Kelly Gang Inc.'s take on Keith Kelly's controversial St. Patrick's day column:

Keith Kelly did write about Michael Collins whiskey and Sidney Frank Importing in the New York Post business section on Friday as he felt the new product launch was a worthy story and well-timed to the St. Patrick's Day holiday. On the same day, and printed on the same page of the paper, there appeared in Kelly's "Media Ink" column an acknowledgement that Sidney Frank Importing would have a presence at the Kelly Gang Benefit. We regret any confusion that may have been caused by those two items not being run together.

Their response, in full, is after the jump.

Breaking: Keith Kelly, Whiskey and a St. Patrick's Day Scandal? [FishbowlNY]

Dear Fishbowl NY,

Kelly Gang Inc. would like to clarify the role Sidney Frank Importing played in their St. Patrick's Day Benefit held at Michael's on Friday, March 17. Hopefully this will clear up questions some of your readers of the March 17th post, "Keith Kelly, Whiskey and a St. Patrick's Day Scandal?" may have had:

Michael Collins and Sidney Frank Importing were not sponsors and contributed no money to the Kelly Gang Inc. Benefit. Michael's Restaurant gave them category exclusivity at the event, meaning no other whiskey brands would be served. A Michael Collins whiskey tasting bar was set up at the event, however, Michael's bought the whiskey from Sidney Frank to supply their own bars for the evening. The Kelly Gang agreed to let Michael Collins set up the tasting area since their benefit draws a savvy audience and an Irish American demographic that would be interested in a new entree in this niche market. The Kelly Gang and Michael's negotiated a charitable event price for the evening (a rate per person which included food and liquor), and that price did not drop after Sidney Frank's participation was confirmed. The Kelly Gang Benefit was one of a few venues where Michael Collins Whiskey was sampled around St. Patrick's Day.

As always, the intention of the benefit was to raise as much money as possible for the designated charities which this year included two in Hurricane-stricken New Orleans, Operation Helping Hands and Crescent House and, locally, the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.

Keith Kelly did write about Michael Collins whiskey and Sidney Frank Importing in the New York Post business section on Friday as he felt the new product launch was a worthy story and well-timed to the St. Patrick's Day holiday. On the same day, and printed on the same page of the paper, there appeared in Kelly's "Media Ink" column an acknowledgement that Sidney Frank Importing would have a presence at the Kelly Gang Benefit. We regret any confusion that may have been caused by those two items not being run together.

Sincerely,

Rachel Nagler
Vice President, Rubenstein Communications