BFB Brown-Forman Corporation (Class B)

Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BFB) announced today that it has completed its acquisition of Chambord Liqueur and all related assets from Chatam International Incorporated and its operating subsidiary, Charles Jacquin et Cie Inc., for $255 million dollars in cash, which includes assumed debt. With the close of the transaction, Brown-Forman acquires the Chambord trademark, French manufacturing operations where the brand is produced, and the services of 20 employees who work at the facility. Chambord is a super-premium, black raspberry liqueur that is produced and bottled in France. Often noted for its unique, delicious flavor and distinctive oval packaging, Chambord is highly versatile and, therefore, poised to participate strongly in the exciting "cocktail culture" that is helping drive the growth of spirits today. The brand has grown steadily throughout its 25-year history, with its strongest development thus far in the United States. Lazard acted as exclusive financial advisor to Brown-Forman Corporation in this transaction. Michel Dyens & Co. acted as the exclusive financial advisor for Chatam International Incorporated. Brown-Forman Corporation is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality consumer products, including Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Canadian Mist, Fetzer and Bolla Wines, Korbel California Champagnes, and Hartmann Luggage. Charles Jacquin is a producer, marketer and distributor of quality spirits products under familiar brand names such as Pravda, Jacquin, and Bartender Cocktails. Important Note on Forward-Looking Statements: This report contains statements, estimates, or projections that constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined under U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words "expect," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "will," "anticipate," and "project," and similar expressions identify a forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date the statement is made. Except as required by law, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. We believe that the expectations and assumptions with respect to our forward-looking statements are reasonable. But by their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that in some cases are out of our control. These factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from Brown-Forman's historical experience or our present expectations or projections. Here is a non-exclusive list of such risks and uncertainties: -- changes in general economic conditions, particularly in the United States where we earn the majority of our profits; -- lower consumer confidence or purchasing in the wake of catastrophic events; -- tax increases, whether at the federal or state level or in major international markets and/or tariff barriers or other restrictions affecting beverage alcohol; -- restrictions on alcohol marketing, including advertising and promotion, as a result of stricter governmental policies adopted either in the United States or globally; -- adverse developments in the class action lawsuits filed against Brown-Forman and other spirits, beer and wine manufacturers alleging that our industry conspired to promote the consumption of alcohol by those under the legal drinking age; -- a strengthening U.S. dollar against foreign currencies, especially the British Pound; -- reduced bar, restaurant, hotel and travel business in wake of terrorist attacks or threats, such as occurred in September, 2001 in the U.S. and in July, 2005 in London; -- lower consumer confidence or purchasing associated with rising energy prices; -- a decline in U.S. spirits consumption as might be indicated by recent published trends suggesting a slight reduction in the growth rate of distilled spirits consumption; -- longer-term, a change in consumer preferences, social trends or cultural trends that results in the reduced consumption of our premium spirits brands; -- changes in distribution arrangements in major markets that limit our ability to market our products; -- increases in the price of energy or raw materials, including grapes, grain, wood, glass, and plastic; -- excess wine inventories or a further world-wide oversupply of grapes; -- adverse developments as a result of state investigations of beverage alcohol industry trade practices of suppliers, distributors and retailers.