Industry Giants Looking to Buy Beam?

From Shanken:

With the Beam Inc. portfolio enjoying marked growth of late after years of lackluster results, some of the spirits industry’s biggest names are said to be looking to make a play for Beam, either individually or in tandem. In recent months, four of the world’s biggest spirits marketers—Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Bacardi and Suntory—have kicked the tires on a Beam acquisition, according to both press reports and industry analysts.

One thing is certain: Beam wouldn’t come cheap. The Sunday Telegraph reported yesterday that Diageo held talks earlier this year with Japanese drinks giant Suntory about jointly acquiring Beam for more than $10 billion. Lacking a major Bourbon brand, a Beam buy would in all likelihood give Diageo Jim Beam, the world’s top-selling Bourbon (though it’s considerably smaller than archrival Jack Daniel’s, technically a Tennessee whiskey), while a partner such as Suntory could take on many of Beam’s other brands, thereby easing Diageo’s competition and cost concerns.

Both Diageo and Suntory are also said to have explored the possibility of a Beam deal with other parties, such as private equity firms. With Diageo agreeing in recent weeks to acquire majority control of India’s United Spirits Ltd. for as much as $2.1 billion, and also in long-running negotiations to purchase Jose Cuervo Tequila for around $3 billion, any play for Beam by the world’s biggest spirits marketer is almost surely not imminent. Diageo declined to comment on any talks regarding Beam.

Meanwhile, Pernod Ricard and Bacardi—the world’s third- and fifth-largest spirit marketers, respectively, according to Impact Databank—have also expressed interest in fourth-ranked Beam, according to analysts. Again, both because of the cost of such a deal, and the competition concerns that would inevitably arise if either company took on Beam’s entire portfolio, any move from Pernod or Bacardi would most likely be in the form of a joint bid.

Since becoming a standalone entity after splitting off from parent company Fortune Brands little more than a year ago, Beam has thrived. Its spirit sales rose by 6.7% to 37.5 million cases last year, according to Impact Databank, and its comparable net sales were up by 7% for the first nine months of 2012, with key brands Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Sauza, Pinnacle, Courvoisier, Canadian Club and Teacher’s all on the rise.
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Woodford Reserve® Introduces Bourbon Barrel Aged Cocktail Bitters

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Dec. 4, 2012 /jm/ -- Woodford Reserve® bourbon and Bourbon Barrel Foods® have joined together to create a first-of-a-kind product – Woodford Reserve Spiced Cherry Bitters. The new Woodford Reserve bitters product enhances cocktails with an infusion of herbal essences, the bitterness of natural gentian root, the sweetness of cherry and spice notes all enriched by aging in barrels that previously matured Woodford Reserve bourbon. The bitters has been crafted to complement the premium flavors of Woodford Reserve and is intended to spice up both classic and modern bourbon cocktails.

Bitters has played a significant role in the traditional cocktail which by definition is a combination of a spirit, sugar, water and bitters. Over time, bitters has become the quintessential ingredient used in cocktails to complement and bring out the flavor of the drink's base spirit. In this case, Woodford Reserve and Bourbon Barrel Foods have partnered to create a one-of-a-kind bitters which when used in a Woodford Reserve cocktail will highlight the flavors of the bourbon.

"We are excited to partner with Bourbon Barrel Foods once again and to continue to extend the Woodford Reserve brand with the release of the Spiced Cherry Bitters which perfectly complements our bourbon's unique flavor profile," said Chris Morris, Master Distiller for Woodford Reserve. "The use of the Woodford Reserve Spiced Cherry Bitters in a Woodford Reserve cocktail will highlight the bourbon's natural fruit and spice notes along with its smooth vanilla and caramel rich character."

With the resurgent classic cocktail trend, Woodford Reserve and Bourbon Barrel Foods also wanted to create the one-of-a-kind Spiced Cherry Bitters to highlight the distinct flavors characteristic to the classic "Manhattan" cocktail, as well as the premium spirit of Woodford Reserve. Since its launch in 1996, the Woodford Reserve brand has found itself immersed in the world of mixed drinks and cocktails through a variety of programs including its "Manhattan" cocktail bartender competitions to its $1,000 Mint Julep program during the Kentucky Derby® of which Woodford Reserve is a primary sponsor.

"This collaboration with Woodford Reserve allows us to introduce a unique, Kentucky-crafted product fitting to both our brands," said Matt Jamie, owner of Bourbon Barrel Foods. "Natural gentian root, the standard bitter against which all others are measured, is blended with the flavor of cherries and bold spice and then enhanced by aging in barrels that previously matured Woodford Reserve Bourbon."

Woodford Reserve Spiced Cherry Bitters has a suggested retail price of $15 for a 100ml bottle. The bitters product is available at www.woodfordreserveshop.com, the newly launched Woodford Reserve Online Store that features a selection of premium wearables, edibles, glassware and novelties. It can also be purchased at www.bourbonbarrelfoods.com and at the Woodford Reserve Distillery.

The Classic Manhattan Cocktail
2 oz Woodford Reserve
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes Woodford Reserve Spiced Cherry Bitters
Stir with ice and strain (served up)
Stir and serve over ice (on the rocks)
Garnish all with an orange twist

Tasting Notes for Woodford Reserve Spiced Cherry Bitters
Aroma – Rich ripe black cherry with clove spice, anise and hints of vanilla, caramel and oak.
Taste – Spicy and bitter with hints of cherry and bourbon oak.
Finish – Hints of cherry, oak and spice linger on.

PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1vPpL)

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Glenfiddich Makes Holiday Dreams Come True w/Cask of Dreams

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 4, 2012/jm/) - After spending months maturing with the dreams of Canadians inscribed on its barrels, Canada's own Glenfiddich Cask of Dreams Single Malt Scotch has arrived just in time for the holidays.

Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch has officially released the limited edition Cask of Dreams vintage in Canada. It is the culmination of the cross-Canada Cask of Dreams tour that set out to capture the hopes and aspirations of Canadians.

On Robbie Burns Day earlier this year whisky barrels from the Glenfiddich Distillery began to literally roll across the country. Canadians were asked to finish the statement "One day I will," inscribing their dreams on barrels eventually used to finish the Cask of Dreams vintage. After travelling from coast to coast, the virgin American oak whisky barrels returned to the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Scotland where they were filled with a selection of Glenfiddich whiskies no younger than 14 years old. Now, after finishing in the signed casks for three months, the whisky has returned and is now available in select provinces across Canada for the holidays.

"Throughout our cross-Canada tour, thousands of Canadians shared their aspirations and dreams on these barrels and each inscription was truly inspiring," says Beth-Anne Perry, Glenfiddich Brand Manager. "We couldn't be more thrilled to bring the finished result back to Canada. It's a single malt that Canadians can truly call their own and is full of holiday spirit."

On Christmas Day in 1887, Founder of Glenfiddich Distillery, William Grant filled the first oak cask with Glenfiddich spirit. The Cask of Dreams is a reflection of Grant's pioneering steps to becoming the world's most awarded single malt while capturing the hopes and dreams of Canadians from coast to coast.

Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman personally handpicked the Glenfiddich whiskies that created the Cask of Dreams from a selection of American oak casks. The chosen casks held matured whiskies of a variety of different ages, none younger than 14 years of age. Kinsman selected these whiskies as well as the virgin American oak casks that rolled across Canada to create a variant with an intense and powerful vanilla sweetness. The end result is a whisky that has notes of dried fruit and vanilla which can be enjoyed on the nose and palate along with an added layer of spice. The finish is long, smooth and mellow.

Only four countries worldwide were selected to share in the Cask of Dreams special vintage, each rolling out their own barrels to capture local dreams. In Canada a total of 20 whisky barrels rolled out across 11 cities, returning just in time for the holiday season. Only 13,000 bottles will be released in select provinces nationwide for the holidays.

The Glenfiddich Cask of Dreams Single Malt Scotch is the first bottling unique to Canada from the distillery and retails for approximately $99.99.

William Grant & Sons Ltd

William Grant & Sons is an independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1887 and today still controlled by the fifth generation of his family. Recently named 2011 Distiller of the Year at the International Wine and Spirits Competition, William Grant & Sons distils some of the world's leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world's favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie® single malts and one of the world's best loved blended Scotches, Grant's®, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick's® Gin, and Sailor Jerry® Spiced Rum and Tullamore Dew®.

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Duncan Taylor Dimensions–Glentauchers 16 Years Old, Imperial 17 Years Old, North British 34 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Duncan Taylor Dimensions Single Malt Scotch Whisky–Glentauchers 16 Years Old (Speyside, Oak Casks, 54.6% ABV, 750 Ml), Imperial 17 Years Old (Speyside, Oak Casks, 53.5% ABV, 750 Ml),  North British 34 Years Old (Single Grain Distilled, Oak Casks 54.1% ABV, 750 Ml).

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