Booker's(R) Rye Whiskey Named "World Whisky of the Year" by Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2017

DEERFIELD, IL--(Marketwired - Oct 17, 2016) - Two years after naming Yamazaki® Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 the "World Whisky of the Year," Jim Murray's Whisky Bible anointed Booker's® Rye Whiskey the "World Whisky of the Year" for 2017. Booker's® Rye, the first-ever rye whiskey released by the ultra-premium Booker's® Bourbon brand, joins other Beam Suntory Whiskies to earn top honors at recent industry competitions, including Jim Beam Black® Bourbon, Knob Creek® Rye Whiskey and Yamazaki® Sherry Cask 2016.

"It is a high honor to be named the world's best by Jim Murray and his authoritative Whisky Bible, and I could not be more thrilled for Master Distiller Fred Noe and his family," said Matt Shattock, Chairman and CEO of Beam Suntory. "For Fred to achieve this honor for the brand began by his father, Booker Noe, it warms the heart of everyone at our company and reflects the utmost care and craftsmanship that goes into our American whiskies each and every day."
After being tasted alongside 1,240 other new whiskies in this year's judging, Booker's Rye is described in Jim Murray's Whisky Bible as "simply a staggering example of a magnificent rye showing exactly what genius in terms of whiskey actually means." Booker's Rye features a never-before-released rye mash bill, aged for just over 13 years and bottled uncut and unfiltered¹, true to Booker's® Bourbon standards. Released in extremely limited quantities earlier this year, it is made from some of the last rye barrels laid down by Booker Noe and marks one of his greatest and final experiments to date.

"On behalf of my dad, Booker Noe, I could not be more proud to see Booker's Rye named 'World Whisky of the Year,' said Fred Noe, Beam's 7th Generation Master Distiller. "Dad was more than just a distiller. He was a big thinker and a man who loved to experiment -- and Booker's Rye is a true celebration of that. Together with my son, Freddie Noe, I'm excited to carry on this legacy of innovation -- and our family's 220-year tradition of crafting the highest quality bourbon and whiskey -- for years to come. Let's just say we have some exciting things ahead."

Joining Booker's Rye with a best-in-class ranking this year is Yamazaki® Single Malt Sherry Cask 2016 -- a follow-up to the 2013 edition that won Jim Murray's Whisky Bible's "World Whisky of the Year" in 2015. In the 2017 Whisky Bible, Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2016 swept both Japanese Whisky categories, earning "Japanese Whisky of the Year" and "Single Malt of the Year (Multiple Barrels)."

These outstanding accolades from Whisky Bible are the latest in a wave of recent industry honors for spirits within Beam Suntory's broad portfolio of premium whiskies:

• Jim Beam Black® Bourbon was the highest-rated bourbon at the 2016 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), earning the best-in-class "Bourbon Trophy." Jim Beam® Bourbon was also named "Brand Innovator of the Year" by Whisky Magazine's Icons of Whisky Awards.
• Demonstrating leadership in the fast-growing rye category, Knob Creek® Rye Whiskey was awarded the best-in-class "World Whiskies Trophy" at the 2016 IWSC, while Jim Beam® Rye and Canadian Club® 100% Rye each earned Double Gold medals at the New York Wine & Spirits Competition.
• Leading Islay Single Malt, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, took home Double Gold medals for Laphroaig® 10 Year Old and Laphroaig® Lore at the New York Wine & Spirits Competition.

Jim Murray's Whisky Bible is the world's leading whisky guide, featuring thousands of detailed tasting notes for the world's whiskies, including brands both large and small. Published annually, each edition features reviews of the newest whiskey releases and each year, only one whiskey is selected to hold the prestigious title of "World Whisky of the Year."

For more information on Booker's Rye and Booker's Bourbon, visit: www.BookersBourbon.com and for more information on Beam Suntory, visit: www.BeamSuntory.com.

About Booker's® Bourbon
Booker's® Bourbon was inspired by a 200-year-old family tradition and came to life when Booker Noe selected the first bottles of Booker's as holiday gifts for his friends and family. With its instant popularity within Noe's close circle, Booker's Bourbon was soon after bottled and made available on shelves for everyone to enjoy. Booker's Bourbon is one of the only bourbons bottled straight-from-the-barrel at its natural proof, which varies from batch to batch. It is crafted in small batches and aged for six to eight years in charred oak barrels, which are stored in the center of the rack house. Today, Fred Noe personally selects every batch of Booker's Bourbon to ensure every bottle contains a robust, full-bodied whiskey that has a taste, aroma and proof that matches Booker's whiskey preference.

Beam Suntory Inc.
As the world's third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker's Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher's, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Sauza tequila, Pinnacle vodka, and Midori liqueur. 

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com.

¹Booker's® Bourbon and Booker's® Rye Whiskey are quality screened to remove only pieces of charred barrel wood from the liquid.

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