James Bond's 007 Special Blend

During the 1960s spy boom, many products including clothing and accessories, were branded with James Bond or 007. One of the more fascinating items is the James Bond's 007 Special Blend. This blend of malt liquor and beer was produced in 1968 by the National Brewing Company of Baltimore, Maryland. National, which also owned plants in Detroit, Miami, and Phoenix, is better known for Colt 45 malt liquor and National Bohemian beer.

The James Bond's 007 Special Blend cans featured attractive women posing in front of famous London backdrops. The brand was pulled when National Brewing learned that it might have been a good idea to check with the estate of Ian Fleming about using its trademarks for a commercial product. The cans are highly valued by collectors, and currently can fetch more than $500.

Bond and beer is not a strange connection in itself. He has enjoyed a beer on several occasions, in the Ian Fleming novels particularly. Beer brands enjoyed by Bond include Löwenbräu, Miller High Life and Red Stripe.