In my Writing for Public Relations class, we were asked to create several PR documents including a news release.

1. Contact: Hannah Mautz
St. Lucia PR
Tel: 315-546-5595
Email: hmautz@ithaca.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Captain Pierce Rum pours limited edition rum into US markets for 300th
anniversary
CASTRIES, ST. LUCIA, Feb. 27, 2017- Captain Pierce Rum, the oldest rum producer in the
world based in Castries, St. Lucia, is celebrating the company’s 300th anniversary by launching
a new product called Tercentennial Vintages into the U.S. markets. The limited edition rum is a
special blend of Captain Pierce Rum, with vintages dating back to 1935, available in 750 mL size
only. On March 1, the new product will be available at Sherry-Lehmann in New York City and
other fine wine and spirit shops in the U.S. for $3,300. Consumers can look at
www.CaptainPierceRum300.com for more information about where Tercentennial Vintages is
sold and more details on the company’s anniversary.
Only 3,000 bottles of the rare blend will be sold in the U.S. The bottles will be encompassed in a
Baccarat crystal decanter along with two commemorative crystal glasses engraved with the
Captain Pierce Rum logo. The bottle will also be presented in a leather encased, handmade
wooden box lined with velvet and silk. Captain Pierce Rum also celebrates the company’s
anniversary with a new recipe book on cooking with rum and a regatta series, sponsoring 30
sailing regattas worldwide during the upcoming season.
Master Distiller Clive Davis spent nine years experimenting to create this special blend. He said,
“I believe this rum can be enjoyed on its own, similar to premium and rare cognacs or liqueurs.
Mixing this drink with a soft drink or even one ice cube would be deplorable.”
Many rum aficionados will purchase this will purchase this product as an investment, meaning
the bottles will grow even more expensive and even tastier over time. Co-president of Captain
Pierce Rum Ian Pierce said, “Our target audiences are families seeking holiday or birthday gifts
for fathers who have everything, sailors who are avid buyers of Captain Pierce Rum and
collectors of rare wines and spirits.”
Captain Pierce Rum was established 300 years ago on March 1 by Captain Jared Pierce.
Originally from Brighton, England, Captain Jared Pierce was a pirate in the West Indies for
nearly 20 years. Frigate Raven’s Revenge crashed of the shores of St. Lucia where Captain Jared
Pierce settled and changed his ways and set up the distillery. He became a philanthropist and
established Pierce Hospital that still exists today. Captain Jared Pierce was one of the most
influential voices of his time to speak out against the institution of slavery. The Captain Pierce
Foundation still offers college scholarships for local students to study abroad.
-More-

2. Limited Edition Rum into US Markets
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Today, Captain Pierce Rum claims to produce the world’s most exclusive rums and is still
managed by family members. Ian K. Pierce and Fiona Pierce-Webster serve as the co-presidents.
The Pierce family resides in Castries, where they manage the sugarcane plantation. The
headquarters of Captain Pierce Rum also is a tourist attraction in St. Lucia with guided tours of
its 300-year-old plantation manor and distillery set on 33 acres. There are also rum tastings
available and scenic views overlooking the Caribbean Sea for people to enjoy. The headquarters
are open year-round and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Sundays and major holidays. Captain
Pierce Café is also open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Other product lines include
Captain Pierce Rum Extra Old, Captain Pierce Rum Eclipse and Captain Pierce Rum Special
Reserve. For more information, the Captain Pierce Rum general website is
www.CaptainPierceRum.com.
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