The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences Bestows Five-Star Diamond Award to Jean-Marc XO Vodka for 'Best in Spirits Category'

The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS) proudly bestows the prestigious Five-Star Diamond Award upon Jean-Marc XO Vodka. Jean-Marc XO Vodka is the first vodka ever to receive this rare distinction, reserved for the greatest achievements in hospitality products and services. The Five-Star Diamond Award Committee recognized in Jean-Marc XO Vodka exceptional quality and character commensurate with the world's finest hotels, resorts, restaurants & chefs which have been previously honored with the Five-Star Diamond Award.

Jean-Marc XO Vodka's hand-crafted, artisanal characteristics were essential to the Five-Star Diamond Committee in awarding its highest accolade.

"We're proud to recognize Jean-Marc XO Vodka among our distinguished International Star Diamond Award recipients that deliver the ultimate five-star quality, service and hospitality worldwide," said Joseph D. Cinque, President and CEO of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.

"We are truly humbled and privileged to be presented this great honor from such a prestigious organization as the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences," said Jean-Marc Daucourt, creator of Jean-Marc XO Vodka. "It is truly remarkable that our hand crafted vodka, produced in very small quantities, is the first vodka ever to receive this unique distinction," said Daucourt.

Jean-Marc XO Vodka offers connoisseurs a floral nose, complex taste, silky texture and very long finish. Jean-Marc XO Vodka is made from four varietals of the finest French wheat, which are distilled nine times by hand in traditional French copper Alambic Cognac stills. Taking several weeks to produce, Jean-Marc XO Vodka uses a combination of centuries-old and new cutting-edge techniques, along with the finest natural ingredients, to create a unique and captivating vodka experience.

Earlier this year Jean-Marc XO Vodka received of a 96 rating by the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI), the highest score ever awarded by BTI in the vodka category, and was named BTI's Vodka of the Year.

The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences was founded in Chicago in 1949 as the International Restaurant Ratings Bureau. The AAHS is now headquartered in New York City and governed by a Board of Trustees who oversees the stringent nomination and selection processes of the Five-Star Diamond Award. The Board is comprised of numerous hospitality industry leaders and celebrated chefs, who are themselves world travelers.

Jean-Marc XO Vodka is currently available in select markets in the United States, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington DC, and will be distributed nationwide by the end of 2005. The product's retail price is $49.99 for a 750-ml bottle. Jean-Marc XO vodka is imported and marketed by Daucourt Martin Imports, which specializes in cutting-edge, ultra premium French imported spirits. Please visit www.Jean-MarcXO.com for more information.