Beam Global Spirits & Wine Extends its Distribution Agreement with Rndc for Indiana

July 23, 2010

Continued Growth Planned for Beam Global Portfolio

Deerfield, Ill. – July 23, 2010 – Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO)], the leading American spirits company, announced today to extend their agreement for Republic National Distributing Co. (RNDC) to distribute its products in the state of Indiana. For the past 37 years, National Wine & Spirits distributed Beam Global spirits products in Indiana, but in March 2010, RNDC agreed to acquire certain Indiana assets of National Wine & Spirits. RNDC is the second largest distributor of spirits and wines in the U.S.   

The agreement forecasts an enhanced focus of resources and attention of both companies to grow share in Indiana, where the Beam Global portfolio of products already represents one-in-three spirits bought in the state, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS). 

“Consumers in Indiana have made Jim Beam the number one Bourbon in the state,” said Bill Newlands, president of Beam Global’s U.S. business. “We look forward to further expanding our Hoosier business through our continued partnership with RNDC.”

The Beam Global portfolio includes leading brands such as Jim Beam® Bourbon, Red Stag® by Jim Beam, Hornitos™ Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Maker's Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum and DeKuyper® Cordials and Liqueurs. 

“We are proud that, together, RNDC and Beam Global will continue to offer world-class premium brands to the Indiana retailers and consumers without disruption. RNDC brings

‘best-in-class’ sales and marketing practices to enhance and support our new team,” said President RNDC-USA Tom Cole.

“As the leading American spirits company, Beam Global is focused on growing our business through a bold approach to innovation, advertising and market activation,” Newlands said. “Our alignment with RNDC in Indiana represents just one more way we can add to that growth.”

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, 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.

RNDC is the second largest distributor of premium wine and spirits in the United States with operations in Arizona, Alabama, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. RNDC employs more than 7,000 individuals nationwide.