Diageo Brands Awarded Top Honors for Exceptional Quality and Craftsmanship at 18th Annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition

NORWALK, Conn., May 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo brands were recognized for their quality and excellence at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This year, Diageo brands won a total of 72 medals, including 26 Double Gold or Gold medals. Scotch and North American Whisk(e)y brands performed particularly well, winning 42 of the 72 total medals. Diageo brands were also awarded three Best in Class distinctions, with Bulleit Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon winning "Best Straight Bourbon"; Crown Royal 13-Year-Old Blenders' Mash winning "Best Canadian Whisky"; and Talisker 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch winning "Best Distillers' Single Malt Scotch – Up to 12 Years".

"We are honored that so many of the liquids across our portfolio continue to be recognized, and have placed so highly at one of the industry's most established competitions," said Deirdre Mahlan, President, Diageo North America. "We believe this is a true testament to the quality and craftsmanship of our brands, and congratulate everyone involved with making and bringing to market these world-class products."

Several medals were awarded to Scotch, Tennessee, Bourbon and Rye Whisk(e)ys. Johnnie Walker took home a total of five medals, including a Double Gold medal for Johnnie Walker Red Label. Crown Royal earned 13 medals in total, including two Double Gold medals for Crown Royal 13-Year-Old Blenders' Mash and Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel Canadian Whisky.

In the Tequila, Rum and Vodka categories, Diageo brands also performed well, winning 19 medals. Smirnoff Peppermint Twist and Naked Turtle White Rum both secured Gold medals.

A full breakdown of Diageo's winning brands from the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition can be found on the competition website [https://sfspiritscomp.com/results/], and all Diageo brands' Best in Class, Double Gold and Gold medal winners are listed below.

Best in Class:

• Bulleit Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Crown Royal 13-Year-Old Blenders' Mash Whisky
• Talisker 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch

Double Gold:

• Buchanan's Master Blended Scotch
• Buchanan's Red Seal Blended Scotch
• Bulleit Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Cacique Leyenda Rum
• Crown Royal 13-Year-Old Blenders' Mash Whisky
• Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel Canadian Whisky
• Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Scotch
• Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
• Lagavulin 8 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
• Talisker 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
• Talisker Storm Single Malt Scotch
• Ypióca Cinco Chaves Cachaça

Gold:

• Buchanan's 15 Year Old Select Blended Scotch
• Buchanan's Special Reserve 18 Year Old Blended Scotch
• Bulleit 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Bulleit Rye Whiskey
• Cacique Añejo Rum
• Cacique 500 Rum
• George Dickel Tabasco Barrel Finished Tennessee Whisky
• I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• The Naked Turtle White Rum
• Oban 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
• Smirnoff Peppermint Twist
• The Singleton of Glendullan 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
• The Singleton of Glendullan 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch
• Ypióca 150 Anos Cachaça

Founded in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition is one of America's most respected international spirits events. Products are evaluated in a blind, consensual procedure ensuring the competition maintains its reputation for the highest level of integrity. Winning participants receive the awards of Double Gold, Gold, Silver or Bronze, marking their product as one of the highest quality in the world. www.sfspiritscomp.com  

About Diageo
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.  
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Kristen Crofoot, Diageo
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SOURCE Diageo North America

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