'Yellowstone' Star Kelly Reilly's Exciting New Role: Whiskey Maker
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When you think whiskey, the first image that comes to mind might be a rugged cowboy nursing a glass after a long day on the ranch. But one Yellowstone star is flipping the script and bringing a bold new perspective to the classic spirit. Kelly Reilly, a whiskey drinker herself, is looking to bring representation to the women who love it just as much as the men.
She's swapping Dutton drama for the distillery and joining forces with award-winning brand Ammunition Wines and Whiskey for a collaboration that she describes as a "renaissance for women." Specifically, the "Soil to Spirit" campaign is a celebration of Ammunition's smooth sips—raising a toast to the ladies who appreciate a good bottle and deserve a bigger seat at the bar.
In announcing the collaboration, Reilly and Ammunition CEO and co-founder Andy Wahl spoke to The Pioneer Woman to share their behind-the-barrel efforts to expand brand awareness. Keep reading to learn why they decided to pair up for this project and why it means so much to both of them. Plus, get a look at how Reilly takes her whiskey and how she relates to her spirits-loving character, Beth Dutton.
On why she partnered with Ammunition Whiskey.
Since 2013, Ammunition Whiskey has been producing spirits that resonate with the people who drink them. Reilly wants to ensure that women know this just as well as men. "I was really excited at their boldness and insightfulness to introduce a bourbon that women would get into. And as a bourbon drinker myself, I was impressed by what they wanted to do with the campaign and I whole heartedly got on board when I realized what their intentions were and why they wanted to partner with me."
CEO Andy Wahl spoke on his excitement for the partnership as well, saying, "Our brand is masculine enough in the name Ammunition and paying tribute to the wild west heritage of America. To have a female spokesperson to be creative with us in the marketing... it seems like the perfect fit." Reilly adds, "I love anybody who's gonna be creative and committed to their own authentic journey, whether it's a TV show or writing or an artist or music or making whiskey. There's something about that that aligns with me."
Ammunition Straight Bourbon Whiskey
On her role in the partnership.
The "Soil to Spirit" campaign shines a spotlight on the rich complexities of whiskey, from how it's made to who drinks it. For Reilly, who is taking on the role of creative visionary and brand storyteller, these things go hand-in-hand. She explains, "There's just something so beautiful, the craftsmanship of how it's made. We've come up with this idea of from 'Soil to Spirit' for my campaign, which I love because the process of how it's made: water, corn, heat, transformation, it's so creative. It's so up my alley."
Reilly continues, "And then you get into the drinking of it and the flavor of it and the warmth of it, and then to spirit, which is where you start to feel elevated and your psyche gets opened up with whiskey. There's something sophisticated and elegant about it and a little bit dangerous, which appeals to me."
As for that creative process, Reilly has played a large role since joining the team. According to Wahl, "All the creative for everything we're coming out with for the next couple years has really been led by her (Reilly) in terms of our whole campaign. We're excited to share it with the rest of the world."
On her goals for the company.
Simply put: "It's like a renaissance for women," says Reilly. "Women have been drinking whiskey throughout time. I mean, I am Irish and English by lineage and my grandmother used to drink whiskey. I had never drunk bourbon before I came to the States and you guys drink it like tea. For me, it's so part of the fabric of American western culture." Because of that, she's eager for this campaign to put Ammunition whiskey in the glasses of women across the country.
Reilly also shares a little secret about what's to come with this collaboration: "I think in the future there might be some special editions potentially that we're thinking about. I certainly want to come up with a drink, a cocktail with Ammunition." While the details of those drinks are under wraps, she tells us that, "I've got a cocktail that I absolutely love that I make with Ammunition because I love drinking it straight as a slow sipping drink, then there's a drink where if I'm out for dinner and I want a cocktail and it's something which I want a couple of, it lends itself."
On how whiskey connects her to Beth Dutton.
It's no surprise that Reilly's partnership with Ammunition Whiskey came about so seamlessly, as the actress has spent the past seven years starring in a hit western drama playing a character who is known to enjoy a glass of whiskey just as much as the cowboys surrounding her. When asked if certain spirits help her channel a character, Reilly laughed, "I play a character who likes to drink, but obviously when I'm working, there's no way I can drink what Beth drinks."
"I just did the press junket for Yellowstone, and one of the questions was, 'Beth drinks a lot and you're so convincing when you drink. Are you drinking?' And I'm like, No... The cigarettes are fake. The drink is fake... It's iced tea and water on screen because I have to do it many times," Reilly tells us. She adds, "When I'm off work and I haven't got work the next day, that's when I like to have my drink."
The "Soil to Spirit" campaign will debut in early 2025. Let's raise our glasses to that!
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