Frontier-Inspired Whiskey Partners With Emerging Director To Reveal Untold Story Of American Outlaws

NEW YORK, March 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Westerns may depict the days of yesteryear, but their cultural relevance continues to appear at the forefront of film, music and entertainment. Jeymes Samuel and Bulleit Bourbon this past week debuted the latest interpretation of the American outlaw in They Die By Dawn – a short film that Samuel wrote and directed.

The partnership with Samuel launches an on-going commitment by Bulleit Bourbon to collaborate with emerging artists in film, art and music, who similar to its Founder Tom Bulleit, are passionate about making their visions a reality.  Since establishing the Bulleit Distilling Co. in 1987, Tom Bulleit and his Bourbon (which now includes Bulleit Rye and Bulleit 10 in addition to the original) have won a series of prestigious awards, captured the imaginations of mixologists nationwide and created numerous programs that champion  the promotion of responsible drinking, a topic very close to Tom Bulleit's heart.   

At the core of this venture was Samuel's desire to bring an untold story to life with an all-star cast, including Giancarlo Esposito, Isaiah Washington, Michael K. Williams, Rosario Dawson and Jesse Williams.  Set in Langston, Okla., They Die By Dawn follows four African American outlaws blazing the western frontier to capture the group's collective bounty.

"It was important that every element of this film be as accurate as possible in bringing the stories of Nat Love and Ben Hodge to life," said Samuel.  "Bulleit Bourbon was an integral piece to the film because it embodies the true spirit of that time period as everything from its legendary bottle to the fabled story of its roots aligns with the spirit of the Wild West."

Earlier this year, Samuel also visited the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Kentucky, where he spoke with Tom Bulleit and captured footage to create a first-of-its-kind look at one of America's most beloved frontier whiskies.   Samuel will turn his experience in Bourbon country into a two-minute short showcasing how both he and Tom Bulleit, visionaries in their own respective fields, defied the odds to resurrect unexplored elements of the past and bring them to a mainstream audience.   

"Collaborating with an entertainment pioneer like Jeymes has introduced Bulleit to an audience captivated by creativity at the highest level," said Bulleit.  "We look forward to showcasing the story of our brand – both past and present – through the digital short and film."

After premiering at SXSW, Samuel and Bulleit Bourbon took to New York City with an exclusive screening. 

About Bulleit Distilling Co.
Founded by Tom Bulleit, the Bulleit Distilling Co. was started more than 20 years ago with Bulleit Bourbon, and in March 2011, Bulleit Rye, a straight rye whiskey, was added to the portfolio with critical acclaim. Bulleit Bourbon ranks as one of the fastest-growing Small Batch Bourbons in America, which Tom largely credits to word of mouth recommendations.   Using only the finest ingredients available – the best grains, Kentucky's limestone filtered water, fresh from the Salt River and a special strain of yeast – the 150+ year-old family recipe uses a large amount of rye grain, which gives Bulleit Bourbon a distinctive taste.

About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Windsor, Buchanan's and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray, Guinness, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards Wines.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

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SOURCE Diageo