NEW YORK, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Pampero (R), the unique rum from
 Venezuela whose name literally translates to mean 'intense storm', wins
 Best Rum at the recent San Francisco World Spirits Competition. At a
 gathering of 86 of the world's finest rums, Pampero Aniversario was awarded
 the overall category winner with a Double Gold medal with Pampero Especial
 also winning a Gold medal. World renowned as the most comprehensive
 competition of its kind, this year's San Francisco Spirits Competition was
 the largest event in its history with 701 spirits entered from 52
 countries.
     "We are very proud to have won this award, it is just recognition for
 the time and passion which goes in to making our rums so special," said
 Stephen White, Pampero Global Marketing Director.
     Pampero rums are distilled and matured near to the Equator and it is
 the volatile intensity of this climate that delivers the unique
 characteristics of this award winning rum.
     Luis Manuel Toro and Alejandro Hernandez founded the Pampero brand in
 1938 as part of their rum and wine business. Hernandez, the son of a
 fisherman on the paradise island of Margarita, traveled extensively and
 returned to Venezuela with innovative concepts that changed the course of
 the country's rum production. Hernandez would later become a leading figure
 in Venezuela eventually running for President.
     About Diageo
     Pampero is part of the Diageo global drinks business. Diageo, the
 world's leading spirits, wine and beer company is proud to announce it has
 received a total of 74 medals at the 7th Annual San Francisco World Spirits
 Competition which took place on Saturday 17 March. In total, Diageo
 received 15 Double Gold, 21 Gold, 23 Silver, and 15 Bronze medals.
     The panel of experts, consisting of 19 judges from the USA, also
 selected five Diageo brands as the top brand in each of the following
 categories in the competition:
     *  Tanqueray London Dry - Gin
     *  Tanqueray Sterling - Vodka
     *  Johnnie Walker Green Label - Blended Malt Scotch
     *  Johnnie Walker Anniversary Pack - Blended Scotch
     *  Pampero Aniversario - Rum
     Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business. With its global
 vision, and local marketing focus, Diageo brings to consumers an
 outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across the spirits, wine
 and beer categories including Smirnoff, Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys,
 J&B, Jose Cuervo, Captain Morgan and Tanqueray, and Beaulieu Vineyard and
 Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo trades in some 180 countries around the
 world and 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 www.diageo.com.
 
 

SOURCE Diageo North America