FOR RELEASE:            January 31, 2005

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BARDSTOWN, KY--Heaven Hill Distilleries, America's largest independent family-owned distilled spirits producer, has teamed with Irish-owned independents Cooley Distillery, plc and First Ireland Spirits, plc to offer the "true spirits of Ireland" for St. Patrick's Day--Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey and O'Mara's Irish Country Cream.

"At a time when attention turns to all things Irish, we can offer a special trio of authentic Irish spirits that are critically acclaimed, wonderfully packaged and merchandised, and of the highest quality," asserted Kate Latts, Director of Marketing Strategy for Bardstown, KY-based Heaven Hill.  "Plus, these products are not owned by large multi-national conglomerates like so many others--they come from Irish-owned, independent companies who embody the entrepreneurial spirit that represents the new Ireland."

Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey is the number five Irish Whiskey in the United States, according to industry sources. The brand uses the tag line "The Taste of Ireland Past and Present" to underscore the fact that although Kilbeggan was the first independently produced Irish Whiskey to go on sale in the US in 58 years, it is itself a product of John Locke & Co. Distillery of County Westmeath, a distillery which dates back to 1757.  For St. Patrick's Day, Kilbeggan offers retail point of sale and on-premise materials underscoring its Irish heritage and smooth, approachable taste, and, where legal, a special seasonal on-pack featuring a logoed Kilbeggan rocks glass affixed to 750ml bottles.

The Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey is one of a small number of Irish single malt whiskeys, made from pure malted barley produced at a single distillery.  A winner of both the Gold Medal at the International Wine and Spirit Competition and a Silver Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Tyrconnell has a smooth, subtle flavor and delicate dry finish.  For the St. Patrick's Day holiday, Tyrconnell is introducing both new packaging and a new website to support the brand.  The labeling was redesigned in the past six months, and is now being packed in a new gift canister, a gold metal capped tube that carries the famous Tyrconnell label imagery and tells the story of the longshot horse that become both Northwest Ireland's favorite racehorse and the name of its favorite whiskey.  Also just unveiled is an enhanced website, www.tyrconnellwhiskey.com, which offers information on the brand, its heritage, tasting notes, awards and other items of interest to consumers and trade.

In partnership with supplier First Ireland Spirits, Ltd. of Abbyleix, Ireland, Heaven Hill has successfully expanded O'Mara's Irish Country Cream into club stores, chains and other non-traditional distribution points, and, leveraging an aggressive nationwide marketing and sampling program, has achieved double digit sales growth each year the brand has been imported.  O'Mara's is the first Irish Cream to incorporate fine wine in its unique blending process, which provides a distinctly smooth flavor without a hint of the harsh aftertaste usually found in neutral spirit-based creams.  This quality has resulted in O'Mara's receipt of both a silver and bronze medals at the past two San Francisco World Spirits Competition, outperforming the category leader.  O'Mara's offers both retail and on-premise point of sale, all under the tagline "Oh, The Pleasure of O'Mara's."

"For discerning consumers looking for a way to make their St. Patrick's Day both festive and authentically Irish, Kilbeggan, The Tyrconnell and O'Mara's provide revelers an opportunity to enjoy the true independent spirits of Ireland," noted Latts.

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 full line of The Christian Brothers Brandies; Evan Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; HPNOTIQ Liqueur; Whaler's Rum; Burnett's Gin and Vodka; Dubonnet Aperitif; Scotch Whiskies; Irish Whiskeys; Canadian Whiskies; vodka; gins; rums; tequilas; cognacs; liqueurs; cordials; and dessert wines. Heaven Hill is based in Bardstown, Ky.

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CONTACT:
Larry Kass
Director of Corporate Communications
Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc.
(502) 348-3921
lkass@heaven-hill.com

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