Ballantine's Champions Leave an Impression at Unique Golf Challenge

Ballantine's Celebrates Launch of 2010 Championship Blend and 50th Anniversary of First Golf Tournament

LONDON, February 24, 2010 - Two leading golfers, who won Ballantine's Tournaments almost
50 years apart, met at the iconic Wentworth Golf Club to put modern-day golf
clubs to the test against equipment first used half a century ago,
highlighting the evolution of the game.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/ballantines/40784/

Neil Coles, Chairman of the European Tour Board of Directors
and winner of the second Ballantine's Golf Tournament in 1961, played with
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, winner of the 2008 Ballantine's
Championship in Korea. The pair first used Cole's original wooden clubs and
1.62 balls and then compared them to the latest modern equivalents.

The event was organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of
the first Ballantine's golf tournament and the launch of the 2010
Championship Blend. A priceless, limited edition Scotch whisky, the blend
combines extremely rare grains and malts taken from the time of the first
Ballantine's golf tournaments fifty years ago. The inaugural tournament, held
at Wentworth Club in 1960 introduced the big ball to the game and attracted
some of the most well respected players of the day.

The creation of an exclusive blend has become an annual
tradition ahead of Korea's biggest golf tournament - the Ballantine's
Championship - which is hosted on the picturesque island of Jeju from 22-25
April 2010. Of the precious 20 bottles made, one will be presented to the
winner of the Championship.

For the third successive year Graeme McDowell, who is also a
global ambassador for Ballantine's, will participate in the South Korea.

McDowell commented, "Celebrating the heritage of Ballantine's
involvement in golf has been a fantastic experience. I have a lot of respect
for Neil and his contemporaries as playing with his old MacGregor Tourney
wasn't easy - I think I'll stick to my current day clubs. It was no surprise
that the whisky was fantastic and the possibility of winning a bottle in
Korea makes me look forward to the Ballantine's Championship even more. "

Peter Moore, Ballantine's Global Brand Director added, "We're
thrilled that Neil and Graeme were able to join and celebrate 50 years of
Ballantine's and golf with us in such a creative way. Both players showed
real style in winning their respective Ballantine's golf tournaments and we'd
like to thank them for once again leaving an impression on the golf course
through this challenge. We wish Graeme the best of luck for the 2010
tournament in April and look forward to presenting the 2010 Championship
Blend to the next Ballantine's champion!"

Also signed up to take part are South Korea's Y.E. Yang, 38,
who made history as the first Asian-born player to win a major, following a
memorable head-to-head with world No 1 Tiger Woods at the US PGA in August
last year. The home signing will help reinforce Korea's growing reputation
for world-class golf on the international circuit.

The Ballantine's Championship is Asia's fourth biggest golf
tournament and the largest sporting event in Korea. It is now an established
platform which drives Ballantine's long-term relationship with the iconic
sport.

Editor's Notes

The Result - Although Graeme found using the old clubs pretty
tough, he made par on the 17th using the old equipment, and bogeyed the
second with his current gear.

Neil Coles made a bogey four with the 1960s equipment on 17, and a
bogey five with the modern clubs on 18.

About Ballantine's

Ballantine's is the world's No 2 range of blended Scotch
whisky and has won over 60 trophies and medals at international competitions
in the past 10 years for quality as a result of its unique richness of
character and perfect balance. The range, from Ballantine's Finest to the
iconic 30 Year Old, is the most extensive in the world of Scotch and is
maintained by the latest in a tradition of master blenders that dates back to
1827.

    - Ballantine's has been title sponsor of the Ballantine's
      Championship since 2008 and has committed to the event until 2013
    - Ballantine's is an official sponsor of the Barclay's Scottish
      Open, held every July at the exclusive Loch Lomond Golf Club
    - Ballantine's was also sponsor of The Omega Mission Hills World
      Cup, held in China in 2009
    - The first Ballantine's sponsored golf tournament was played in
      1960 at Wentworth Golf Club, England

About Chivas Brothers

Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business
of Pernod Ricard - the world's co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers
is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky with a portfolio that includes
Chivas Regal, Ballantine's, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute,
Aberlour, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and
Passport.

    For further information or images:
    Jennie Brown
    International PR Manager
    Chivas Brothers
    Telephone: +44(0)20-8250-1739

For further information or images: Jennie Brown, International PR Manager, Chivas Brothers, Telephone: +44(0)20-8250-1739