In a ceremony recognizing the leaders in the Louisville business community, Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc. was named Louisville Business First’s 2014 Very Large Business of the Year. Louisville’s Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. was nominated alongside Delta Dental of Kentucky and Texas Roadhouse Restaurants. It was the second straight year in which the company was nominated for the award.
“We are particularly honored to be recognized by the Louisville Business Community as one of the leading businesses in Louisville and Southern Indiana,” said Max L. Shapira, president of Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc. “As we begin to celebrate the 80th anniversary of our company’s founding, this award is particularly appreciated. Our third generation of family ownership is committed to upholding the values and qualities shared by all of the community’s leading businesses.”
Heaven Hill Distilleries was recognized by the publication for the development of Louisville’s first stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience® on Main Street, sales growth of key spirits brands such as Evan Williams Bourbon and Burnett’s Vodka, and a host of new product innovations and acquisitions.
The selection process began with Business First readers, who nominated companies and nonprofit organizations, which achieved excellence in the last year to 18 months. The Business First editorial team chose 18 finalists — three each in six categories. The final job of choosing the winners in each category was entrusted to a panel of outside expert judges.