The company's foundation was lead in 1795 when James Beam began selling barrels of whiskey. By 1935, it was formally the James B. Beam Distilling Company. Ten years later, the Chicago spirits merchant Harry Blum bought the company, and in 1968 sold it to American Brands, Inc. In 1987, the James B. Beam Distilling Company purchased National Distillers and renamed itself the Jim Beam Brands Company, On January 13, 2014, Suntory announced a deal to buy Beam Inc. The acquisition was completed on April 30, 2014, when it was also announced that Beam would become a subsidiary named "Beam Suntory"

Originally established in Paris, in the French suburb of Bercy in 1809, Emmanuel Courvoisier started a wine and spirit company with Louis Gallois, then the mayor of Bercy. Originally, Emmanuel and Louis would act as traders for the best cognacs of the region. Eventually the two decided that the only way they could guarantee the very finest cognac was relocate to the region and become producers themselves. The 200-year-old crafting process has not changed since Courvoisier’s establishment in Bercy

V.S. (Very Special) or ✯✯✯ (three stars) designates a blend in which the youngest brandy has been stored for at least two years in cask.
V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) or Reserve designates a blend in which the youngest brandy is stored for at least four years in a cask.
XO (Extra Old) or Napoléon currently designates a blend in which the youngest brandy is stored for at least ten years .