WineSquire.com - Provenance

Heublein, Inc. In 1982 Heublein was acquired by R.J. Reynolds (now a part of Philip Morris Companies). Heublein was a distilled spirits producer founded in 1875 and sold the first prepared cocktails. Heublein survived Prohibition by selling A-1 Steak Sauce. After World War II, the company transformed U.S. drinking habits by heavily promoting vodka and introducing mixed drinks, such as the Bloody Mary, that used the Russian liquor. In 1971, Heublein acquired the Kentucky Fried Chicken fast-food chain.