Pinnacle® Vodka Earns Top Vodka Award in Prestigious International Tasting Competition

DEERFIELD, Ill., July 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Beam Inc. (NYSE:BEAM) is pleased to announce that Pinnacle® Vodka, the company's fast-growing premium vodka brand, has been awarded the top honor for the vodka category in the 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Pinnacle's flagship  Unflavored vodka beat out more than 100 vodkas from all over the world to take home the Vodka Trophy and earn the only Gold Outstanding award in the category.

"The IWSC is considered to be the most prestigious competition of its kind in the world, and we are extremely proud that Pinnacle rose to the top to earn the highest honors in the competitive vodka category," said Jason Dolenga, Senior Director Vodka, Beam Inc. "Pinnacle Unflavored is distilled five times from French wheat and grains, and this coveted award is a testament to the premium quality and superior taste that Pinnacle offers to consumers."  

The awards given by the competition are among some of the highest honors in the industry.  Judging for the competition is unique in that it has two stages; first, the judging panels, comprised of more than 300 highly qualified industry experts, conduct a blind taste test.  Second, products that are selected to receive top medals are subject to technical analysis before results are released; this crucial stage ensures winners receive complete validation.  IWSC judges' tasting notes for Pinnacle Unflavored Vodka include "as clean a nose as possible," "fresh impact into the mouth," and "well extended, warm finish."

Offering consumers a premium liquid at an affordable price point, the Pinnacle Vodka line features its Unflavored variant, its biggest selling single offering in the line, and more than 30 delicious flavors, including the Pinnacle line of Whipped flavored vodkas and the recently released Pinnacle Rainbow Sherbet and Pinnacle Strawberry Shortcake.

The results, announced at the 6th annual Spirits Tasting on Wednesday, July 24^th, mark the 44th year of the competition. Held in association with The Worshipful Company of Distillers, the evening showcased a selection of the very best award winners from the 2013 Spirits Competition. Almost 200 award winning spirits brands from all over the world were showcased at the event, including products from Scotland, Taiwan, Sweden, Germany, South Africa and the Caribbean.

Search the full list of results online at iwsc.net/results

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 3,400 passionate associates worldwide generated 2012 sales of $2.5 billion (excluding excise taxes), volume of 38 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.

Media Contacts:

Miranda Harper
Finn Partners for Pinnacle Vodka
(212) 715-1641
[email protected]

Lara Beauregard
Beam Inc.
(847) 444-7073
[email protected]

Enjoy Responsibly
Pinnacle® Imported Vodka, Distilled from Grain, 40%-50% Alc./Vol. ©2013 Portfield Importers, Lewiston, ME
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Pinnacle Vodka