Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd., a leading developer and marketer of beverage products, is pleased to announce that KAH^® Tequila Blanco has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal for Creativity in Packaging by the Beverage Tasting Institute.

This follows KAH^® Tequila recently winning “Best of the Best” by Tequila.net, and winning multiple awards at The Spirits International Prestige Competition and The Spirits of Mexico Competition.

In announcing this award, The Beverage Tasting Institute stated that, “In the highly competitive beverage market, packaging has never been more important. Buyers are continually challenged by increasingly clever and innovative concepts. Creative packaging draws attention to brands on crowded shelves and back bars, showcases a brand’s personality, and invites consumers to indulge. So at the end of every year, we at The Beverage Testing Institute put down our tasting glasses and invite a select panel of on-and-off premise beverage buyers and managers, packaging designers, and journalists to judge not what’s in the bottle, but the bottle itself. We also judge the labels, gift boxes, carriers, and cases that are all important elements of today’s dynamic and expanding beer, wine, and spirits marketplace. Our December 2011 packaging competitions brought in hundreds of entries from which we selected another batch of standout designs.”

About Drinks Americas

Drinks Americas develops, owns, markets, and nationally distributes alcoholic premium beverages. In June 2011, the Company entered into a sales, distribution and licensing agreement with Worldwide Beverage Imports, LLC and is now selling and distributing KAH^® Tequila, Agave 99^® Tequila, Rio Bravo Beer, Crazy Pig Ale and Chili Devil Beer. The Company also marketsWillie Nelson’s Old Whiskey River Bourbon, Olifant Vodka, receives a royalty for Kid Rock’s American Badass Beer and Damiana Mexican Liqueur, and owns and distributes Rheingold Beer.

For further information, please visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/KahTequila and on our new websites at www.drinksamericas.com and www.rheingoldbrewingcompany.com.

Rising Artist Shizuko Greenblatt Creates Unique Painting for the “Simply Perfect” Art Project

During the 2011 holiday season, emerging artists from across the country teamed up with ultra-premium tequila maker Patrón Spirits to create one-of-a-kind works of art in support of their local arts communities. The pieces created for the Patrón “Simply Perfect” Art Project were placed online for public auction, with the proceeds benefitting four art organizations. Following an enthusiastic bidding process, Patrón is pleased to announce Los Angeles based artist Shizuko Greenblatt as the winner of the Patrón “Simply Perfect” Art Project. Receiving the highest bid for her painting titled “Rejuvenation,” Greenblatt earned the opportunity to be featured in a national print advertisement for Patrón.

“Each participating artist enhanced the holiday season by creating beautiful works of art for their communities to enjoy, and we are thankful for their generosity of time and talent,” said Jennifer Long, Patrón’s brand director. “Shizuko’s painting is a reflection of her unique artistic perspective, and we look forward to sharing her talent with a national audience in our upcoming print advertisement.”

Born in Japan to an ancient samurai family, Greenblatt was raised in an environment that emphasized and honored the arts. After graduating from Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, she came to the United States to continue her education at UCLA where she became a certified interior designer and worked in the field for more than 20 years.

Greenblatt studied art and the spirit of art for 10 years with the late artist, Vicki Dolnick, who was a student of acclaimed artist Richard Diebenkorn at Stanford University. Her unique artistic creations focus on Japanese Character Paintings, which she uses by combining multiple characters and artistically modified shapes. Her work also incorporates Fusion Ikebana, a combination of modernistic painting, formal sculptural explorations and Japanese Ikebana in a contemporary expressionistic style.

Recognized with multiple awards, Greenblatt’s art is held in both private and public collections around the world. Her work is continuously exhibited in solo exhibitions at venues throughout California, including the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, TAG Gallery in Santa Monica, and Gallery 825 and LA Artcore in Los Angeles. She is also an instructor of Japanese flower arrangement at Sogetsu School.

“The ‘Simply Perfect’ Art Project was an amazing art experience that allowed me to create a painting for auction in support of the Los Angeles Art Association — a charity that is so special to me,” said Greenblatt. “I appreciate being given the opportunity by Patrón to give back to my local art community, which has given so much to me.”

The Los Angeles Art Association serves as a dynamic force for the Los Angeles art community, providing opportunities, resources and services for emerging Los Angeles artists of all media. As one of the four art organizations that partnered with Patrón on the project, it will receive proceeds from the purchased pieces created by the participating artists. Additional participating art organizations included:

• Chicago Artists’ Coalition
• New York Foundation for the Arts
• The Artists Guild of San Francisco

Thirty emerging artists participated in the Patrón “Simply Perfect” Art Project located in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and San Francisco. The “Simply Perfect” Art Project showcased live, working art studios that had been transformed from empty storefront windows. Given approximately one week each, artists created original paintings, sculptures or other works based on their personal interpretation of Patrón tequila’s “Simply Perfect” mantra.

Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd., a leading developer and marketer of beverage products, announced today that KAH® Tequila was recently honored with Tequila.net’s prestigious “Best of the Best” award.  Taking “Best of the Best” honors in the High-Proof Tequila category was KAH^® Tequila 110 Proof Reposado.

The Tequila.net Awards are a unique competition. At an exclusive, private tasting, aficionados and industry professionals donate their personal time to blind taste products in several categories. No entry fees are solicited or collected. The judges spend a full week, taking the time necessary to evaluate each product correctly. Contenders are pushed through multiple rounds until the top products are revealed. Only the “Best of the Best” are awarded in each category, producing results consumers can trust that are unbiased and carefully considered.

The 2011 Tequila.net Awards were announced in November. Over 100 brands submitted 277 products to this competition making it the largest Agave spirits tasting ever in the United States.

KAH^® Tequila previously received multiple awards for taste in all styles at the Spirits International Prestige Competition, with KAH^® Extra Anejo receiving the Platinum Award for Best in Class. The KAH^® Tequila Series received the Platinum Award for Best in Class for Package Design.  In addition to those awards, The Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition judged KAH^® Tequila as Best in Category and awarded the Gold Medal to KAH^® Anejo, the Gold Medal to KAH^® Blanco and the Bronze Medal to KAH^® Reposado 110 Proof.

About Drinks Americas

Drinks Americas develops, owns, markets, and nationally distributes alcoholic premium beverages. In June 2011, the Company entered into a sales, distribution and licensing agreement with Worldwide Beverage Imports, LLC and is now selling and distributing KAH^® Tequila, Agave 99^® Tequila, Rio Bravo Beer, Crazy Pig Ale and Chili Devil Beer. The Company also marketsWillie Nelson’s Old Whiskey River Bourbon, Olifant Vodka, receives a royalty for Kid Rock’s American Badass Beer and Damiana Mexican Liqueur, and owns and distributes Rheingold Beer.

For further information, please visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KahTequila and on our new websites at www.drinksamericas.com and www.rheingoldbrewingcompany.com.

FindTheBest’s Smart Rating is a Compilation of The Most Trusted Experts in One Spot

FindTheBest, an unbiased data-driven comparison engine, just released the Smart Badges for the highest rated alcoholic beverages—beers, brandy, champagne, wine, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey— just in time for all your holiday hosting!

The Smart Rating is a single score based on a combination of trusted industry ratings and expert reviews for a particular product or service. The Smart Rating for alcoholic beverages is based on features such as origin, calories, alcohol content, brand name and more.

While a top Smart Rating signifies consistent, positive ratings across the board, FindTheBest’s Smart Badge program highlights the leader in every industry.

Any alcoholic beverage in the top ten Smart Rated List below may claim their Smart Badge directly from their listing on FindTheBest.com.

So, what tequila should you be picking up?

1. El Tesoro de Don Felipe Anejo Tequila
2. Espolon Tequila Anejo
3. Milagro Select Barrel Reserve Reposado
4. Orgullo Anejo Tequila
5. Tequila Blu Reposado Tequila
6. El Tequileno Platino Tequila
7. Magave Anejo Tequila
8. Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Anejo Tequila
9. Rey Sol Extra-Aged Anejo Tequila
10. Tequila Cinco Blancos Anejo Tequila

About FindTheBest.com

FindTheBest is an unbiased, data-driven comparison engine. We organize and present data in a consumer-friendly format so that you can make quick and informed decisions based on what’s important to you.

Source: FindTheBest

Dulce Vida Organic Tequila Earns Top Honors at the New York International Spirits Competition

Dulce Vida, the world’s only certified USDA organic, 100° Proof tequila, received the Gold Medal at the 2011 New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC), the highest award given to any tequila. The NYISC is one of the most influential and respected spirits competitions world-wide.

“We are thrilled with the recognition our brand continues to gain,” stated Richard Sorenson, Dulce Vida Spirits’s Founder and CEO. “Our focus as a Craft-Distiller is to produce the finest, small-batch tequila available in the world. Our passion for creating a unique, premium tequila has earned unrivaled accolades over the past two & one-half years of our marketplace tenure.”

“Our focus as a Craft-Distiller is to produce the finest, small-batch tequila available in the world. Our passion for creating a unique, premium tequila has earned unrivaled accolades over the past two & one-half years of our marketplace tenure.”

XO Cafe Music Project Gives Unsigned Bands a Chance to Jump Start Their Careers

Unsigned bands thirsty for their big break might just get one, thanks to ultra-premium tequila maker Patron. Now through July 21, 2011, Patron XO Cafe coffee liqueur is encouraging bands to submit their acts at apps.facebook.com/xocafemusicprojectto receive advice from industry experts, the opportunity to perform at one of Patron’s XO Noir music festival after parties and a chance to win their choice of a prize package (promoting, recording or touring support) to help them succeed in the music industry.

To enter, bands can visit the XO Cafe Music Project entry page located on the new Patron XO Cafe Facebook page, which has attracted more than 80 bands and 5,300 fans since the contest began. Bands must then type in their “Bandcamp” user profile name and submit required information, including a link to one of their original songs, affirmation that each band member is at least 21 years of age and 100-500 words about why they deserve to win the Patron XO Cafe Music Project.

“The Patron XO Cafe Music Project is a great way to engage consumers where they socialize,” says Jennifer Long, Patron’s brand director. “Patron XO Cafe is a brand that enjoys celebrating and supporting music and musicians by immersing itself into the music festival scene. We are thrilled to continue our support by giving deserving bands around the country a chance to showcase their talent and providing them with valuable resources to help them break into the music industry.”

To determine the grand prize options, Patron tapped into the underground band scene to understand what resources unsigned bands would value most. Based on musicians’ insights, the three grand prize winners will have a choice of the following packages valued at approximately $2,860 each:

• “On the Road” Touring Kit: Includes prepaid gas and food card, hotel vouchers, PA system, mixers and cables
• “In the Spotlight” Promotional Kit: Includes stickers, business cards, posters, banners and a radio spot
• “In the Studio” Recording Kit: Includes rehearsal and studio time, a mixing and mastering session and CD copies

A judging panel comprised of prestigious representatives from SPIN and RCRD LBL will select 100 semi-finalists based on overall creativity, musicianship as well as persuasiveness and appeal of their written submission. Beginning July 25 through August 19, 2011, the public will have a chance to act as “Record Executives” and rate bands through a series of head-to-head song match-ups and consideration of the bands’ background and desire to win. The eight bands with the highest scores will move onto the finals where three bands will be selected by the judging panel to win the prize package of their choice.

Winners will be announced in late August 2011.

For official rules, visit http://www.patrontequila.com/xocafebands.html.

About Patron XO Cafe

Patron XO Cafe is an extraordinary blend of ultra-premium Patron Silver tequila and the pure, natural essence of fine coffee. The taste is dry, not sweet as with most low-proof coffee liqueurs. Patron XO Cafe is excellent for sipping, as a premium cocktail ingredient, or as a unique and delicious dessert topping.

About Patron Spirits

Simply perfect in every way, Patron tequila is an ultra-premium luxury white spirit that’s delicious on the rocks, and mixes flawlessly into most any cocktail. From the highest-quality Weber Blue agave plants grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, to the centuries-old distillation process, to the signed, handcrafted glass bottles, Patron is produced with unparalleled attention to detail. Imported and marketed by The Patron Spirits Company, brands in the portfolio consist of Gran Patron Burdeos, Gran Patron Platinum, Patron Silver, Patron Reposado, Patron Anejo, Patron XO Cafe (coffee liqueur) and Patron Citronge (extra fine orange liqueur), as well as Pyrat Caribbean rums and Ultimat ultra-premium vodka.

For more information, please visit www.patronspirits.com.

Source: Patron Spirits

The Spirits of Mexico Festival, the largest, oldest and most comprehensive forum of its kind in North America, will be held September 11 through 18 this year in Old Town San Diego at the location of California’s birthplace, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Last year’s Spirits of Mexico Festival was awarded proclamations from the City & County of San Diego, commendations from the Mexican Consulate and Old Town Chamber of Commerce, lauded as an ‘A List’ event by San Diego Magazine and noted as ‘one of four festivals not to miss’ by ‘O’, the Oprah Magazine.

Tequila, Mezcal, Sotol and Bacanora, each with its own denomination of origin and all distilled from the juice of the ancient agave plant, have quickly captured the hearts of the American consumer. The festival celebrates these spirits and their heritage. Cuisine, paired and infused, cocktails, educational seminars, a tasting competition and the resultant awards ceremony, live and silent auctions are all in this year’s festival recipe. Where better than in the nation’s No. 1 marketplace for consumption of these spirits? Old Town San Diego.

The Festival makes living history every year as well. Of the more than 150 brands and 400 styles that have participated in the past eight years, 25 percent have exclusively launched at this festival—a singular accolade. This year will see the debut of Tequilas El Decreto &Montoro and Vitzo Bacanora.

For agave enthusiasts and aficionados, the Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition is like the Oscars and Olympics rolled into one

The 2011 Festival launches with a new event, the Tequila Trail on Sunday, Sept. 11, sponsored by newcomer Vitzo Bacanora Cream and 91x radio station, which makes stops at 9 of Old Town’s world-renowned eateries. Barra Barra Saloon, Café Coyote, Miguel’s Cocina, Old Town Mexican Café, El Fandango, The Cosmopolitan, Casa Guadalajara, La Pinata and Rockin’ Baja Lobster will offer up tastes of their signature dishes paired with Herradura, Chinaco, Milagro, Arta, Fortaleza and 1519 Tequilas; Scorpion, Maria, Mijes and Oro de Oaxaca Mezcals; Casa ZG Sangrita, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur and, of course, Vitzo.

The Tequila Trail is also the scene of the Festival’s Solerno Liqueur Cocktail Challenge Semi-Finals at The Cosmopolitan Restaurant, which will narrow down the field in the search for the 2011 Official Spirits of Mexico Cocktail. The challenge put forth to mixologists, bartenders and drinking establishments is to create their best cocktail with this blood orange liqueur as the showcase ingredient.

“With its blend of Sicilian citrus, red berries and Sanguinello blood oranges, this year’s winner just may turn the margarita on its heels,” said Dori Bryant of Polished Palate, producer of the Spirits of Mexico Festival. The Solerno Liqueur Cocktail Challenge finals, sponsored by San Diego CityBeat and Liquid Living magazines, will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Barra Barra Saloon. The event is open to the public.

This year marks the fifth time the Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition will be held at the festival’s official hotel, the Best Western Hacienda in Old Town San Diego. This private event brings together industry experts from Mexico and the United States to judge agave-based spirits.

“The competition has grown significantly over the years, indicating the importance and popularity of this spirit to the U.S. consumer,” said Jack Robertiello of Drinks Ink, competition co-host.

Along with co-host Robert Plotkin of Bar Media, judging panelists that will vote in a number of categories for the best agave-based spirits include Master Distillers German Gonzalez of T1 Tequila Uno and Ana Maria Romero Mena of Corrido and 1519, Thomas ‘Mac’ McFarland Gregory III of Starwood Hotels, Zack Romaya with Old Town Liquor and Mario Marquez of Magia Azul Consulting. Also Rachel Nichols-Bernyk of Tequila Nuts, Larry Auman of Cantina Mayahuel, Junior Merino, The Liquid Chef, and Charlotte Voisey of William Grant & Sons will offer their palates to the judging panel.

Additional panelists are Alfredo Gama of Wine Warehouse, Drew Levinson with Wirtz Beverage Nevada, David Grapshi of Gemini Spirits and Wine and the winner of the 2011 ‘Win a Seat on the Competition Panel’ Clayton Szczech of Experience Tequila. Last year’s winner, Eric P. Lorenz, started Lorenz Agave Spirits in British Columbia and is presenting a seminar at this year’s Spirits of Mexico Festival Main Event.

“For agave enthusiasts and aficionados, the Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition is like the Oscars and Olympics rolled into one,” said Plotkin of Bar Media. “Earning one of the competition’s coveted gold medals has proven an invaluable indicator to the success of new brands of Tequila and mezcal.” The reigning winners, out of 153 entries in 2010, are Best of Show Chinaco Reposado and Best of Category winners Regional Blanco, Chinaco Reposado, Kah Anejo, Abandonado Extra Anejo and Casa 1921 Tequila Cream.

On Friday evening, Sept. 16, Executive Chef Jose Pulido of Barra Barra Saloon serves up his alchemical agave-infused cuisine at the festival’s Tasting Reception and Awards Dinner. Guests will sample a variety of world-class agave spirits while savoring infused hors d’oeuvres and entrees. Guests will then move to the Fiesta de Reyes courtyard for the Tasting Competition awards ceremony where the Best of Category and Best of Show winners of the 2011 Tasting Competition will be announced.

A live auction follows that benefits the Sky Ranch Foundation. The auction offers an opportunity for those wishing to bid on rare collectables, most accompanied by the Master Distiller’s signature. Kah Tequila’s inaugural Extra Anejo topped the bidding last year at $1,000. This year three bottles of El Decreto Tequila Extra Anejo, not available elsewhere; Tequila Los Abuelos Lot #74 series, valued at $1,500, and T1 Tequila Uno’s Barrel #1, of which only four cases remain, will be highlights of the auction.

The Spirits of Mexico Festival’s Main Event takes place on Saturday evening at the Robinson-Rose House, McCoy House Museum, Barra Barra Saloon and the plaza that connects them all in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. According to festival producer Bryant, all the stars will come out for the Main Event as more than 200 styles of agave spirits will be sampled and accompanied by culinary delights from Barra Barra’s kitchen. Seminars take place at intervals throughout the evening.

Eric P. Lorenz of Lorenz Agave Spirits, Douglas French, master distiller with Scorpion Mezcal; Jaclyn Jacquez, president of Don Cuco Sotol; Mario Marquez, president of Magia Azul Consulting, and Charlotte Voisey and Gaston Martinez, both of William Grant & Sons will headline seminars at this year’s Main Event, sponsored in part by the San Diego Reader. The public will be able to meet master distillers and learn first-hand from experts how these spirits are made. A silent auction will benefit the Sky Ranch Foundation, which is celebrating 51 years of helping troubled youth this year.

Samplings will be available from Tequilas 1519, Antiguo, Arta, Azunia, Chinaco, Corrido, Don Diego Santa, Don Eduardo, El Decreto, el Jimador, Fortaleza (Los Abuelos in Mexico), Hacienda Vieja, Herradura, Magave, Milagro, Puerto Vallarta, QV, Regional, T1 Tequila Uno and Tres Agaves. Mezcals will be sampled from Maria, Mixes, Oro de Oaxaca and Scorpion. Also sampling spirits will be Sotol Don Cuco, Bacanoras Cielo Rojo and Vitzo, Casa ZG Sangrita and Solerno Liqueur. Harina Dulce confections will provide pastries at the Main Event.

On Sunday, Sept. 18, the annual Lobster Bus excursion to Puerto Nuevo, Baja California, takes place. The public is welcome to join industry members and fellow Tequila aficionados on the bus for a traditional Baja lobster lunch, hosted by Poco Tequila.

Bryant added that “as a result of our partnership with Fiesta de Reyes, the vibrant dining, shopping and entertainment plaza at the northeast corner of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, several festival events take place in the State Park this year.” Fiesta de Reyes’ shops and restaurants are inspired by 19th century pueblo life, the essence of living in San Diego during its infancy from 1821 to 1872.

“Old Town San Diego and the State Park are the ideal settings for this festival,” concluded Bryant. “It brings the gastronomy, history, culture, in fact the heritage of Mexico together, in one festive setting. For more information and to purchase event tickets, visit http://www.thespiritsofmexico.com.

Background on Spirits of Mexico
The Spirits of Mexico Festival started as a one-evening event in San Diego in 2004 with 12 brands and 350 guests. In 2007 several elements were added including a Tasting Reception and Dinner and the first Agave-Only Tasting Competition in the United States, creating a more comprehensive multi-day and multi-faceted festival, celebrating all aspects of this spirit. The Festival saw more than 2,500 guests and 200 styles in 2010. As consumer interest grows and the industry evolves, the festival continues to meet those demands and is enhanced each year.

About Polished Palate
Since 2005, the Polished Palate has been hosting cutting-edge tasting events, educating the consumer on all aspects of each distilled spirit category. Through seminars hosted by recognized industry professionals, guests learn about the history and culture of each spirit, their impact on society, current trends and appropriate tasting techniques, while promoting responsible consumption—all in a festive format.

For more information, contact info@polishedpalate.com and Julia Simms at j simms agency julia@jsimmsagency.com

Cinco de Mayo is here, and Camarena Tequila is celebrating for 24 hours straight. The Camarena Tequila Facebook page is giving away Camarena-inspired summer swag starting at 12AM (ET) on Thursday every 5 minutes for 24 hours. Fans who don’t win within that five minute period have the opportunity to enter again every five minutes all day long.

We’re kicking off summer in a BIG way and can’t wait to celebrate with our amazing Facebook fans all Cinco de Mayo!  Remember to “Like” us on Facebook for a chance to win! Simply head over to Facebook for your chance to win!

Competition is however only open to US citizens!

About Familia Camarena Tequila

With a legacy of six generations of tequila making experience, Familia Camarena Tequila is made from 100% blue agave grown in the Los Altos Highlands region of Jalisco, one of Mexico’s most prestigious tequila districts. Produced in Arandas at the family-owned and operated distillery, each bottle is double distilled, as well as bottled, labeled and packaged by hand. The Familia Camarena Tequila portfolio includes a 100% Blue Agave Silver and a 100% Blue Agave Reposado, which is aged for a minimum of two months in both new and used American oak barrels.

Familia Camarena™ Tequila Takes Top Signature Tequila Cocktail Honors at the 2011 Ultimate Beverage Challenge Competition

Familia Camarena Tequila has knotted yet another prestigious distinction among the professional spirits community. Following the Ultimate Cocktail Challenge held April 5-8 in New York, Familia Camarena Tequila was awarded the 2011 Ultimate Cocktail Challenge Chairman’s Trophy distinction of best original tequila cocktail. The winning Camarena Santa Maria cocktail featuring Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila topped a field of premium tequila competitors in the Ultimate Cocktail Challenge’s first-of-its-kind freestyle cocktail competition designed to objectively distinguish category leaders in premium mixed cocktails.

Executed by a team of top New York City bartenders and judged by a panel of principal spirits journalists and mixologists, including internationally renowned beverage alcohol expert, F. Paul Pacult, original cocktails submitted by spirits brands from across the globe were evaluated on the 100-point scale. Signature cocktails that eclipsed the 90-point mark of excellence received the coveted Ultimate Cocktail Challenge Chairman’s Trophy. Familia Camarena Tequila was one of only two signature tequila recipes to receive Chairman’s Trophy recognition, and the only tequila brand to also receive the “Great Value” distinction, awarded to spirits that offer a superb value/price relationship.

Familia Camarena Tequila’s award-winning recipe:

“Familia Camarena Tequila is honored to receive distinction from the Ultimate Cocktail Challenge as a category standout, both for quality and value, in the premium mixed cocktail competitive beverage evaluation,” said Gerard Thoukis, Director of Marketing for Camarena. “This competition has set a new standard for meaningful and credible spirits evaluation and we sincerely appreciate the endorsement from the industry’s most esteemed experts, educators, journalists and mixologists. This award is invaluable to Familia Camarena Tequila as we continue to expand our premium cocktail presence in the on-premise community.”

Introduced in California and Nevada one year ago and now available in all 50 states, Familia Camarena Tequila has quickly risen to the top as a quality, award-winning 100 percent agave tequila. Earning critical acclaim from the 2010 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Familia Camarena Reposado received a Gold Medal and Familia Camarena Silver received Bronze Medal recognition. The Beverage Testing Institute has recognized both bottlings as “Best Buys” with a 91-point score awarded to Familia Camarena Reposado and a 90-point score to Familia Camarena Silver. Most recently, Familia Camarena Reposado received 94 points, in addition to “Good Value” accolades in the May 2011 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

In partnership with the domestic importer, Alto Spirits LTD, Familia Camarena Tequila is available nationally at a suggested retail price of $20 for each expression in the 750mL size.

About Familia Camarena Tequila

With a legacy of six generations of tequila making experience, Familia Camarena Tequila is made from 100 percent blue agave grown in the Los Altos Highlands region of Jalisco, one of Mexico’s most prestigious tequila districts. Produced in Arandas at the family-owned and operated distillery, each bottle is double distilled, as well as bottled, labeled and packaged by hand. The Familia Camarena Tequila portfolio includes a 100% Blue Agave Silver and a 100% Blue Agave Reposado, which is aged for a minimum of two months in both new and used American oak barrels. For more information on Familia Camarena Tequila, visit www.tequilacamarena.com.

Tequila, Alcohol 40% by Volume (80 proof) ©2011 Altos Spirits Company, Hayward, CA. All rights reserved.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kylie Garrett
Calhoun & Company Communications
(415) 346-2929
kylie@calhounwine.com

Source: Familia Camarena Tequila

Hornitos™ Premium Tequila Announces First National ‘Mariachi Mash Up’ Competition Encouraging Musicians to go ‘Horns Up™’ Mariachi-Style

Grand Prize Winners to Receive “Big Break” Exposure in Billboard Magazine plus $10,000

Hornitos™ Premium Tequila is giving up-and-coming bands a chance at stardom via the new Hornitos Tequila Mariachi Mash Up competition with official media partner Billboard Magazine, announced today.  Whether it’s rock, hip-hop or classical, the national contest challenges musical acts of all types to create their own mariachi-inspired mash up in celebration of the official kick-off to tequila season.

Beginning April 25th on Hornitos’ official Facebook page, the Mariachi Mash Up competition will encourage bands to submit a three minute video incorporating traditional mariachi elements (trumpets, violins or even guitarrons) into a well-known song in order to create a memorable musical mix-up.  Entrants will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges, including Billboard Editor Tye Comer and a tequila expert from Hornitos.

Entrants can select from five well-known songs (list can be found on the Hornitos Facebook page) and have some fun performing their own “Mariachi style” interpretation. The top band will be featured in Billboard Magazine’s coveted “Backbeat” section in a June 2011 issue and will receive a $10,000 cash prize. Contest winners will be announced on June 6th, 2011.

“The Hornitos Mariachi Mash Up Competition is the perfect way to kick off tequila season this year,” says Amy Weisenbach, Senior Director of Tequila, Beam Global Spirits & Wine. “We love the creativity of mash ups and their fresh approach to music, and so Mariachi Mash Up is our unique way of paying homage to a music style that embraces the spirit of tequila. We are excited to give bands a chance to go ‘Horns Up’ in celebration of their win and tequila’s biggest time of the year.”

To be considered for the contest, entrants must meet the following qualifications:

• Participants must be 21+
• Entrants must mash-up songs listed on the website to qualify
• Videos should be no more than 3 minutes in length
• Videos should include the phrase “Horns Up” to celebrate the ritual of enjoying Hornitos tequila with friends

For more information on the Hornitos Tequila Mariachi Mash Up, please visit www.facebook.com/HornitosTequila or www.HornitosTequila.com.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  Must be 21 or older to enter.  Void where prohibited.  Contest begins on April 18, 2011 and ends May 23, 2011.  For complete official rules, visit the Contest tab of the Hornitos Tequila Page on Facebook.

About Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc.:

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. (“Beam Global”) is one of the world’s largest premium spirits companies, encompassing a portfolio of nearly 100 brands (including 10 of the world’s top-100 premium spirits brands), more than a dozen global operating and commercial facilities and 3,200 employees worldwide. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for our brands, including Jim Beam® Bourbon, Sauza® Tequila, Canadian Club® Whisky, Courvoisier® Cognac, Teacher’s® Scotch Whisky, Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, Laphroaig® Scotch Whisky, Cruzan® Rum, Hornitos ™ Tequila, EFFEN® Vodka, Larios® Gin, Whisky DYC®, DeKuyper® Cordials and Knob Creek® Bourbon. Growth through innovation is a key strategy at Beam Global, with Red Stag by Jim Beam® Bourbon, Cruzan® 9 Rum, Maker’s 46™ Bourbon and Courvoisier® 12 Cognac and Courvoisier® 21 Cognac all being launched as new products over the past two years. Beam Global is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), a leading consumer brands company. For more information on Beam Global, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, visit www.beamglobal.com and www.drinksmart.com.