Nine-Year Aging Requirement Amidst Robust Demand Causing Knob Creek(R) Supply Shortage

Nine-Year Aging Requirement Amidst Robust Demand Causing Knob Creek(R) Supply
Shortage
Batch produced in early 2000 depleted from barrels and bottled; next batch
maturing, ready in November

DEERFIELD, Ill., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- With double-digit growth fueling
demand far exceeding early 2000 forecasts, Knob Creek(R) has reached a
temporary shortage. The nation's top-selling Super-Premium Bourbon requires a
nine-year, four-char barrel aging process that sets it apart from the rest --
as evident by its loyal customer base. The next batch of Knob Creek will be
readily available again starting this November.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090707/NY42875 )

Booker Noe, Jim Beam's grandson and the sixth-generation Beam family distiller
who first hand-selected Knob Creek for production, knew the significance
behind the nine-year aging process - a number nearly unheard of in American
whiskey. It is evident in this complex, full-bodied 100 proof Bourbon that
quality reigns supreme. With Knob Creek, Noe set the standard for an entirely
new category: Super-Premium Bourbon. In today's market, the demand for Knob
Creek has far outweighed the supply.

"We could bottle the next batch of Knob Creek a tad earlier than nine years to
satisfy demand, but that just wouldn't be right. Much as we want to keep
product available, like Booker Noe, we would never compromise on quality, or
bottle at lower proof to fill a short-term gap," said Bill Newlands,
president, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, U.S.

"In many ways, a Knob Creek batch running out is the full realization of Mr.
Noe's dream to elevate the spirit he so loved," said Newlands. "We have to
thank our growing ranks of Knob Creek fans for making it so, and to ask their
patience while the next batch fully matures to age nine."

Noe family members today describe that dream as Booker's quest to craft
Bourbons reflecting a master distiller's highest artistry, and watch them grow
as spirits fans came to understand and embrace their rich and full character.

About Knob Creek Bourbon

Knob Creek is aged nine years at a sophisticated 100 proof or 50% alcohol by
volume, and is named after the small town in Kentucky where President Abraham
Lincoln was born. The intriguing taste of Knob Creek and unique flask shaped
packaging has driven this brand to become the number one super-premium Bourbon
in the world. Knob Creek is part of The Small Batch Bourbon Collection(R),
credited with driving growth in the Bourbon category at the high-end. Today,
these ultra-premium Bourbons continue to grow at a faster pace than premium
Bourbons. For more information on Knob Creek and the Whiskey Professors,
visit www.knobcreek.com.

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(R) Bourbon, Sauza(R) Tequila,
Canadian Club(R) Whisky, Courvoisier(R) Cognac, Maker's Mark(R) Bourbon,
Laphroaig(R) Scotch Whisky, Cruzan(R) Rum, EFFEN(R) Vodka, Larios(R) Gin,
Whisky DYC(R), Teacher's(R) Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper(R) Cordials and Liqueurs
and Knob Creek(R) 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.
Knob Creek(R) Bourbon, 50% alc. /vol.
(C) 2009 Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., Deerfield, IL

SOURCE Knob Creek

Paula Erickson, Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., +1-847-948-8888,
paula.erickson@beamglobal.com; or Jim Dowd, The Dowd Agency, +1-212-686-7777,
jim@dowdagency.com