Deerfield, Ill. – March 31, 2009 – Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO)], the leading American spirits company, is pleased to announce its 28 medal wins at the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition in addition to being named Importer of the Year. Beam Global’s portfolio of brands took home an impressive 12 Double Gold medals and nine Gold medals. El Tesoro Platinum® swept the tequila category, winning “Best Tequila” and a Double Gold medal. Courvoisier® Exclusif™ tied for “Best Cognac” and also won a Double Gold medal.
“We are honored to have two of the best spirits in their categories and win 28 medals in this year’s competition,” stated Rory Finlay, senior vice president & chief marketing officer, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. “Our dedication to ‘Building Brands People Want to Talk About’ could not be realized without the dedication and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle in our portfolio. I would like to thank all those who are part of crafting our award-winning spirits.”
The following Beam Global Spirits & Wine brands received Double Gold or Gold medals in the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition:
Ardmore® Traditional Cask Scotch Whisky received a Double Gold medal.
Canadian Club® Sherry Cask Whisky was awarded with a Gold medal.
Courvoisier® Exclusif™ tied for Best Cognac and received a Double Gold medal along with Courvoisier® VS. Courvoisier® VSOP was honored with a Gold medal.
A Double Gold medal and Best Tequila were awarded to El Tesoro Platinum® tequila. El Tesoro™ Reposado and El Tesoro™ Añejo also received Double Gold medals while El Tesoro™ Paradiso® won a Gold medal.
Jim Beam® Bourbon, the world’s number one selling Bourbon, was awarded with a Gold medal while Jim Beam Black® Bourbon was honored with a Double Gold medal.
Laphroaig® Scotch whisky added to its awards collection with a Double Gold medal for Laphroaig® 10 Year Cask Strength. Laphroaig® 10 Year Old, Laphroaig® Quarter Cask and Laphroaig® 25 Year Old all won Gold medals.
Old Grand Dad® Kentucky Straight Bourbon received a Double Gold medal.
In its inaugural year, (rA From The Small Batch Bourbon Collection®, Baker’s® and Booker’s® both received Double Gold medals. Basil Hayden’s® and Knob Creek® won Gold medals.
The 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition was held on March 21 and 22 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. The international competition is held annually and inspires more than 870 spirits entries from around the world. Judging is based on blind taste tests and medals are awarded based on taste alone.
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.