Davis Polk advised Barclays Bank PLC and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as dealer managers in connection with a modified Dutch auction tender offer by Beam Inc. (formerly Fortune Brands Inc.) for €281,163,000 of the outstanding 4% notes due 2013 issued by Fortune Brands, Inc.

Based in Deerfield, Illinois, Beam Inc. is a leading consumer products company with operating companies that make and sell branded products worldwide in the Spirits market. Beam Inc. is the continuation of the Spirits segment of Fortune Brands, Inc. following the separation of Fortune Brand’s three business segments. Its subsidiaries sell under global brand names including Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark.

The Davis Polk corporate team included partner Nigel D. J. Wilson and associates Radoslaw Michalak and Jonathon Jackson. All members of the Davis Polk team are in the London office.