Tumi, Ketel One Vodka partner for second year, launch for gift-giving season a collection of stainless steel mixology utensils in a coated Italian canvas backpack with black leather trim, which is meant to also hold two liter-sized Ketel One Vodka bottles

Elyse Blye

NEW YORK , November 1, 2013 (press release) – Partnership Introduces a Collection of Coveted Travel Essentials

TUMI, the leading international brand of premium travel, business and lifestyle accessories in collaboration with the cocktail connoisseur's brand of choice, Ketel One® Vodka will continue to celebrate their shared heritage of design excellence this holiday season. They collectively raise the bar, taking their shared passion for craftsmanship, innovation and artisanal design to introduce the Mixology Collection. Launching November 2013 for the gift-giving season, each impressive piece caters to cocktail aficionados, entertainment enthusiasts and global travelers alike.

New this year, the Mixology Backpack is tailored to serve up the needs of the modern-day on the go mixologist. Made of a coated Italian canvas with black leather trim, the exclusive backpack offers a host of versatile and iconic elements, including a signature TUMI leather luggage tag, co-branded with the Ketel One Vodka logo, and a leather monogram patch. Two exterior, water-resistant pockets on each side securely hold liter-sized bottles of Ketel One Vodka. The main opening, in black interior lining accentuated with gunmetal hardware, fully unzips to reveal a spacious compartment. In it, expandable pockets neatly stock polished, stainless steel utensils including a shaker, 1 oz. and 2 oz. jigger and mixing spoon. Also nestled inside the main compartment, a sleek removable pouch holds the essential bar accoutrements to blend the perfect drink anywhere, ideal for the on the go traveler. A second zippered opening is large enough for other gear, such as laptops and iPads.

"We are thrilled to continue our partnership and expand our line with TUMI to bring cocktail enthusiasts more accessories to create top-quality mixed drinks this holiday season," said Carl Nolet Jr, 11th Generation of 322 year old Nolet Distillery. "TUMI'S understanding of today's sophisticated traveler, paired with Ketel One's deep appreciation of craft, adds up to the ultimate mobile bar that allows for mixologists to create and serve cocktails anywhere while always being responsible."

"Like the Ketel One consumer, TUMI customers are attracted to brands and products that are truly 'best in class', serving up a collection of handcrafted products and quality design," said Alan Krantzler, SVP Brand Management. "Celebrating our second season together, the TUMI Ketel One Mixology Set and Mixology Backpack offer the individual who enjoys entertaining something unique and purposeful."

Returning for a second season, the TUMI Mixology Set is a truly luxurious option for the aesthete on anyone's list. Earl Grey coated canvas with black leather trim detail richly updates this Italian-made piece, inspired by TUMI's premium trunk silhouette. The set opens to reveal a well-appointed bar for the modern traveler who covets custom-made quality and meticulous attention to detail. Upon unlatching, a collection of stainless steel utensils are positioned inside custom-fit pockets to remain perfectly poised:

Leather bottle holders, custom-sized to fit Ketel One
Two premium martini glasses with removable supports that double as coasters
Ice bucket, tongs and scoop
Zester metal bar spoon
Vermouth spritzer
Two olive picks
Removable beech wood cutting board with integrated recess for signature TUMI knife
Shaker with 1 oz. and 2 oz. jigger

The TUMI Mixology Collection will be available in November 2013 at select TUMI stores worldwide and on tumi.com.

About TUMI

TUMI (TUMI) is the leading international brand of premium travel, business and lifestyle accessories. TUMI's heritage of design excellence is one that appeals to the global traveler. The brand is sold in over 200 stores from New York to Paris to London and Tokyo, as well as the world's top department and specialty stores and travel retail in more than 75 countries. TUMI's success over the past three decades can be traced to its continual focus on its founding principles of design excellence, functional superiority, technical innovation, unparalleled quality and world-class customer service. For more about TUMI, visit www.tumi.com, www.facebook.com/tumitravel, www.twitter.com/tumitravel.

About Ketel One Vodka

With ten generations of Nolet family distilling passion and expertise, the success of the KETEL ONE® brand is built on one-to-one conversations with the bartending community. Launched in the United States in the early 1980s, Carolus Nolet Sr. was inspired by original recipes and techniques of his ancestors when he created the recipe for and distinctive personality of KETEL ONE vodka.

KETEL ONE vodka is a sophisticated and crisp, wheat-based, ultra-premium blend crafted from small batches, using copper pot stills together with modern distilling techniques. The 19th century coal-fired pot still, Pot Still Number 1, otherwise known as "Distilleerketel # 1", is one of the pot stills used in the production process and is the inspiration for the name of this Dutch vodka. Each final production of KETEL ONE vodka is approved by a member of the Nolet family prior to bottling. After extensive research, KETEL ONE CITROEN® flavored vodka was launched in 2000, created by infusing KETEL ONE vodka with citrus essential oil essence. Two different types of lemon from Sicily give the flavored vodka a lively, rich sweetness, whilst one variety from Spain gives a full, distinctive taste. Lemon from Guinea, West Africa results in a more intense character, whilst two varieties of lime from the Caribbean give KETEL ONE CITROEN flavored vodka an incredible note of freshness.

KETEL ONE ORANJE® flavored vodka was launched in 2010, created by infusing KETEL ONE vodka with orange essential oil essence. The vodka is infused with the all-natural essence of a select combination of Mandarin oranges from Italy and Valencia oranges from Florida and Brazil resulting in the flavor of KETEL ONE ORANJE flavored vodka.

In 2008, the Nolet Group created a 50/50 joint venture company with Diageo, KETEL ONE Worldwide B.V., to import, sell, market and distribute KETEL ONE vodka and KETEL ONE CITROEN flavored vodka and to maximize global growth potential for the KETEL ONE brand.

KETEL ONE, KETEL ONE CITROEN, KETEL ONE ORANJE and the associated logos are trademarks of Double Eagle Brands N.V. © Double Eagle Brands N.V. 2011

About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).

For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

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