2 GINGERS(R) Irish Whiskey and the BIG GINGER(R) Go National

DEERFIELD, IL--(Marketwired - Feb 12, 2014) - 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey -- the fastest growing Irish whiskey in the U.S.* from the award-winning Kilbeggan Distilling Co.™ -- has grown beyond its Minnesota roots and is now officially available across the United States. The brand has experienced exponential growth, expanding from limited Midwest markets one year ago to all 50 states this month.

2 GINGERS® Founder and CEO Kieran Folliard, former owner of one of the country's top-selling Irish whiskey pubs, originally created the whiskey and its signature cocktail, the BIG GINGER®, with inspiration from his mother and aunt -- the two fiery gingers (red-heads) featured on the bottle. Backed by Folliard's passion and category expertise, 2 GINGERS® has quickly become the fastest growing Irish whiskey in the U.S.* since its launch in 2011. After experiencing remarkable popularity and success among women and men within limited regional markets in 2013, the premium blended whiskey -- aged 4 years and double-distilled -- has increased distribution once more, this time expanding nationwide.

"At its heart, 2 GINGERS® is about following up on a hunch and pursuing your dreams," said Folliard, who is soon hitting the road in a custom 2 GINGERS® trailer that, like any Irish pub, will ring with stories (most of them true) in cities across the country. "We hope to encourage others to pursue their dreams, to demonstrate what we stand for and to pose the question: 'Why not try something big?'"

Beam Inc. (NYSE: BEAM) acquired 2 GINGERS® in December 2012, and since that time has rapidly expanded distribution. To support the national launch, Folliard will use the customized 2 GINGERS® trailer to meet with bartenders, distributors and consumers looking to discover the BIG GINGER® cocktail in stops from coast to coast, including: Milwaukee, WI, Chicago, IL, Hoboken, NJ, New Orleans, LA, Dallas, TX, Austin, TX, San Diego, CA, Denver, CO, Minneapolis, MN, St. Louis, MO, Indianapolis, IN, and Columbus, OH.

2 GINGERS® is a smooth, malty and slightly sweet premium, blended Irish whiskey. Distilled with mixability in mind, the brand created and trademarked two balanced and simple cocktails, the BIG GINGER® and SKINNY GINGER®. Genderless and appropriate for all seasons, these cocktails combine the refreshing bite of ginger ale with the caramel, vanilla and citrus undertones of 2 GINGERS®, creating the perfect recipe for anyone who may not yet consider themselves whiskey drinkers.

BIG GINGER®

• 2 parts 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey
• Ginger Ale
• Lemon Wedge
• Lime Wedge

METHOD: Pour the 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey into a pint glass with ice. Top with ginger ale, followed by a wedge of a lemon and lime.

SKINNY GINGER®

• 2 parts 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey
• Diet Ginger Ale
• Lemon Wedge
• Lime Wedge

METHOD: Pour the 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey into a pint glass with ice. Top with diet ginger ale, followed by a wedge of a lemon and lime.

For more information on 2 GINGERS® Irish Whiskey, which sells at a suggested retail price of $19.99 for a 750ml bottle, please visit www.2GINGERSwhiskey.com, like us facebook.com/2GINGERS or follow @2GINGERSwhiskey.

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, Pinnacle Vodka, Canadian Club Whisky, Courvoisier Cognac, Teacher's Scotch Whisky, Skinnygirl Cocktails, Cruzan Rum, Hornitos Tequila, Knob Creek Bourbon, Laphroaig Scotch Whisky, Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, Larios Gin, Whisky DYC and DeKuyper Cordials. 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 2013 sales of $2.55 billion (excluding excise taxes), volume of 37 million 9-liter equivalent 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.

Tipple Responsibly™
2 GINGERS® Blended Irish Whiskey 40% Alc./Vol. ©2014 Kilbeggan Distilling Import Company, Deerfield IL

*Source: Nielsen Syndicated Data (top U.S. Irish Whiskey brand family EQ volume gainer for the 52 week period ending 12/7/13)