Beam Global Spirits & Wine Raises a "Bourbon on the Rocks” to Toast Bourbon Heritage Month

What Bourbon cocktails are Americans looking forward to enjoying most during Bourbon Heritage Month? According to a consumer survey released today from the leading American spirits company, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO)], Americans believe that "Bourbon on the Rocks” best captures the heritage of Bourbon, "America’s Native Spirit” as declared by the U.S. Congress in 1964.

Beam Global applauds Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear for signing a proclamation today which recognizes September as "Bourbon Heritage Month” for the third consecutive year. This proclamation honors the deep-rooted legacy of the Bourbon industry in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

In the spirit of this celebratory month and in collaboration with Clarus Research Group, Beam Global Spirits & Wine polled 970 legal purchase aged consumers nationwide asking them which cocktail best honors Bourbon’s 200-plus years of American history. Of those who made a choice, 45 percent selected "Bourbon on the Rocks,” which included 52 percent of male respondents and 39 percent of female respondents. The Manhattan and Old Fashioned each received 21 percent of the vote, while the Mint Julep received 13 percent.

"This survey confirms what so many bartenders already know: Consumers know what they want and how they want it,” said Bobby "G” Gleason, master mixologist, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. "Bourbon is a popular spirit and although its versatility makes it a favorite in mixed drinks, it appears that Americans prefer their Bourbon on the Rocks.”

In addition to the survey, Beam Global also created a Facebook-based personality quiz application to celebrate the month. "Which Bourbon Cocktail Are You?” invites legal purchase aged consumers to discover which Bourbon cocktail best fits their unique personality and style. Legal purchase age consumers can access the quiz at: www.beamglobal.com/cs/quiz beginning September 1.

Two-thirds of the Bourbon made in Kentucky comes from Beam Global’s iconic brands including Jim Beam® Bourbon, the number one-selling Bourbon in the world; Maker’s Mark® Bourbon; Knob Creek®, the number one selling Super-Premium Bourbon; and Booker’s®, Baker’s® and Basil Hayden’s® which round out the rest of The Small Batch Bourbon Collection®. The Bourbon industry provides more than 3,000 jobs in Kentucky and more than $3 billion in gross state revenue. More than 500,000 visitors from all 50 states and more than 25 countries annually tour the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, which includes the Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark distilleries. This year marks the Trail’s 10^th anniversary.

The Kentucky proclamation declaring September to be "Bourbon Heritage Month” calls for consumers who enjoy Bourbon to do so responsibly and in moderation, in Kentucky and across the globe.

The telephone-based survey was conducted among a national probability sample of 970 consumers aged 21 years or older and was completed during the period August 20-23, 2009. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percent.

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®

© 2009 Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., Deerfield, IL