Beam Inc. had a stronger first quarter (3 months ending March 31) than expected, benefitting from "strong demand" and "excellent initial sell-in for new product launches that are front-loaded in 2012," said chief Matt Shattock. Sales grew low double-digits in the US led by Beam's power brands (Maker's Mark and Jim Beam) and rising stars (Pucker Vodka and Skinnygirl). Also, new innovations "helped boost our sales in our seasonably smaller quarter," he continued.