Monday April 14, 2008
Louisville wins title: Twin City of Bushmills in America
City Awarded $40,000 for Cultural Events and to Promote Responsible Drinking
Louisville today was declared the winner in the search for the Twin City of Bushmills in America. In addition to the Twin City title, Louisville also takes home a $40,000 grand prize – $20,000 for the advancement of local culture and $20,000 to support responsible drinking.
Gordon Donoghue, Master Distiller of BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey, presented Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson with the $40,000 grant for the City of Louisville.
“We’re excited that Louisville has won the stiff competition to be the twin city of Bushmills,” said Mayor Jerry Abramson. “This distinction provides a great opportunity to share with the world Louisville’s winning personality that mixes small-town pride and hospitality with a big-city spirit that anything is possible.”
Abramson and Donoghue exchanged barrels – Kentucky bourbon and BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey – signifying the partnership between Bushmills and Louisville, two of the great bourbon and whiskey capitals of the world.
Abramson said $20,000 of the Bushmill’s grant will help fund two of Louisville’s signature festivals, the Louisville Irish Fest and WorldFest. The remaining $20,000 will support responsible drinking programs in Louisville.
As part of a celebration honoring the 400th anniversary of the original license to distill granted to the Bushmills region – home of BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey – Bushmills searched for its Twin City in America. After narrowing the search to three finalist cities, Louisville, Boston and Portland, Me., Bushmills asked Americans to choose the winner by voting online at Bushmills400years.com. More than 55,000 votes were cast, and Louisville emerged the clear champion.
Donoghue, who visited all three Twin City finalists earlier this year, was declared an honorary citizen of Louisville and given the title of Kentucky Colonel during his last visit to the city. “All three finalist cities have such great Bushmills spirit, but after spending time in Louisville and experiencing its charm and personality first hand, I’m certain that Americans made a great choice in Louisville,” Donoghue said. “We’re looking forward to developing a long lasting Twin City relationship.”
In 2008, BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey will celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the original license to distill, granted to the Bushmills region by King James I in 1608. BUSHMILLS Irish Whiskey continues to be crafted with time-honored skills and traditions, true to the history and spirit of Ireland’s oldest whiskey distillery.
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