Jim Beam Brands Worldwide Names Jim Clerkin SVP & Appoints Him President of Its North American Spirits Business

The appointment follows the company's announcement that it hasadded several premier growth brands previously owned by Allied Domecqto its product portfolio. Brands joining the company's portfolioinclude Canadian(R) Club Canadian whisky, Sauza(R) tequila andCourvoisier(R) cognac. The company remains in constructive discussionswith the Federal Trade Commission regarding its intention to purchaseMaker's Mark(R) bourbon.

"With the acquisition of Allied Domecq spirits and wine brands, weare building a new global leader in the beverage alcohol business,"stated Tom Flocco, president and CEO of Jim Beam Brands Worldwide. "Weare pleased to have top talent such as Jim Clerkin joining our worldclass management team to oversee our North American spirits business."

Mr. Flocco continued, "Jim's long-time industry experience, greatrelationships with distributors and customers, and understanding ofevery angle of the North American spirits business will beinstrumental in leveraging our new super premium portfolio of brands."

Clerkin is expected to oversee Allied Domecq Spirits' NorthAmerican business and brands on behalf of Pernod Ricard and Jim BeamBrands Worldwide through the important holiday selling season toensure continued growth for the combined portfolio of brands. He willtake the helm as president of the North American spirits business forJim Beam Brands Worldwide when the integration of Allied Domecq brandsand their associated assets is further completed. The effective dateis expected to be no later than January 2006.

Prior to his role as president of Allied Domecq Spirits, NorthAmerica, Clerkin was president of Diageo, North America West. He alsohas held senior roles in Europe, including CEO of Diageo's spiritsbusiness in Ireland and previously, chief executive officer ofGilbey's in Ireland.

About Jim Beam Brands

Jim Beam Brands Co. is an operating company of Jim Beam BrandsWorldwide, Inc., the fourth largest spirits company in the world. Witheight of the world's top-100 premium spirits in its portfolio, thecompany's brands hold global leadership positions in key categories,including Jim Beam(R) bourbon; Canadian Club(R) Canadian whisky;Courvoisier(R) cognac, Laphroaig(R) Scotch and Sauza(R) tequila,together with national and regional leaders such as DeKuyper(R)cordials in the United States, Whisky DYC in Spain and Teacher's(R)Scotch in the UK. Jim Beam Brands is also a top-five super-premiumwine company in the U.S., with Clos du Bois(R), the number twosuper-premium wine brand and the award-winning Geyser Peak(R). JimBeam Brands Worldwide, Inc. is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO),a $7 billion leading consumer brands company. For more information onJim Beam Brands, and the Company's sales and distribution partners,please visit www.jimbeambrands.com.