Behind the Booze Brands
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Jim Cole, AP
Behind the Labels
When it comes to booze branding, the stakes are high and getting higher. Global liquor sales tally to $300 billion annually and are growing rapidly. In order to stand out in the marketplace, clever booze brands are relying on historic names and colorful characters. Here's a look behind the labels of some of the world's most popular spirits.
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Next: Captain Morgan -
Cassandra Shie, AOL
Captain Morgan
The real Captain Morgan never made a drop of rum--the brand was launched in the U.S. in 1983--but he did drink himself to death after a depraved life of piracy. Captain Henry Morgan razed cities, tortured locals into giving up their gold, and sexually assaulted women during the 1671 sacking of Panama City. Today, the rum named in his honor is the world's third-best seller, behind Bacardi and Tanduay.
More on Captain Morgan from Forbes
Next: Jack Daniel's -
Charlie Riedel, AP
Jack Daniel's
This is the drink of a man, Jack Daniel, born in either 1846 or 1850 in Lynchburg, Tenn. Jack Daniel started distilling whiskey at the age of nine--and got very good at it. Word spread, and in 1904 he won the gold medal for whiskey at the World's Fair in St. Louis. Today, Jack is marketed as a slice of Americana in Russia and as a sophisticated drop of urbane refinement in India.
More on Jack Daniel's from Forbes
Next: Johnnie Walker -
Mat Szwajkos, Getty Images
Johnnie Walker
At the beginning of the 18th century, the Brits wanted to tax Scottish whiskey. As a result, local producers started making small batches of the stuff in hiding. Quality suffered. Enter John Walker, a grocery store owner from Kilmarnock. He was skilled at blending tea leaves; why not try mixing a variety of the single-malts he carried in his store? The resulting first blended whiskey brand proved popular. Today, Johnnie Walker is the best-selling whiskey in the world.
More on Johnnie Walker from Forbes
Next: Jose Cuervo -
Karen Elshout, St. Louis Post-Dispatch | MCT
Jose Cuervo
José Antonio de Cuervo's namesake liquor began its life after he bagged a land grant from the king of Spain in 1758. When Mexicans fought for independence in the early 1800s, tequila's fortifying effects proved helpful. Today, Mexican heritage is key to Jose Cuervo. In January, the brand launched a new campaign rooted in Mexican pride. It remains the drink of the people: Cuervo is the world's best-selling tequila.
More on Jose Cuervo from Forbes
Next: Smirnoff -
Cesar L. Laure, AP
Smirnoff
Nicolai and Vladimir Smirnov made vodka for czars, so the Bolsheviks took over their business, executed Nicolai and tortured Vlad. Vlad escaped, changed his name and began to make vodka again. John Martin bought the company in 1939 and cases of his vodka were marked, "White Whiskey--No Smell, No Taste." Today, flavored vodkas trade on the drink's inherent mixability.
More on Smirnoff from Forbes
See the Rest of the Gallery at Forbes
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Dunkin' Donuts / AP
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Next: Top-Earning Country Stars -
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Recent Comments
debdl1960 10:22:14 AM Aug 23 2008
Im shopping at walmart later......mind your own business.
Morticia44 02:55:53 PM Aug 21 2008
Instead of researching this why not spend the time researching how to lessen the effects of tornados, hurricanes and floods. Let people live and eat what they want, it's their body, as long as they are happy so be it.
CHADCLAY720 10:37:18 AM Aug 18 2008
Does this mean we don't have to listen to 20 something women tell us how unfair the job world is because of men? Does this also mean we won't have to work with women that have three last names?
Nqek1004 01:40:03 PM Aug 15 2008
R.R. admitted on tv that she is not a chef. It is her personality that sells. You donât have to be the best, but if you have the right attitude you can make happen. Is not her fault, is our fault for supporting her sillies shows. As long she can keep the ratings she will remain on tv. I donât really care, because I donât waste my time watching someone cooking. For me, my wife is my best chef ever. SEX SELL!!!! She is over rate it!!!!
JABCOOL 11:21:53 AM Aug 15 2008
if you have ever made one of her recipes, it is clear why people would be made she makes 18 million, her food sucks
McNab2000 10:44:22 AM Aug 15 2008
I like Rachel Ray a great deal, have since her days on the Food Network. These comments are so personal against her. If you don't like her show, don't watch. What this really comes across as, is a campaign against her by another shows marketing people. I like the fact she is brassy, I like that she is like everyone else. And just for some of you, there is not a cooking show on TV that does not have people helping to cut/chop/dice, set up and clear away. They'd never get these shows out within a 30 minute or hour broadcast if they didn't. Some of you are also great SNOBS. You think because someone didn't take 8 hours to make some dish that no one is satisfied with that only that is great cooking. A true chef cooks. Period. Can take anything in the kitchen and make it great. Rachel does that, with every day food and that is what makes her great. Too many sour grapes in this bunch, you are all jealous. Paula Dean is also a great cook. Those of you sitting here spilling out your vile wish
JEBAMONI4 10:11:37 AM Aug 15 2008
SHE IS AN ATTRACTIVE GOOD COOK. SHE DOES EVERY COOKING BY HERSELF. THE WORST LADY COOK IS PAULA DEEN. SHE WILL ALWAYSHAVE A SIDE KICK WHO WILL DO ALL THE COOKING. PAULA DEEN IS A VERY PHONEY PERSON. IF SHE CONTEST IN IRON CHEF, SHE WILL COME LAST. I DO NOT KNOW WHY SHE IS MADE A JUDGE IN COOKING CONTEST. HAS SHE GONE TO ANY COOKING SCHOOL? SHE IS LIVING IN GLORY ON SOMEBODY'S LABOR AND EFFORTS. I SWITCH OFF THE TV, WHEN I SEE PAULA DEEN'S FACE ON TV.
BBrawler67 11:45:01 AM Aug 01 2008
leave paris hilton alone. shes pretty and she doesnt deserve this shit
LadySiouxChef 12:57:26 PM Jul 26 2008
OOooooooo!!! Orange NEHI!! Boy, does that bring back memories of a great childhood for me, Shirley. If they every bring it back, I hope it's the exact formula.
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