Courvoisier Presents The Official 2006 BET Hip-Hop Awards After Party

Courvoisier Presents The Official 2006 BET Hip-Hop Awards After Party

House of Courvoisier Brings a Luxury Experience to the ATL

DEERFIELD, Ill., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The words of the man who will soon return to hip-hop's throne have never rung more true: "After the show it's the after party" -- the key words in this Jay-Z declaration being "THE after party." Courvoisier, one of the four leading cognac houses worldwide, will serve as the exclusive sponsor and host of The Official BET Hip-Hop Awards After Party at the House of Courvoisier, following the first-ever BET Hip-Hop Awards. House of Courvoisier will indulge 800 invited guests, including a host of today's most influential figures in urban entertainment, sports, fashion, as well as BET Hip-Hop Award recipients, celebrities and press. The House of Courvoisier private VIP event will be held Sunday, November 12 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., at the luxurious 755 Club at Turner Field in Atlanta, which offers spectacular panoramic views of both the home of the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta skyline. A special Courvoisier Presents the BET Hip-Hop Awards Post Show will be taped during the party, providing viewers with a trip down the Black Carpet and an exclusive look inside the House of Courvoisier official after party, featuring commentary and interviews with winners and other VIP guests.

"It's an honor to once again join forces with BET as the sponsor of The Official BET Hip-Hop Awards After Party at the House of Courvoisier," said Allen Spence, brand manager, Courvoisier. "We have watched hip-hop grow from an ambitious art form that was initially met with resistance, evolve into a powerful culture, and progress into what, today, dictates pop culture." Spence noted that many of these artists are among some of the most dominant figures in the entertainment industry, and have remained loyal to their commitment to give back to their communities. "We are proud to salute their achievements. Courvoisier strives to always offer our consumers a luxury experience, providing the finest blend of Cognac that dates back to Napoleon's Imperial Court. This partnership provides the perfect opportunity to do just that, as well as connect with the hip-hop community."

As the exclusive presenting sponsor, premium selection signature Courvoisier cocktails will be served to this elite gathering of influential people in urban entertainment, with discriminating tastes in cognac. House of Courvoisier, maximizing its international reputation of producing the finest cognacs for centuries, savors this opportunity to connect this "everyday attainable luxury" and provide a premium experience for its consumer. Signature cocktails will include:

Courvoisier Cosmopolitan
1/2 part Courvoisier VSOP
1/2 part DeKuyper Triple Sec
Cranberry Juice
Lime Juice
Shake over ice and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime.

Courvoisier Ginger
1 part Courvoisier VSOP
2 parts ginger beer or ginger ale
Mix Courvoisier and ginger beer or ginger ale in a highball glass over
ice. Garnish with lime.

While the who's who of the urban entertainment world sip that perfectly smooth blend of premium Courvoisier cognac cocktails that will be sampled throughout the night, they will get down to the sounds of The Spin Master, the legendary Biz Markie, as he lays down the hottest tracks, guaranteed to keep any dance floor packed. Hosted by comedian Katt Williams, the inaugural BET Hip-Hop Awards premieres Wednesday, November 15 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). The nominees are led by the ATL's own T.I., who received an unprecedented eight nominations, followed by up-and-coming artists Yung Joc with five, and Lupe Fiasco with four. Other nominees include perennial hip-hop heavy hitters Jay- Z, who will drop his highly-anticipated new album Kingdom Come on November 21, Diddy, whose new album Press Play was released October 17th, as well as Kanye West, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes and Oscar winners Three 6 Mafia. Not to be underrepresented in that choice list, is the new wave of hit-makers, whose stock is rising like a good day on Wall Street, such as Young Jeezy, Chamillionaire, Rick Ross and Paul Wall.

About Courvoisier

Courvoisier is one of the four leading cognac houses in the world and continues to excel in the spirits category with its renowned blends including VS, VSOP, Napoleon, X.O., Initial Extra, Millennium and Courvoisier Succession J.S. L'Esprit de Courvoisier is the world's most-exclusive cognac, containing a masterful blend of vintages, including some dating back to the nineteenth century -- the same used to apply to the court of Napoleon and Edward VII. Courvoisier reminds consumers to "drink smart(R)." For more information about Courvoisier cognac and corporate responsibility visit http://www.couvoisier.com/ and http://www.drinksmart.com/ .

About Beam Global Spirits and Wine

Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. is the fourth largest spirits company in the world. With nine of the world's top-100 premium spirits in its portfolio, the company's brands hold global and national leadership positions in key categories, including Jim Beam bourbon; Canadian Club Canadian whisky; Courvoisier cognac; Laphroaig Scotch; Sauza tequila; Larios gin; Whisky DYC; Teacher's Scotch; and DeKuyper cordials. The portfolio also includes Maker's Mark bourbon, Knob Creek bourbon and The Small Batch Bourbon Collection, and Starbucks Liqueurs. Beam Wine Estates is a top-five super-premium wine company in the U.S., featuring Clos du Bois, the number two super-premium U.S. wine brand, and the award-winning Geyser Peak. Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. is part of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE:FO), an $8 billion USD leading consumer brands company. For more information on Beam Global Spirits & Wine and the company's sales and distribution partners, please visit http://www.beamglobal.com/ .

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Courvoisier

CONTACT: Ronald E. Childs, +1-312-986-1260, or Thelma A. Walker,
+1-312-986-1265, both for Courvoisier

Web site: http://www.couvoisier.com/
http://www.drinksmart.com/
http://www.beamglobal.com/

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