Hiram Walker(R) Liqueurs Introduces Two New Schnapps Flavors - Pink Grapefruit And Pear -

-The First Pink Grapefruit and Pear Flavored Schnapps Available In The U.S.-

Hiram Walker, the classic, diverse line of premium liqueurs made with all-natural flavors for real fruit taste, is continuing a long tradition of innovation by introducing the industry's first Pink Grapefruit and Pear flavored schnapps. The launch of these two new Hiram Walker Schnapps flavors capitalizes on the soaring popularity of flavored cocktails and reinforces Pernod Ricard USA's commitment to solidifying Hiram Walker's position as a leading player in the dynamic liqueurs category.

"Flavor is the name of the game in the liqueurs category," says Ron Zussman, Brand Director for Hiram Walker at Pernod Ricard USA. "The category has grown 25% over the past six years* spurred primarily by new flavor introductions and consumers' continued fascination with cocktails." Zussman continued, "At Hiram Walker, we are focused on developing new flavors that satisfy consumers' ever expanding and evolving taste palates. Our research shows that pink grapefruit and pear are flavors whose sophisticated yet familiar tastes attract consumer and bartender interest. They are delicious and affordable additions to the Hiram Walker portfolio."

Like all of the 38 flavors in the family, both Hiram Walker Pink Grapefruit and Pear Schnapps are made with all natural flavors for a fresh and authentic taste experience. "Both of these new flavors are extremely versatile," adds Zussman, "They mix well with vodka, gin, rum, tequila and even brown spirits and will be available just in time for the peak summer season, when fruit flavored cocktails are popular both on-premise and for entertaining at home."

The Spring launch of Hiram Walker Pink Grapefruit and Hiram Walker Pear Schnapps will be supported with a full array of marketing initiatives including trade advertising, sampling (where legal) and on- and off-premise point of sale materials including pre-packed recipe neckers and case cards for cross merchandising with vodka, table tents and bartender recipes booklets. Both products will be available in 50 ml, 750 ml and 1 L sizes and will be sold -- along with other top Hiram Walker Schnapps flavors -- at a suggested retail price of $8.99-11.99 for the 750 ml.

  A few delicious cocktail recipes include:

  PearTini
  1 part Hiram Walker(R) Pear Schnapps
  1 part Stoli(R) Vodka
  Shake over ice and strain into martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

  Pearsian Kat
  2 parts Hiram Walker(R) Pear Schnapps
  1 part Hiram Walker(R) Creme de Cacao White
  1 part Stoli(R) Vodka
  Shake over ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with chocolate
  shavings.

  PinkTini
  1 part Hiram Walker(R) Pink Grapefruit Schnapps
  1 part Stoli(R) Vodka
  Shake over ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime twist

  Icy Pink
  1 part Hiram Walker(R) Pink Grapefruit Schnapps
  1 part Beefeater(R) Gin
  1/2 part lemon juice
  Dash bitters
  Shake over ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lime twist

  * Source: Adams Handbooks

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, flavored brandies 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 38 schnapps flavors, flavored brandies and bar essentials. 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 flavored brandies include Coffee, Apricot and Blackberry. Triple Sec, 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.

About Pernod Ricard USA

Pernod Ricard USA, based in White Plains, N.Y., is a leading producer, importer and marketer of prized spirits and wine brands in the United States and is one of the fastest growing subsidiaries of the world's #2 spirits company and #3 wine company, Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard, S.A. The completion of Pernod Ricard's acquisition of Allied Domecq in 2005 vaulted Pernod Ricard USA to the forefront of the U.S. spirits market, doubling the company's sales value and market share. The company is now the third largest in the U.S. spirits industry by sales value and the fourth largest by sales volume in the U.S.

Pernod Ricard USA's leading brands include Kahlua(R) Liqueur, Chivas Regal(R) Scotch whisky, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin(R), Malibu(R) flavored Rum, Stolichnaya(R) Vodkas, Jameson(R) Irish Whiskey, The Glenlivet(R) Single Malt Scotch whisky, Wild Turkey(R) Bourbon, Beefeater(R) Gin, Hiram Walker(R) Liqueurs and Martell(TM) Cognac, as well as Jacob's Creek(R) and Brancott Estate(R) wines, Perrier Jouet(R) Champagne, Mumm(R) Champagne and Mumm Napa(TM) wines, and Pernod(R) and Ricard(R) Liquors. Enjoy Pernod Ricard's brands responsibly and in moderation.

Source: Pernod Ricard USA

Website: http://www.pernod-ricard-usa.com