mila Kunis–love interest of Two and a Half Men star Ashton Kutcher–is the new face of Jim Beam Bourbon. The first time the company has launched a global campaign, they no doubt wanted a pretty and recognizable face as their spokesperson–and they’ve found exactly that in the pretty Black Swan star.

    “Mila’s love of bourbon, her appreciation for the authenticity of our brand, her warm personality and her global relevance to our Make History campaign make her the perfect partner,” Kevin George, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Beam Inc. said.

    “As a fan of bourbon and a huge proponent of making history, I am thrilled to be the newest member of the Jim Beam family,” Kunis added.

    Jim Beam was all too happy to share word of their new contract with Mila Kunis via a Twitter announcement on Wednesday.

    In addition to her role in Black Swan, Mila Kunis is the voice behind Family Guy’s Meg Griffin. She also starred–along with Ashton Kutcher–in the hit TV show That 70s Show.

    Jim Beam was founded back in 1975. The American whiskey is made in Clermont, Kentucky. The company makes and sells several kinds of bourbon in addition to other spirits. They also sell a variety of food products that feature bourbon as an ingredient.

    It certainly appears as thought the affiliation between Mila Kunis and Jim Beam Bourbon is a good and mutual one. She is no doubt being paid handsomely for touting the merits of their bourbon–and claims she likes it. Honest advertising is always the best–don’t you think? And who better could Jim Beam have gained for their international ad campaign than a beautiful woman who actually enjoys drinking their bourbon? It sounds like an all around win-win situation–and maybe Ashton Kutcher will get a complimentary bottle every now and then, too.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Mila Kunis Is The New Face Of Kentucky Bourbon

    Mila Kunis may be more well known for her film roles and highly-touted relationship with Ashton Kutcher than for what she drinks, but all that will change soon, as she’s just been made spokesperson for bourbon brand Jim Beam.

    Beam was recently bought by the Japanese company Suntory–which some of you will recognize from the Bill Murray film “Lost In Translation”–for $13.62 billion, and while many were afraid the buyout would cut jobs in Kentucky, where the bourbon is made, the company says it’s actually just the opposite.

    They’ve [Suntory] indicated there will be no threat to local jobs. As a matter of fact, Beam is growing quite a bit, especially the bourbon segment,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said.

    Kunis will be representing an ad campaign called “Make History”, which will see her in three different commercials in the coming year. She recently toured the distillery in Clermont, Kentucky and said she’s excited to be a part of the company’s rich history.

    “As a fan of bourbon and a huge proponent of making history, I am thrilled to be the newest member of the Jim Beam family,” she said.

    “We’re excited to announce today the launch of Make History, the first truly global advertising campaign for Jim Beam,” said Matt Shattock, president and CEO of Beam Inc. “This multi-year campaign reflects sharp global consumer insights, continued substantial investment in the growth momentum of our flagship brand, and our sustained commitment to the attractive and fast-growing Bourbon category around the world. Make History™ is a big brand idea that resonates with consumers across global markets.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark Acquired By Japanese Company

    Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark are just two of America’s favorite liquors that will now be produced under the ownership of a Japanese beverage company, Suntory Holdings Ltd. The $13.62 billion deal was announced Monday after Beam Inc. agreed to be sold to Suntory. Upon the announcement, shares of Beam Inc. rose 24% on Monday.

    Beam Inc., headquartered in Chicago, produces many of America’s most famous brands of bourbons and whiskeys: Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Basil Hayden’s, Knob Creek, Booker’s, Baker’s, and Canadian Club. The company says they will continue production in Chicago with Beam’s current staff.

    Beam Inc. spokesman Clarkson Hine says that Suntory wants the company to carry on “business as usual,” and “continue doing what we’re doing” for now. Beam also assures drinkers that there will be no changes made to their favorite beverages in light of the acquisition.

    The deal still needs approval from Beam Inc. stockholders and is expected to be finalized in the second quarter of the year.

    Not everyone is happy about the merger, however; many patriotic Americans believe the deal will tarnish the uniqueness of bourbon and whiskey, whose roots are based in Kentucky and Tennessee.

    Many of the most outraged U.S. citizens have taken to social media, such as Twitter, to vent their anger and frustration over the merger. Some have even vowed to never drink Jim Beam or Maker’s Mark again. Comedian Ron White, known for his love of scotch while performing, even commented on the news, saying the deal is “un-American.”

    Main image courtesy @jimbeamofficial via Twitter.

  • Jim Beam Acquired By Suntory Holdings Ltd.

    Jim Beam Acquired By Suntory Holdings Ltd.

    The Japanese beverage company, Suntory Holdings Ltd., has recently acquired the world-famous Kentucky Jim Beam company that manufactures Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark alcohol. The purchase came with a hefty $13.62 billion price tag and comes at a time when the global market is high for US whiskeys. In fact, the US whiskey industry exports roughly $1 billion — an amount that is double the amount of US whiskey exports from the last decade. According to Distilled Spirits Council spokesman Frank Coleman, “We’re basically in the middle of a global whiskey renaissance.”

    The recent purchase will not cause any immediate drastic results in relation to the composition of the product itself or the management of the overall company. “It’s business as usual,” Jim Beam spokesman Clarkson Hine said before adding that Suntory Holdings Ltd. has instructed employees to “keep doing what we’re doing.”

    Landor Associates managing director Allen Adamson spoke about the benefits of being bought by a larger company with more widespread financial resources, and explained that the product can still remain popular within the American market. “The trick is to maintain its authenticity, and not muck with the core elements,” Adamson said.

    Funds to support the deal on behalf of Suntory are being made by The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. Suntory Holdings Ltd. is a privately-held company that was founded in 1899, and is credited with producing and selling Japan’s first whiskey. The Beam shares will be acquired for $83.50 per share.

    In a recent interview with Forbes, Beam president and CEO Matt Shattock spoke about the recent acquisition. “Together we will be a global leader in distilled spirits with the #3 position in premium spirits and a dynamic portfolio across key categories. With particular strength in Bourbon, Scotch, Canadian, Irish and Japanese whiskey, the combined company will have unparalleled expertise and portfolio breadth in premium whiskey, which is driving the fastest growth in western spirits.”

    Image Via Wikimedia Commons

  • Bourbon Heist: 65 Cases of Pappy Van Winkle Stolen

    As Zac Brown sings, “The whiskey’s gone.” Someone in Frankfort, Kentucky must like Pappy Van Winkle bourbon an awful lot because they made off with 65 cases (195 bottles) of the rare bourbon, which is valued at over $25,000. Nine cases of Pappy Van Winkle rye were also missing.

    The 20-year-old Pappy Van Winkle bourbon is hard to get (unless you’re a master thief, anyway). “We get phone calls from people asking, ‘Do you have Pappy in stock?’” said Bill Thomas, owner of the Jack Rose Dining Saloon, where a two-ounce shot of 20-year-old Pappy Van Winkle will set you back $65.

    Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton, who is leading the investigation, says that the bourbon is “highly coveted” and is “the best of the best.” Melton says that he is “being told that it’s going for $300-$400 a bottle, if you can find it.”

    The sheriff thinks that the Pappy Van Winkle bourbon heist, which occurred at a warehouse at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, is probably an inside job. “We believe whoever did this took them out the back from the secured area over a period of two months” Melton said. “I don’t think anyone could walk out with 74 cases of bourbon. Obviously, the way this happened, it’s indicative of an inside job.”

    Sean Brock, the owner of Husk Restaurants in Nashville and Charleston, S.C., has his own theory of how the bourbon was stolen. “I’m pretty sure it was George Clooney and the boys from Ocean’s 11,” Brock said.

    Bourbon aficionados are heartbroken, no joke. Pappy Van Winkle bottles fly off the shelves and even the super rich have a hard time finding the bourbon. “We have people with literally billions of dollars who can’t find a bottle,” said Julian Proctor Van Winkle III, the current head of the Wan Winkle family dynasty. “They could buy a private jet in cash. They’d have an easier time buying our company.”

    If you were going to toast the stole bourbon, what would you use? Respond below. (And if you say “Pappy Van Winkle,” prepare to have Sheriff Melton come knocking on your door.)

    [Image via Twitter]

  • Finally, The Maker’s Mark Debacle Gets A Taiwanese Animation Video

    Next Media Animation (NMA) has put out a new video chronicling the big Maker’s Mark “dilution disaster” (which has now been resolved, as the distiller backtracked on its original plans following customer outrage).

    NMA, which has taken on the John McAfee story, Star Wars Episode VII, Steve Jobs, and recently, Beyonce’s Super Bowl have time show, tells the story as only NMA could:

  • Leonardo DiCaprio’s Asian Market Jim Beam Ad

    Well, this exists. As a native Kentuckian, I’m happy to see Leo shilling bourbon. But as a native Kentuckian, I wish that Leo would shill better bourbon. #Kentuckyproblems.

    [via BuzzFeed]