Rabbit Hole Distillery announced its partnership with Jay Ellis, the acclaimed actor and producer celebrated for his standout roles in Paramount’s Top Gun: Maverick and HBO’s Insecure.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the brand’s mission to champion innovation and creativity across both the film and whiskey industries. The partnership features an exclusive contest for aspiring filmmakers and the launch of a limited-edition distillery series whiskey release.
As the Official Bourbon of the Sundance Film Festival, Rabbit Hole champions bold storytelling. To further this mission, Ellis and Rabbit Hole are launching The Creative Spirit Challenge, inviting filmmakers to submit a short video sharing their vision. The grand prize winner receives a Canon EOS R5 C camera and a one-on-one mentoring session with Ellis, while three runners-up win Canon cameras to fuel their creative journeys.
“Something very important to me, and the reason I launched my production company Black Bar Mitzvah, is to help aspiring filmmakers and creatives tell their stories. Partnering with Rabbit Hole and The Creative Spirit Challenge is an exciting opportunity to inspire and empower the next generation of filmmakers to chase their dreams and elevate their craft. I can’t wait to see the incredible talent and stories that will emerge from this initiative.”
The collaboration also includes a limited-edition whiskey release arriving this spring, embodying the artistry and craftsmanship that define both Rabbit Hole and Ellis’ work. Available exclusively at Rabbit Hole Distillery in Louisville, each bottle in this special series celebrates the creative spirit behind whiskey and film.
“At Rabbit Hole, innovation and creativity are at the heart of everything we do,” said Kaveh Zamanian, Rabbit Hole Founder and Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Whiskey Maker.
“Jay Ellis embodies the bold vision and artistry we admire in film, just as we strive to craft each bottle with unparalleled originality and excellence. Together, this partnership will inspire creativity, nurture emerging talent, and push the boundaries of artistry in both whiskey and film.”
Jay Ellis, Kaveh Zamanian
To enter the Creative Spirit Challenge, and for full contest rules, visit www.RabbitHoleDistillery.com/creativespiritchallenge.
No purchase necessary. Must be a legal resident of (50) U.S. or D.C., age 21+. Registration ends 3/31/2025. See official rules at www.RabbitHoleDistillery.com/creativespiritchallenge. Odds of winning based upon number eligible entries received and decisions of judges. No alcoholic beverage is part of any prize award. Void wherever prohibited. Sponsor: Pernod Ricard, 250 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10177.
To keep up with Jay Ellis, follow him on Instagram @jayrellis.
For more information about Rabbit Hole Distillery, visit www.RabbitHoleDistillery.com and follow along on social media @rabbithole.
