Karnataka - June 27, 2008 : United Spirits Limited, the world's 3 rd largest spirits company, introduced McDowell's No 1 Whisky in a contemporary new pack in Mangalore today, with the Kannada Superstar, Upendra. This move comes in at a time when McDowell's No 1 is aggressively expanding its consumer footprint across the country and further ramping up its share of the prestige whisky market in India. Claessens, one of the largest design houses based in London, have re-designed the pack for McDowell's No.1, with an enhanced international appeal.

Commenting on the new packaging, Philip Sargunar A B, COO South, United Spirits Limited, said, "McDowell's No.1 is one of the top focus brands at United Spirits. Investments every year to make the brand bigger and better are a reflection of our commitment to enthuse our brand loyalists and attract new customers. We believe that the new pack will further build the McDowell's No 1 equity. We believe these exciting brand initiatives will further accelerate the international expansion of the brand."

According to a report by Impact International Magazine, McDowell's No 1 was rated as the fastest growing and 4 th largest selling whisky in the world. PASH Beverage Research, UK recently published that McDowell's No.1 is the largest FMCG brand in the country pegged at a retail value of Rs. 7600crs and is the world's largest spirits brand family . This makes the brand relevant to a much larger customer franchise than any competitor brands. McDowell's No 1 whisky sold over 9 million cases last year. The brand has grown significantly since last year and has beaten the industry growth rates. McDowell' No 1 is on its way to becoming the largest selling whisky in India. The new brand look in Karnataka is another step towards realising this objective.

In an attempt to further widen the customer base, United Spirits has announced a series of brand changes. These include the creation of a new brand identity, labels and packaging and the introduction of the attractive monocarton. This is backed by an innovative approach to marketing that includes special creatives, below-the-line activations and consumer contacts to generate awareness about the new initiatives.

About United Spirits:

United Spirits Limited (USL) is the INR 4000 crore (USD 1 billion) spirits arm of the UB Group. USL was earlier McDowell and Company Limited. USL is headquartered in Bangalore with a global footprint and has 6000 employees across various locations. USL has a portfolio of more than 104 brands, of which 16 are millionaire brands (selling more than a million cases each year) and has manufacturing and bottling units in 67 locations across the country.

USL represents the merged entities of erstwhile McDowell & Co. Limited, Phipson Distillery Limited, United Spirits Limited, Herbertsons Limited, Triumph Distillers and Vinters Private Limited, Baramati Grape Industries Limited, United Distillers India Limited, McDowell International Brands Limited and Shaw Wallace Distilleries Limited. The erstwhile McDowell & Co. Limited was first established as a proprietary business in 1826. For detailed information, please visit www.unitedspirits.in

About Claessens International Limited:

Claessens International have over the last two decades built a reputation as experts of creation & repositioning of brands. They have undertaken pack communication assignments for every major spirit producer worldwide. They have worked with majors from their place of operations London to Japan, Australia to Iceland and now even India.

United Spirits Limited has had a long standing association with Claessens who has designed not just the previous N1 whisky label & bottle but has also been part of the McDowell's family by contributing on the brandy & rum brands as well. Bagpiper is the other brand on which Claessens skills have been put to use.