SAN FRANCISCO, CA (November 2, 2010) – Who says whiskies are just for men!?! In increasing numbers, women are finding and sharing their favorite single malts, blends, bourbons and rye, but all too often, they are ignored by whisk(e)y companies. Skyy Spirits, the wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Campari and eighth largest spirits company in the US, has recognized the trend and responded by launching “Skyy Spirits Women & Whiskies,” an interactive community managed by women for women who love the alluring spirit.  www.facebook.com/womenandwhiskies

“After nearly a decade of attending whisk(e)y events around the country, we began to see more and more women coming to the table asking great questions. As a result, we wanted to create a community of like-minded women and empower them with knowledge to feel confident when ordering or discussing whiskies,” said Ms. Randal Stewart, PR and Events Manager specializing in whiskies.

Women & Whiskies is supported by the extensive Skyy Spirits portfolio of world-class whiskies that include Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cutty Sark® Scotch Whisky, The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Hibiki® Whisky and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.

“With such a deep portfolio of whiskies from nearly every category, we felt we were in a unique position to share our knowledge with a very enthusiastic audience who is looking to move beyond the Cosmo to spirits and cocktails with more flavor and character,” said Nathalie Phillips, The Glenrothes Brand Manager.

The program launched this month with a sold-out event in New York’s trendy Chelsea neighborhood. Professional, sophisticated women gathered to sample different whiskies from Scotland, the U.S. and Japan, find out the differences among the regions and sip delicious whisk(e)y cocktails, including the Glen Grant Zinger, The Glenrothes Rob Roy, and Hibiki Falling Leaves.

Hibiki Falling Leaves

1 ½ oz Hibiki 12 year

2 oz Apple Cider

¼ oz Cinnamon-infused Agave Syrup*

¼ oz fresh Lemon Juice

Shake and serve on the rocks in a rocks glass. Dust with nutmeg and garnish with a lemon wedge. *To make cinnamon-infused agave syrup, boil water with two cinnamon sticks, then combine with agave syrup in a one-to-one ratio.

Glen Grant Zinger

1 oz Glen Grant 10 year old

4 oz Sparkling Apple Cider Juice

Squeeze of Fresh Lime Juice

Serve over ice in a rocks glass and garnish with an apple slice.

The Glenrothes Rob Roy

2 ½ oz Glenrothes Select Reserve

1 tsp Sweet Vermouth

1 tsp Dry Vermouth

Serve in a Collins glass with ice. Garnish with a brandied cherry.

The group will host future events in other U.S. cities. The Women & Whiskies community builds on Facebook, where a lively group of fabulous women (and some supportive men) discuss the virtues of the mighty brown spirit.

Event and cocktail images available upon request.

About Skyy Spirits, LLC

Skyy Spirits, LLC is the US-based wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Campari (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM) and is the eighth-largest spirits company in the US.  Launched in 1992 with the introduction of its flagship brand, SKYY® Vodka, Skyy Spirits has grown exponentially, building a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers.  Skyy Spirits manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US of such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY90®, SKYY Infusions®, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey®, Russell’s Reserve®, Glen Grant® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Espolón™ Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur®, Frangelico® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®.  Skyy Spirits is also the exclusive US distributor of Cutty Sark® Scotch Whisky, The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Carolans Irish Cream®, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Midori® Melon Liqueur, ZEN Green Tea Liqueur TM, Hibiki® Whisky and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.

Skyy Spirits was founded and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More information on the company can be found at www.skyyspirits.com, www.facebook.com/skyyspirits, Twitter: SkyySpirits and www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Skyy Spirits brands responsibly and in moderation.

About Gruppo Campari

Gruppo Campari is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with a leading position in the Italian and Brazilian markets and a strong presence in the US and Continental Europe. The Group has an extensive portfolio that spans three business segments: spirits, wines and soft drinks. In the spirits segment its internationally renowned brands, such as Campari and SKYY Vodka, stand out. It also has leading regional brands including Aperol, Cabo Wabo, CampariSoda, Cynar, Glen Grant, Ouzo 12, Zedda Piras, X-Rated and the local Brazilian brands Dreher, Old Eight and Drury’s. Its wine segment boasts the global brand Cinzano, as well as important regional brands including Liebfraumilch, Mondoro, Odessa, Riccadonna, Sella & Mosca and Teruzzi & Puthod. The soft drinks segment comprises the non-alcoholic aperitif Crodino and Lemonsoda as well as its respective line extension dominating the Italian market. The Group employs over 2,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano, are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange. www.camparigroup.com

YAMAZAKI 1984

NEW YORK CITY (July 29, 2009) – Suntory Limited proudly announces the limited introduction of YAMAZAKI® 1984 Single Malt Whisky in the US, commemorating the company’s 110th anniversary as well as the 25th anniversary of the YAMAZAKI brand. This October, only 300 individually-numbered bottles of this precious liquid will be released in the United States. Smooth and full-bodied, Suntory YAMAZAKI is the superlative single malt whisky of Japan. YAMAZAKI 1984 has a distinctive, cinnamon-like flavor, the result of its key malt, aged in Japanese mizunara casks, the hidden treasure of Suntory. All of the malt whiskies featured in YAMAZAKI 1984 were originally distilled in 1984. The new YAMAZAKI 1984 joins the existing marques, aged for 12 or 18 years.

About Yamazaki 1984
Handcrafted at the oldest distillery in Japan, Suntory YAMAZAKI 1984 is made from the purest natural ingredients distilled through the art of Japanese craftsmanship in perfect harmony with nature. Indeed, Suntory YAMAZAKI is made with the same pure water used in Japan’s most esteemed tea ceremonies. With a rich, sophisticated character all its own, Yamazaki’s secret lies in the harmonious marriage of single malt matured in three different oak casks – American, Spanish and Japanese.

As the supply of casks became limited in the 1940’s, Suntory turned to making its own casks from Japanese mizunara oak. The coopers discovered the porous wood was prone to leaks; blenders found that the mizunara imparted overbearing aromas and taste to the malts stored within. But their dismay turned to delight when they discovered, after the long period of aging, the mizunara oak casks added a distinctive touch to the whisky, endowing it with sweet fragrance reminiscent of incense.

The Suntory YAMAZAKI Whisky-Making Process
While YAMAZAKI production is very similar to the Scottish process, key differences lie in the use of selected barley strains and peating levels, along with the legendary, ultra pure waters from the outskirts of Kyoto to produce its smooth, honeyed taste.

The Suntory YAMAZAKI production process begins with the selection of the finest barley according to strict quality standards. The barley germinates on exposure to moisture and air, producing enzymes that will later convert starch into sugars. The grains of malt are then ground into grist and mixed with pure water from the Vale of Yamazaki. This mixture yields a sweet liquid called wort.

Adding the finest yeast to the wort begins the fermentation process. Differing from Scottish whisky, Yamazaki uses wooden washbacks to ferment the wash longer, giving the whisky its creamy flavor. The resulting wash is distilled twice in copper pots. Only the distinctive middle cut of the second distillation is collected to become whisky.

After the distillation process is complete, the new spirits are aged in the selection of Japanese, American and Spanish oak casks, where the whisky matures to its amber color and smooth taste.

Tasting Notes
On the nose, YAMAZAKI 1984 opens with notes of cinnamon, ripe fruit, vanilla and incense. On the palate, it offers a sweet, pleasantly sour and mature taste with a lasting depth of flavor. The finish is lingering and slightly sweet. Its color is a deep red amber.

History of Japanese Whisky
The history of Japanese whisky began in 1923 when Shinjiro Torii, the founder of Suntory and the father of Japanese whisky, built Japan’s first malt whisky distillery in the Vale of Yamazaki. Located on the outskirts of Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, this proved to be the ideal environment for whisky production.

A good whisky is born of pure water and a climate where cool temperatures and high humidity create an ideal maturation environment. The Vale of Yamazaki is famed for its pure waters, prized by the famous Japanese tea ceremony master Senno Rikyu. The Yamazaki distillery, where whisky was crafted from pure malt using copper pot stills, was the first of its kind outside of Scotland.

Today, Suntory YAMAZAKI is the most popular single malt whisky in Japan and is enjoyed by whisky connoisseurs the world over. Suntory YAMAZAKI was ranked the world’s thirteenth bestselling single malt whisky in terms of cases sold in 2008, and is currently exported to around 25 countries, including the United States.

Enjoying Suntory YAMAZAKI
The complex aromas and flavors of Suntory YAMAZAKI can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. The ideal method to appraise its rich, fruity aroma is to enjoy YAMAZAKI straight, either as an aperitif or after-dinner drink. Tasting Suntory YAMAZAKI on the rocks is an excellent way to appreciate its smoothness and flavor.

Product Name, Volume, Suggested Retail Price, Alcohol Content, Packaging:
The YAMAZAKI 1984 Single Malt Whisky, 750 ml, $550-$650, 48%, 6 bottles
Date Available: Gradual release starting October, 2009
Sales Area: Select US Markets

For more information on YAMAZAKI, please visit www.yamazakiusa.com. The fine line of YAMAZAKI single malt whiskies is distributed by Skyy Spirits in the US.

Suntory Ltd.

Suntory Ltd. is one of the world’s leading wine and spirits companies. Founded in 1899, Suntory was the first company to introduce western-style spirits to Japan. Suntory’s businesses today encompass liquor, including whisky, shochu, wine and beer; food products; soft drinks; floral products; restaurants; and sports. Suntory exports a wide range of authentic Japanese whiskies and liqueurs to 35 countries, including the United States. Made with exceptional Japanese craftsmanship, these include the unique melon liqueur MIDORI, which is especially popular in the U.S., and YAMAZAKI Single Malt Whisky, Japan’s premier single malt whisky. With its head office in Osaka, the Suntory Group comprises 170 companies operating in 17 countries.

About Skyy Spirits, LLC

Skyy Spirits, LLC is the US-based wholly owned subsidiary of Gruppo Campari (Reuters CPRI:MI – Bloomberg CPR IM) and the definitive marketer and distributor of super-premium and luxury spirits brands in North America. Launched in 1992 with the introduction of its flagship brand, SKYY® Vodka, Skyy Spirits has grown exponentially, building a portfolio unrivaled in its quality, innovation and style, making it a top choice among distributors, retailers and consumers. Skyy Spirits manages Gruppo Campari’s portfolio in the US of such leading brands as SKYY® Vodka, SKYY90®, SKYY InfusionsTM, Campari®, Wild Turkey® Straight Kentucky Bourbon, American Honey^TM, Russell’s Reserve®, Cabo Wabo® Tequila, Ouzo 12®, X-Rated® Fusion Liqueur® and Jean-Marc XO Vodka®. Skyy Spirits is also the exclusive US distributor of Cutty Sark® Scotch Whisky, The Glenrothes® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Auchentoshan® Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Glen Garioch® Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Flor de Caña® Rum, Carolans Irish Cream®, Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey®, Irish Mist® Liqueur, Midori® Melon Liqueur, ZEN Green Tea Liqueur TM and The Yamazaki® Single Malt Whisky.

Skyy Spirits was founded and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. More information on the company can be found at www.skyyspirits.com and www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy Skyy Spirits brands responsibly and in moderation.

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Contact: pr@skyy.com