Bourbon distiller and distributor Heaven Hill is telling people not to buy their Rittenhouse Straight Rye to celebrate the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial.
The company took to Twitter to let people know that they do not want certain customers buying their product.
2/3 There is no link between our Rittenhouse Rye brand, which was started post-prohibition to commemorate Rittenhouse Square, and this case. It is our strongly held belief that in serious matters such as this, where lives were lost and people deeply affected,
— Heaven Hill Brands (@heavenhill) November 21, 2021
In a three-tweet thread, the company said that they “have been disheartened to learn that some individuals and businesses have been using our Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey brand to celebrate the Kyle Rittenhouse case verdict, despite the profound loss of life from those events.”
“There is no link between our Rittenhouse Rye brand, which was started post-prohibition to commemorate Rittenhouse Square, and this case. It is our strongly held belief that in serious matters such as this, where lives were lost and people deeply affected,” the statement continued. “There is no cause for celebration, but instead deep reflection on how we can make the world a more peaceful and respectful place for all.”
A jury of his peers found Rittenhouse “not guilty” for fatally shooting two men and wounding of a third during a riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin in August, 2020.
As people reacted to the verdict, many took the opportunity to show off their Rittenhouse Rye.
Think it is time for some early drinking! Today is a good day.#RittenhouseRye #RittenhouseRyeWhisky #RittenhouseTrial #rittenhouseinnocent #RittenhouseVerdict pic.twitter.com/9bKPYWqRNV
— Mr. Killeverything (@MrKillevrything) November 19, 2021
💥Things you can’t make up!💥 My wife was at the liquor store & the sales people were pushing a rye/whiskey called Rittenhouse. They were selling it at a $3 discount & they are selling like crazy! I can only imagine the merchandising that will happen from here! #KyleRittennhouse pic.twitter.com/l76pGeu3ID
— Bob Bianchi TV Host; Head NJ Co. Prosecutor/DA frm (@RBianchiEsq) November 20, 2021
Some people even used the rye to create their own themed cocktails.
@ebeth360 Not a Manhattan, rather a Kenosha Justice Cocktail for #MinionHappyHour with Rittenhouse Rye and some Wisconsin made cherry liqueur. 🥃 pic.twitter.com/DqB9QeM7rD
— Andy Doebele (@ajdoebele) November 20, 2021
While supportive bars offered drink specials featuring the liquor — until they were censored at least.
So Facebook took this down for dangerous to terroristic persons or organizations. Apparently you cannot advertise liquor anymore. #Rittenhouse #thecannery #fascist #Rittennhouse #rittenhouserye pic.twitter.com/bYoitkmYsk
— Terry mccormack (@therealtfm) November 19, 2021
OK folks, here it is, the Kyle Libre:
4 pts Rittenhouse Rye
2 pts gomme syrup
1 pt Benedictine
1 pt Ferro-KinaStirred but unshaken, garnish with Luxardo cherries pic.twitter.com/Rie58oLfjN
— Whiskeypunk (@Whiskeypunk1) November 20, 2021
Heaven Hill has not responded to the hundreds of conservatives who have now asserted that they will no longer be purchasing their products.
