PERNOD RICARD USA HITS HIGH MARKS AT THE 2016 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE

Pernod Ricard USA Receives Two Chairman Trophy Awards and 14 Premium Spirit Brand Category Finalists

Pernod Ricard USA, the premium spirits and wine company in the US, is pleased to announce its results at the 2016 Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), held at the specially designed Ultimate Beverage Challenge Evaluation Center in Hawthorne, NY. Pernod Ricard’s Redbreast 21 Years Old Irish Pot Still Whiskey and Midleton Very Rare Blended Irish Whiskey were awarded Best in Class ‘Chairman’s Trophy’ top honors. In addition, 14 Pernod Ricard brands were selected as finalists in their respective categories while 15 brands received the ‘Tried & True’ designation, a designation awarded to brands scoring a 90 or higher rating for three consecutive years at USC (full list below).

“We are thrilled to win top honors at the prestigious USC competition and even more so to be honored in such a growing and popular category as Irish whiskey,” said Bryan Fry, President & CEO, Pernod Ricard USA. “Receiving Chairman’s Trophy awards along with the numerous Finalist and Tried and True designations are a testament to the consistent high quality we strive to achieve across our portfolio.”

Founded in 2010, UBC provides expert evaluation of wines and spirits for producers, importers and marketers through its two innovative annual competitions – Ultimate Spirits Challenge and Ultimate Wine Challenge. Based on exacting standards, expert judges and rigorous methodology, UBC raises the standards of spirits and wine evaluation and supplies ratings and accolades to help companies build their brands with buyers, both industry and consumer.

Chairman’s Trophy Winners

Redbreast 21 Years Old Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 98
Midleton Very Rare Blended Irish Whiskey – 97

Pernod Ricard USA brands recognized as Finalists in their categories at this year’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge:

Aberlour A’bunadh Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 98
Aberlour 18 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 97
Aberlour 16 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 97
Beefeater London Dry Gin – 94
Chivas Regal 25 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky – 97
Chivas Regal 18 Years Old Blended Scotch Whisky – 96
Green Spot Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 95
Lot No. 40 Canadian Rye Whisky – 95
Plymouth Gin – 94
Powers John’s Lane Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 95
Redbreast Cask Strength 12 Years Old Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 95
Redbreast 12 Years Old Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 95
Redbreast 15 Years Old Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 94
The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 97

Pernod Ricard USA brands recognized as ‘Tried & True’ (scoring a 90 or higher for three consecutive years) at this year’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge:

Aberlour A’bunadh Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 98
Beefeater London Dry Gin – 94
Beefeater Burrough’s Reserve Gin – 90
Green Spot Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 95
Jameson Black Barrel Blended Irish Whiskey – 94
Midleton Very Rare Blended Irish Whiskey – 97
Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 93
Plymouth Gin – 94
Powers John’s Lane Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 95
Redbreast Cask Strength 12 Years Old Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 95
Redbreast 12 Years Old Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 95
Redbreast 15 Years Old Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 94
The Glenlivet Nadurra Oloroso 16 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 93
Olmeca Altos Plata, 100% Agave Tequila – 92
Olmeca Altos Reposado, 100% Agave Tequila – 92

All other Pernod Ricard USA brands that scored 90 or higher at this year’s Ultimate Spirits Challenge:

Aberlour 12 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 92
Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin – 93
Chivas Regal Extra Blended Scotch Whisky – 92
Pernod Absinthe – 90
Pike Creek Canadian Whiskey – 90
Scapa Skiren Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 90
Seagram’s Distillers Reserve Gin – 93
Smithworks Vodka – 92
The Glenlivet Nadurra First Fill Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 96
The Glenlivet Nadurra Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 94
The Glenlivet 18 Years Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 92
The Glenlivet 12 Years Old single Malt Scotch Whisky – 96
Yellow Spot 12 Years Old Irish Pot Still Whiskey – 93

About Pernod Ricard USA

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).

The company’s leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Tequila Avión®, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa®, Aberlour Single Malt Scotch, Olmeca Altos™, Beefeater® Gin, Lot No. 40™ and Pike Creek®, Midleton®, Paddy®, Powers®, Redbreast®, Plymouth®, Seagram’s® Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Lillet®, Hiram Walker®, Pernod®, Ricard®; and such superior wines as Kenwood Vineyards®, Brancott Estate®, Campo Viejo®, Graffigna® and Jacob’s Creek®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.

Pernod Ricard USA is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and in moderation. For more information, please visit: www.responsibility.org.