To: NATIONAL EDITORS

Contact: Kate Laufer of Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc., +1-847-948-8888, kate.laufer@beamglobal.com; or Ana Jovancicevic of Handcrafted PR, Inc., +1-347-689-2111, ana@handcraftedpr.com, for Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.

National Sipping Tour Explores Courvoisier's Unparalleled Connection to Napoleon and Showcases Rare Artifacts from The Napoleon Dynasty

DEERFIELD, Ill., Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This month, Courvoisier(R) Cognac one of the world's leading cognac brands, under the Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. [Fortune Brands, Inc.

(NYSE: FO)], umbrella, will embark on the final leg of its national "Courvoisier Sipping Tour." The five-city tour, which commenced this summer in Los Angeles, offers an extraordinary opportunity to elevate the consumer experience by showcasing the connection between the passionate craftsmanship of Courvoisier and the brand's historic, 200-year-old connection to The Great Emperor, Napoleon. Hosted at fine dining destinations by Global Brand Ambassador and Director of Spirits Quality Control, Pierre Szersnovicz, each event features an exclusive tasting of fine cognacs from the Courvoisier portfolio, cognac cocktails made with Exclusif and an exhibition of rare artifacts from The Napoleon Dynasty. The evening culminates in a high-spirited discussion about the brand's exclusive connection to Napoleon. Szersnovicz sheds light on the unparalleled heritage, supreme quality and legendary sipping history of The House of Courvoisier. The tour lands in the Miami area at Turnberry Colony Club in Sunny Isles on October 20th and finishes on October 23rd in New York City at Primehouse New York.

Napoleon's Link to Courvoisier

Napoleon's link to the House of Courvoisier began in 1811, when the Emperor visited the distillery warehouses and enjoyed what he was offered. Legend has it, that upon Napoleon's exile to St. Helena, he took several barrels of cognac with him. This eau-de-vie (literally, water of life) was very much appreciated by the English officers accompanying him who proclaimed it, "The Cognac of Napoleon." Courvoisier's imperial roots did not end with Napoleon. Already recognized as one of the finest cognacs in the world, Napoleon's nephew, Napoleon III, granted Courvoisier cognac the title of "Official Supplier to the Imperial Court" in 1869, solidifying Courvoisier's reputation. It was not long before Courvoisier was the cognac of choice in the royal courts of England, Denmark and Sweden.

The Simon family assumed leadership of Courvoisier in 1909 and immediately began building upon the brand's notable tradition and reputation. They established the Napoleon silhouette that adorns every bottle and introduced the elegant Josephine bottle in 1950 -- elements now recognized as the key facets of Courvoisier's brand identity.

The Sipping Tour provides brand loyalists with an exclusive opportunity to explore this brand's historic connection to Napoleon. Further illustrating the idea of this intimacy, Courvoisier is offering an unprecedented glimpse into the private life of Napoleon through a traveling "Sipping Tour" exhibition of the following rare personal artifacts:

Silver cutlery and cup - Martin-Guillaume Biennais - 1798-1809

-- Napoleon used these items at his last battle -- Waterloo, on June 18, 1815. They were retrieved from the Emperor's personal carriage by Marshal Gebhard von Blucher. -- It is very rare for any of Napoleon's personal silver to survive; most of it was melted down following the restoration of the Bourbons.

Napoleon's plate used while on campaign - Martin-Guillaume Biennais - c. 1798-1809

-- The Emperor first used this plate during the campaigns leading up to and including Russia. It became the property of Louis XVIII after the 1814 abdication.

"Posts and Relays of the French Empire 1806" - c. 1806

-- This book, bearing annotations by the Emperor in his own hand, charts the distances from city to city on the roadways of France.

First Consul Bonaparte standing in front of Malmaison - Jean-Baptiste Isabey - 1802

-- Napoleon is depicted here, perhaps for the first time, in the pose that would become his signature stance.

Editions of "Journal de l'Empire" - 1812

-- "Four hostile newspapers," Napoleon once said to his generals, "are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets." The Journal des debats ("Journal of Debates") was created at the outbreak of the French revolution and was published through World War II.

Bust of Napoleon I - 19th Century

-- In a career of just over 20 years, few people in history have had as powerful an impact on the world as Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821). A soldier at heart, he is portrayed here in the colonel's uniform he preferred.

An "Exclusif" Tasting of Courvoisier Cognacs

As The House of Courvoisier celebrates 200 years of heritage and tradition, the portfolio has evolved to encompass a wide and superior range of cognacs ranging from VS to L'Esprit. Produced in Jarnac, France (in Cognac) by local artisans, Courvoisier is made from Ugni Blanc grapes from the four finest Crus of the Cognac region of France: Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Borderies and Fins Bois -- all grown in vineyards operated by 4th and 5th generation families. Courvoisier Cognacs are double-distilled in traditional red copper Charentais alembic pot stills and aged in barrels handmade from 200-year old oak chosen by the Master Blender. Each cognac is blended to maintain the same aromas and flavors each year, setting Courvoisier apart from other manufacturers whose cognacs may vary from vintage to vintage and bottle to bottle. The Sipping Tour will feature some of the portfolio's best including VS, VSOP, XO, Initiale, Napoleon and Exclusif -- the first-ever Cognac specifically created for mixing in cocktails.

About Pierre Szersnovicz:

With family origins in the Cognac region dating back to the 19th century, Pierre has continued on in the family tradition of cognac making with Courvoisier for over thirty years. His father managed one of the largest local distilleries of Courvoisier for several decades. Following his studies and military school, Pierre joined Courvoisier as one of the blending team. Using both his local background and years of blending experience, Pierre is the Director of Spirits Quality Control and is responsible for ensuring that the process and high quality standards of Courvoisier are met by its vinegrowers and distillers. His role consists also in working closely with them to ensure that the new technical quality assurance methods such as HACCP and ISO are fully integrated within the Courvoisier cognac supply chain.

Pierre is also Global Brand Ambassador for COURVOISIER(R), and works closely with the markets on training and education. He travels throughout the world training key trade and retail personnel as well as meeting with the press and doing VIP consumer events like The Sipping Tour.

About Courvoisier(R)

Courvoisier(R) is one of the four leading cognac houses in the world and continues to excel in the spirits category with its renowned blends including VS, VSOP, Exclusif(TM), Napoleon, X.O., Initiale(R) Extra and Courvoisier(R) Succession J.S. L'Esprit de Courvoisier(R) is the world's most-exclusive cognac, containing a masterful blend of vintages, including some dating back to the nineteenth century -- the same used to apply to the court of Napoleon and Edward VII. Courvoisier reminds consumers to enjoy greatness responsibly(R). For more information about Courvoisier cognac and corporate responsibility visit www.cv-us.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, Cruzan(R) Rum, Laphroaig(R) Scotch Whisky, Cruzan(R) Rum, Larios(R) Gin, Whisky DYC(R), Teacher's(R) Scotch Whisky, DeKuyper(R) Cordials and Liqueurs, Knob Creek(R) Bourbon and Starbucks(TM) Liqueurs. Beam Global Spirits & Wine is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), a leading consumer brands company with annual sales exceeding $8 billion. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

Courvoisier(R) Cognac, 40% alc./vol. (c)2008 Courvoisier Import Company, Deerfield, IL

SOURCE Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.

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