Soon-to-Be-Released Knob Creek(R) Rye Anointed "Best Rye Whiskey" at 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

All Three Knob Creek(R) Expressions Awarded Top Honors as Double Gold Medalists in Prestigious Industry Competition, Further Establishing Role as Global Leader in the Super-Premium Category


CLERMONT, KY--(Marketwire - Apr 3, 2012) - Knob Creek®, the world's first Super-Premium bourbon, is thrilled to announce that its soon-to-launch Knob Creek® Rye has been named "Best Rye Whiskey" in addition to earning a Double Gold medal at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the world's most highly regarded spirits competitions. Further demonstrating Knob Creek's commitment to crafting superior quality bourbon that is truly "Worth The Effort," both Knob Creek Bourbon and Knob Creek® Single Barrel Reserve also took home coveted Double Gold medals, making Knob Creek one of the most celebrated portfolios at this year's competition.

"I am personally proud that the brand created by my father, Booker Noe, received such an honor from the judges at this prestigious competition," said Fred Noe, seventh-generation Beam Master Distiller and creator of Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Knob Creek Rye. "We carefully handcraft Knob Creek Rye using a blend of the finest quality rye grains in order to bring our product to life in a way that only Knob Creek can. Being named the 'Best Rye Whiskey' proves that the patience and care we put into every bottle is worth the effort."

Bottled at 100 proof and hitting shelves nationally in July, Knob Creek Rye is a versatile, full-flavored straight rye whiskey that is extraordinarily smooth and nuanced, offering a distinct rye spiciness complemented by surprising layers of vanilla and oak. It is carefully handcrafted and patiently aged, creating a rich, mature flavored whiskey with a luxurious finish -- characteristics that whiskey fans have come to expect from Knob Creek.

Knob Creek was created 20 years ago by Booker Noe, grandson of James Beam and sixth-generation Beam Master Distiller. Booker wanted to create a high-quality craft bourbon made pre-prohibition style -- carefully handcrafted in small batches and patiently aged, yielding a bourbon bursting with flavor. Bottled at 100 proof, Knob Creek was introduced in early 1992, launching the Super-Premium bourbon category and paving the way for the craft bourbons of today.

In 2011, Booker's son, Fred Noe, created Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, the brand's first-ever single barrel bourbon. Carefully hand-selected, barrel-by-barrel, and bottled at 120 proof, it is extraordinarily smooth and nuanced, with even more of the rich wood and vanilla notes that helped make Knob Creek the world's #1 selling Super-Premium bourbon.

The 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition was held on March 22-25 at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. More than 1,200 spirits from 60 different countries were judged during this year's contest -- the largest in the competition's 12-year history. Judging during the event is based on blind taste tests and medals are awarded based on taste alone. A complete list of all the 2012 award winners is available on the competition's website.

For more information about Knob Creek, go to www.KnobCreek.com or on Facebook® at www.facebook.com/KnobCreek.

About Knob Creek®
Knob Creek is the only brand that puts as much effort into our passions as you do into yours -- handcrafting extraordinary bourbon with intriguing taste and bottled in unique flask shaped packaging, which has helped make it the #1 selling Super-Premium bourbon in the world. Knob Creek® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged nine years at a sophisticated 100 proof (50% alcohol by volume), and is named after the small town in Kentucky where President Abraham Lincoln was born. Launched in early 1992, Knob Creek is the first ever Super-Premium bourbon and is credited with driving growth in the category at the high-end, which continues to grow at a faster pace than premium bourbons. In recent years, Knob Creek has expanded its portfolio, releasing the brand's first-ever single barrel bourbon, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve (120 proof / 60% alcohol by volume), in 2011 and Knob Creek Rye (100 proof / 50% alcohol by volume) in 2012. For more information on Knob Creek, visit www.knobcreek.com.

About Beam Inc.
As one of the world's leading premium spirits companies, Beam is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including Jim Beam Bourbon, Maker's Mark Bourbon, Sauza Tequila, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher's Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, EFFEN Vodka, Pucker Flavored Vodka, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC, DeKuyper Cordials, and Skinnygirl Cocktails. Beam is focused on delivering superior performance with its unique combination of scale with agility and a strategy of Creating Famous Brands, Building Winning Markets and Fueling Our Growth. Beam and its 3,200 passionate associates worldwide generated 2011 sales of $2.8 billion, volume of 34 million 9-liter cases and some of the industry's fastest growing innovations. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BEAM and is included in the S&P 500 Index and the MSCI World Index. For more information on Beam, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.

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Knob Creek® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Straight Rye Whiskey, 50%-60% Alc./Vol.
©2012 Knob Creek Distillery, Clermont, KY.
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