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Heaven Hill Brands Wins ESG Award for $800,000 Community Program

How can a bourbon company transform entire neighborhoods? Heaven Hill's $800,000 Spirited Neighbor Initiative proves that listening first leads to lasting change.
  • Beth Squires is a passionate whisk(e)y enthusiast, writer, and serves as the Deputy Editor at The Whiskey Wash. She is also a current mentee on the OurWhisky Foundation's Atonia Programme.
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Heaven Hill Brands Wins ESG Award for $800,000 Community Program
Spirited Neighbor aims to improve and support communities around its Bernheim Distillery. Credit: Heaven Hill

Heaven Hill Brands has received the 2025 Global Drinks Intel ESG Award for Social Achievement of the Year for its Spirited Neighbor Initiative. The five-year, $800,000 community investment program supports Louisville’s West End and the California Neighborhood surrounding the company’s Bernheim Distillery.

Global Drinks Intel presents the ESG Awards annually to recognize companies advancing environmental, social, and governance priorities.

The Social Achievement Award specifically honors initiatives that promote community wellbeing and social impact.

“This recognition reflects what has always defined Heaven Hill, our belief that success is shared through relationships,” said Kate Latts, Co-President of Heaven Hill Brands.

“Through the Spirited Neighbor Initiative, we’re building stronger, more connected communities. It’s a powerful example of what it means to thrive together.”

Heaven Hill launched Spirited Neighbor in 2023 after conducting surveys and roundtables with local residents, community leaders, employees and partners.

The program operates through three pillars: mental health services and stigma reduction, economic development including financial literacy and workforce training, and education enrichment for youth.

A key component is the Spirited Neighbor Microgrant Program, which distributes up to $50,000 annually to grassroots nonprofits.

Recipients have included organizations focused on youth financial literacy, job readiness training, and school-based mental health counseling.

“Spirited Neighbor represents Heaven Hill’s purpose in action, lifting the human spirit,” said Allan Latts, Co-President of Heaven Hill Brands. “We’re proud to stand alongside the organizations and neighbors creating lasting change in our city.”

A Grant Review Committee oversees the program to ensure transparency, equity, and community connection.

Heaven Hill has operated as one of America’s largest independent, family-owned spirits companies for nearly 90 years.

The company holds the position as the world’s second-largest holder of Kentucky Bourbon.

Heaven Hill’s portfolio includes Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny, and Old Fitzgerald Bourbons, along with Deep Eddy Vodka and Lunazul Tequila.

Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal named Heaven Hill a Best Managed Company in both 2024 and 2025.

Beth Squires

Beth Squires joined Mark Littler Ltd full-time in October 2020 after completing her university degree in English Literature. Since then, she has acquired extensive knowledge about all aspects of whisk(e)y and now holds the position of Deputy Editor at The Whiskey Wash. Beth is passionate about history, industry innovation, marketing, and sustainability. With a special fondness for independently bottled rare scotch, Beth also serves as a whisky bottle investment specialist. Additionally, she is a mentee currently enrolled in the OurWhisky Foundation's Atonia Programme.

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