Evan Williams Bourbon has found a friendly following in the bass fishing community. The second-largest selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, nationally as well as globally, is also one of the top non-endemic sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series.

The company recently decided to revamp its pro staff. The new Team Evan Williams will consist of Elite Series veteran John Crews and Rookie of the Year front runner Hank Cherry.

Crews, currently ranked among the top 20 anglers in the world, is a seven- time Bassmaster Classic qualifier and has placed 3rd in two Elite Series events so far this year.  He has 17 top ten Elite Series finishes over a 13 year Bassmaster career.

Cherry served notice at this year’s Bassmaster Classic that he is a competitor to be reckoned with. Narrowly missing victory at Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees when a big bass pulled free of his jerkbait, Cherry has all but sealed Rookie of the Year in a class that includes standout pro Jason Christie, the odds-on favorite at said Classic on Grand Lake.

The brand will also have a presence at all other events on the Bassmaster Elite Series and at the consumer exposition shows that accompany all of the fishing tournaments, including next year’s Bassmaster Classic in Birmingham, AL in February.

“Evan Williams has for a number of years made a significant investment in Bassmaster,” stated Susan Wahl, Senior Brand Manager at Heaven Hill.  “The consumer demographics are very positive towards Bourbon and it engenders real brand loyalty, especially for a non-endemic sponsor such as us.  We are pleased to be adding John Crews and Hank Cherry as members of Team Evan Williams and anticipate them appearing often on the weigh-in stage in their Evan Williams logoed uniforms.”

And here’s a cool road trip idea for you this autumn:

To further the brand’s consumer awareness and take advantage of the huge increase in Bourbon tourism and interest in the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, Heaven Hill is opening the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience this fall. Featuring an immersive visitor experience that takes guests back to Evan Williams’ distillery on the banks of the Ohio, which was established over 200 years ago just across Louisville’s Main Street from where the facility will be located, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience will include an artisanal distillery and guided tours and tastings.

John Crews joins Team Evan Williams.