Beam Global's Scotches and Bourbons Bring Home Gold

August 04, 2009

CONTACTS:

Dan Cohen

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.

847-948-8888

dan.cohen@beamglobal.com

Lauren Dyke

Qorvis Communications

202-683-3204

ldyke@qorvis.com

Beam Global’s Scotches and Bourbons Bring Home Gold

Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky Portfolio and Baker’s® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Nab Top Honors at 2009 International Wine & Spirits Competition

Deerfield, Ill. – August 4, 2009 – Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO)], the leading American spirits company, is pleased to announce the receipt of four gold medals and the “Best in Class” distinction at the 2009 International Wine & Spirits Competition. Laphroaig® 10 Year Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky, Laphroaig® 10 Year Cask Strength Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky, Laphroaig® 25 Year Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky and Baker’s® Kentucky Straight Bourbon all received top honors.

“We are proud to accept the accolades given to our brands by the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition,” said Rory Finlay, senior vice president and global chief marketing officer, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. “The continued success of our portfolio in global tasting competitions supports the Beam Global vision of ‘Building brands people want to talk about.’ These honors validate the world-class care, craftsmanship, and dedication that go into creating our great-tasting products.”

“The medals awarded by the International Wine & Spirits Competition are a testament to the quality we put into each bottle of Laphroaig, and confirms our position as one of the most revered spirits in the world,” said John Campbell, master distiller, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky.

In addition to the Gold “Best in Class” wins, Beam Global also received the following medals:

Laphroaig® Quarter Cask, Ardmore® 30 Year and Ardmore® 25 Year were awarded Silver “Best in Class” distinctions.
Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon and Booker’s® Bourbon both received Silver “Best in Class” distinctions.
(rî)^1™ Whiskey, Beam Global’s first ultra-premium rye whiskey, took home a Silver “Best in Class” honor in its inaugural year.
From the Sauza® Tequila Family, Hornitos™ Añejo was also awarded Silver “Best in Class.”
The super-premium Tres Generaciones® Tequila line took home two silver medals for Tres Generaciones® Plata and Tres Generaciones® Añejo.
Courvoisier® VSOP Cognac was recognized with a gold medal while Courvoisier® VS Cognac, Courvoisier® Exclusif™ Cognac, Courvoisier® XO Imperial Cognac, and Courvoisier® Initiale Extra Cognac all received silver medals.
Ardmore® Traditional Cask, Knob Creek® Bourbon, Jim Beam® Bourbon, and Jim Beam Black® Bourbon were all honored with silver medals.

The annual International Wine & Spirit Competition was founded in 1969. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits and liqueurs through a rigorous two stage judging process of professional blind tasting, and detailed (chemical and microbiological) analysis that takes place at the competition's headquarters in Surrey, United Kingdom.

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine

Inspiring conversations around the world, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. is building brands people want to talk about. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker's Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, EFFEN® Vodka, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, Teacher's® Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs and Knob Creek® Bourbon. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), a leading consumer brands company recently named one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

drink smart.

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