NEW LIQUEUR INFUSES COCKTAILS WITH SOPHISTICATED TASTE AND CRISP, ALL-NATURAL FLAVOR

NEW YORK, August 2006 - An ancient and enduring symbol of passion and vitality, the pomegranate is known to many as the "love apple" and the symbol of Hera, the Olympic goddess of marriage and relationships. Today, the slightly sweet, slightly tart flavor of the pomegranate is one of the most talked about and sought-after tastes, as well as the inspiration for the new Hiram Walker® Pomegranate Schnapps. As a leading producer of premium-quality liqueurs, brandies and other bar essentials, Hiram Walker is pleased to introduce the world's first pomegranate schnapps made with all-natural, real fruit flavor, joining the brand's full line of 35 other all-natural flavors.

Hiram Walker Pomegranate Schnapps offer a unique taste sensation, elevating today's most popular cocktails to new heights by mixing flawlessly with vodka, gin, rum, tequila and even champagne. Hitting the shelves this August in time for summer entertaining and to herald a new fall/holiday season, the vibrantly-colored, flavorful Hiram Walker Pomegranate Schnapps will retail for approximately $8.99 to $12.99 per 750ml bottle. 50ml and 1L sizes will also be available.

"In launching our new Pomegranate Schnapps, Hiram Walker is making it easy to bring the luscious goodness and sophisticated flavor of pomegranate to the cocktail culture," says Ron Zussman, Brand Director, Hiram Walker. "Hiram Walker has long been a leading cocktail authority, and we are committed to spotting flavor trends and offering our consumers new and exciting ways to enjoy their cocktails as a complement to their modern lifestyles."

"Hiram Walker Pomegranate Schnapps is poised to become the most sought after and popular cocktail option on the scene today."

Hiram Walker Pomegranate Schnapps: A Stylish Choice
Recently awarded several "Superb" and "Recommended Best Buy" designations from Wine Enthusiast magazine and lauded as the only line featuring real fruit flavors, Hiram Walker products are as versatile as they are refreshing, with Hiram Walker Pomegranate Schnapps a shining example. Hiram Walker Pomegranate Schnapps infuse the traditional martini, margarita and champagne cocktail with color, taste and style.

"Hiram Walker Pomegranate Schnapps offers a perfect and practical solution to making pomegranate cocktails that pomegranate juice or expensive liqueurs simply cannot provide," adds Ron Zussman.

In celebration of the launch, Hiram Walker's mixologist has created two signature cocktails, the Hiram Walker PomeTini and the Hiram Walker PomeRita:

Hiram Walker PomeTini 1 part Hiram Walker Pomegranate Schnapps 1 part Stoli™ Vodka Shake over ice Add a splash of lemon-lime soda (optional) Serve in a chilled martini glass Garnish with a twist of lemon

Hiram Walker PomeRita 1 part Hiram Walker Pomegranate Schnapps 1 part premium Tequila ½ part Hiram Walker Triple Sec ½ part Lime Juice Shake over ice Serve in a salt-rimmed glass

About Hiram Walker Liqueurs
Introduced in 1856, Hiram Walker Liqueurs pioneered numerous distillation and manufacturing processes that are now industry standards. For example, Hiram Walker was one of the first product lines to begin placing labels on its bottles.

Hiram Walkers' schnapps, brandy and bar essential lines now sport a new, contemporary look, including actual photography on the labels to highlight the all-natural flavors used to create the liqueurs. Hiram Walker is one of a very few manufacturers to utilize only all-natural flavors in its entire liqueurs line-up. The Hiram Walker logo has also been refreshed to reflect Hiram Walker's rich history and sophisticated style. Finally, the bottle has been redesigned with ridges on the collar, allowing for a better grip and easier pouring.

The line of Hiram Walker products consists of 36 schnapps flavors, brandies and cocktail ingredients. Hiram Walker schnapps include Sour Apple, Peppermint, Peach, Butterscotch and newly introduced Pomegranate, Tangerine and Mango. Hiram Walker's Peppermint Schnapps is the category leader, owning about 30 percent of the peppermint schnapps category. Its brandies include Coffee, Apricot and Blackberry, which owns 21 percent of the blackberry brandy category. Blue Curacao, Creme de Menthe, Creme de Cacao, Amaretto and Triple Sec round-out the bar essentials line. Hiram Walker's Triple Sec is responsible for roughly 20 percent of total triple sec category sales.

Please drink responsibly. © Pernod Ricard USA, White Plains, NY