Oct 17, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATCHISON, Kan., October 17, 2013-In response to growing customer interest and as part of increased distillery product development initiatives, MGP has added grain neutral spirits (GNS) distilled from wheat to its portfolio of world-class beverage alcohol offerings.

"We are very excited to announce the introduction of this superb, high quality product to the marketplace," said David Dykstra, vice president of alcohol sales and marketing. "Not only does it expand the scope and variety of premium spirits MGP is able to provide, but it also demonstrates our commitment to proactively address the evolving needs and requests of our customers."

Dykstra described the new GNS product as having "an exceptionally smooth taste, pleasant mouth feel and very neutral odor." He added that production of this latest extension to the company's string of beverage alcohol innovations was launched at MGP's Atchison, Kan., distillery in August and samples "have received outstanding reviews."

MGP is a long-time expert in wheat, as well as other areas of grain science, and "has used this knowledge of wheat's distinct properties and qualities to apply to our distillery operations on a noteworthy scale for the first time in the company's history," according to Dykstra. "For our customer partners, our new GNS product provides yet another excellent choice for differentiating or expanding their branded products in the market," he added.

Based on initial results and feedback, "we currently are exploring possibilities for developing future line extensions distilled from wheat, while simultaneously continuing efforts to increase our offerings of beverage alcohol products derived from corn, rye and other grain sources," Dykstra said.

This past spring, MGP announced the development of six additional mash bills for the production of new rye, malt and wheat whiskeys, as well as new bourbons, at the company's Lawrenceburg, Ind., facility. These additions include the following: two new rye whiskeys, one made from 51% rye and 49% barley malt, and the other made with 51% rye, 45% corn and 4% barley malt; a 95% wheat whiskey; a 100% barley malt whiskey; and two bourbons, one produced with 45% wheat, and the other produced with 49% barley malt.

"The development of all of these products reflects the continuation of MGP's legacy as a leading innovator in the distilled spirits industry," Dykstra said. "This legacy is built on our strong and genuine desire to satisfy a growing and diversified mix of customer needs, resulting in our ability to provide those we serve with a wider, more distinctive selection of world-class beverage alcohol options."

Additional details regarding MGP's comprehensive lines of premium whiskeys, bourbons, grain neutral spirits and distilled gins, along with capabilities for creating custom formulations, can be obtained by accessing the company's website, mgpingredients.com, or by contacting a member of the beverage alcohol sales team at 913.360.5211.

About MGP

MGP is a leading independent supplier of premium spirits, offering flavor innovations and custom distillery blends to the beverage alcohol industry. The company also produces high quality food grade industrial alcohol and formulates grain-based starches and proteins into nutritional and highly functional ingredients for the branded consumer packaged goods industry. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where a variety of distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are manufactured. Distilled spirits are also produced at company facilities in the adjacent towns of Lawrenceburg and Greendale, Indiana.