Latest news with #Zamanian
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Jay Ellis And Rabbit Hole Blend Whiskey And Art In New Collaboration
Jay Ellis drinking a cocktail with Rabbit Hole in it. For actor and producer Jay Ellis, whiskey has always been more than a drink. 'It reminds me to savor the moments we have with people,' said the actor known for his roles in Insecure and Top Gun: Maverick. 'So much of it, for me, happens around connection — with friends, family, people I work with.' That ethos of presence, creativity, and storytelling now lives in a bottle, thanks to a new limited-edition single barrel release that is a collaboration between Ellis and Rabbit Hole founder Kaveh Zamanian. A Meeting of Minds—and Palates The collaboration began with a conversation. Zamanian, a former psychologist turned whiskey entrepreneur, had heard about Ellis's love for bourbon and his passion for storytelling. The two met in Park City, Utah, during the Sundance Film Festival, where Zamanian brought a selection of samples for Ellis to taste. 'We sat and tasted through different options,' Zamanian recalled. 'It was a really collaborative, fun process. We talked about what stood out, what felt distinct. Jay has a great palate and a clear creative vision.' The final selection? A single barrel selection of Dareinger, a riff on a core Rabbit Hole offering that is a wheated bourbon finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks—rich, smooth, and layered. 'You can have it neat or in a cocktail. It's got depth and balance.' Dareringer Single Barrel Pick with Jay Ellis. The Bottle as a Canvas The bottle's design is just as intentional. Created by South Korean fashion illustrator Kasiq Jungwoo Lee, the label features a modern reinterpretation of Lewis Carroll's White Rabbit—complete with a skateboard and an Apple Watch. 'The skateboard came from my daughter,' Ellis said with a laugh. 'She kept asking for one, and my parents finally gave in. So when I saw that detail, it just clicked.' Other elements are persona to Ellis: the green in the rabbit's jacket is Ellis's favorite color, and the green-and-yellow palette nods to his childhood love of the Seattle SuperSonics. The watch, he said, is a symbol of time—how we spend it, and who we spend it with. 'It was a really cool process,' he said. 'They let me have an imprint—my own expression—through the artist. That doesn't happen often with brand collaborations.' Rabbit Hole Distillery Whiskey as Storytelling For Zamanian, openness to creative input is part of Rabbit Hole's DNA. Since founding the distillery in Louisville in 2012, he's made it a mission to challenge convention—not just in whiskey-making, but in how the industry presents itself. 'I wanted to make manufacturing look attractive,' he said during a recent tour of the Rabbit Hole facility. 'We designed the distillery to be transparent, beautiful, and educational. Every step of the process is visible.' That philosophy extends to the brand's core releases, each of which is named with intention and rooted in local history or personal meaning:Cavehill, a four-grain triple malt bourbon, pays homage to generations of Louisville distillers and the historic Cave Hill Cemetery, where many of bourbon's pioneers are a high-rye bourbon, honors Christian Heigold, a German immigrant and stonemason who settled in Louisville after the Civil War and carved patriotic symbols into his home as a response to anti-immigrant a sour mash rye, celebrates Louisville's rich boxing heritage and the city's legacy of turning local talent into world a sherry-cask finished bourbon, is a tribute to Zamanian's wife—'the daring ringer' who inspired him to take the leap into whiskey-making. 'Every name tells a story,' Zamanian said. 'It's not just about drinking—it's about connection, about learning something new.' Zamanian is known for telling lesser-known stories in whiskey. He's also behind Mary Dowling Whiskey, named after an unsung historic female distiller, and co-authored a book about her. One of the most striking features of the distillery, where both Rabbit Hole and Mary Dowling is made, is a commissioned art piece by Brooklyn-born artist Jeremy Dean. Created in response to Executive Order 13769, which banned travel from several Muslim-majority countries, the piece weaves together threads from the U.S. flag and the flags of the banned nations. It's a quiet but powerful statement about inclusion and identity. 'We don't preach,' Zamanian said. 'We live by example. Art is one way we express our values.' Jay Ellis, Kaveh Zamanian Supporting the Next Generation That commitment to creativity and community is also what drew Ellis to the partnership. Through his short film program, Intrinsic, Ellis supports emerging filmmakers by funding and mentoring their first projects. Rabbit Hole is now contributing to that mission by donating camera equipment and offering additional support to selected filmmakers. 'There are so many barriers for young artists,' Ellis said. 'If you can help open one door, that can change everything.' Zamanian agreed. 'We started sponsoring Sundance because we believe in that ecosystem—of discovery, of giving people a shot. This partnership with Jay is a natural extension of that.' A Shared Vision Both Ellis and Zamanian are outsiders who found their way into traditional industries—Hollywood and Kentucky bourbon, respectively—and brought fresh perspectives with them. Their collaboration is a testament to what can happen when creativity, intention, and craft come together. 'This isn't just about whiskey,' Zamanian said. 'It's about creating something meaningful.' Ellis echoed the sentiment. 'It's personal. It's about savoring the moment, telling stories, and building something that lasts.' The collaboration ($125) is available at Rabbit Hole Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky for a limited time.
Khaleej Times
28-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Trump's gold card: Is time running out for prospective UAE investors to get permanent US visa?
High-net-worth individuals in the UAE and across GCC who want to become permanent US residents within a short period of time, are now in a race against time following the recent announcement by US President Donald Trump to replace the existing EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme with 'gold card'. Trump said the 'new gold visa' — a pricier version of the traditional Green Card — could be bought for $5 million (Dh18.35 million) per applicant as a route to American citizenship. "We are going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million. It's going to give you Green Card privileges plus it's going to be a route to (US) citizenship, and wealthy people would be coming into our country by buying this card," Trump said, adding details the scheme will come out in two weeks. What does this mean for UAE residents and prospective US immigrants? Dubai-based US attorney and legal director of The American Legal Centre Shai Zamanian explained to Khaleej Times: 'The announcement, made by Trump at the White House alongside Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, comes as a major shift in US immigration policy. The EB-5 programme, which currently allows foreign investors to secure a Green Card through an $800,000 investment in a US job-creating project, may soon be eliminated entirely,' he noted. The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme, administered by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), was created by the US Congress in 1990 to "stimulate the US economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. Direct payment with no potential return Under the new Gold Card scheme, individuals will need to pay a non-refundable $5 million fee directly to the US government, with no investment returns or job creation requirements. 'For high-net-worth individuals in the UAE and across the Middle East, this policy shift presents a critical decision point. The EB-5 programme has long been a preferred pathway for UAE-based investors seeking US residency for their families, providing access to world-class education, healthcare, and business opportunities,' noted Zamanian. He added: 'If the Trump Gold Card replaces EB-5, the cost of obtaining a US Green Card will increase by 525 per cent, making it far less accessible for many who were considering the EB-5 route. Investors who previously planned to leverage their business capital through EB-5 will no longer have the opportunity to recover their funds, as the Gold Card requires a direct government payment with no potential return on investment.' 'Trump's attempt to end EB-5 will face significant legal hurdles and is unlikely to succeed without Congressional approval,' he added. Lock in Green Card applications now Given the risk of uncertainty, Zamanian advised: 'It's best for investors to file petitions as soon as possible to lock in their Green Card under the current rules before any changes. The law is clear that petitions filed before any changes are protected.' 'For families in the UAE who have been exploring US immigration options, time is running out, he underscored. 'Applications for the EB-5 programme must be filed within the next two weeks to ensure eligibility before the programme is potentially terminated.' 'We are expediting EB-5 applications for UAE residents before any legislative changes take effect. We are actively advising investors to file immediately to secure their US Green Card at the current $800,000 investment threshold before it potentially disappears,' Zamanian added. Congressional stamp required Rayad Kamal Ayub, managing director of UAE-based Rayad Group's Immigration Company, meanwhile, underscored: 'Trump's proposal will have to be passed by the US Congress.' 'Trump's announcement changes nothing as far as EB-5 programme is concerned,' Ayub said, pointing out former US President Joe Biden on March 15, 2022 signed the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022. 'This legislation introduced requirements for the EB-5 immigrant visa category and extends the authorisation for immigrant visas under the Regional Centre Programme until September 30, 2027,' Ayub explained, noting 'the EB-5 programme was established by the US Congress in 1990, and every few years it has been extended.' Ayub said there are more than 545 regional centres registered with the USCIS. 'They have on-going development projects. The EB-5 programme can only be annexed with the Act passed by the Congress. This is unlikely to pass because for every House Representative or Senator, the question is always about jobs in their constituencies.' Ayub, however, noted their regional centres and partners 'have seen sudden spurt of inquiries in last few days.' 'The oldest (1984) Citizenship by Investments by St Kitts and Nevis represented by our company world-wide has also seen a huge number of inquiries increase because of the uncertainty caused by Trump's announcement,' he added. 'Trump's proposal might pass but there would be hardly any takers. The $5 million price tag – please bear in mind – it's not investment but sort of donation,' said Ayub.
