NORWALK, Conn., Jan. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, the
world's leading spirits, beer and wine company, has been named
Whisky Advocate's Distiller of the Year. Whisky
Advocate, one of America's foremost publications on whisky,
cited Diageo's distillery investment in Scotland, distillery sustainability
initiatives, and significant innovation occurring across its whisky
portfolio as evidence of the company's contributions to the global
whisky landscape.
"This honor reinforces Diageo's position as the leader in the
craft of whisky distilling," said Larry
Schwartz, President, Diageo North America. "Within our
collection of more than 100 Scotch, Irish, Canadian and American
whiskies, we have some of the world's largest and fastest-growing
brands. Our whisky portfolio, and the craftsmanship that goes into
creating it, is unrivalled."
Illuminating on their selection, Whisky Advocate wrote,
"Substantial investment, a world-beating vision for future growth,
and harnessing their guardianship of brand history to reach out to
consumers have helped our Distiller of the Year deliver an
incredible portfolio of whiskies to suit all pockets and
preferences."
Specifically, the publication referenced the enduring prominence
of Johnnie Walker as the "world's
biggest Scotch whisky brand"; "phenomenal liquids" from Diageo
Special Releases 2013; new expressions from Talisker; and
innovations in North American Whisky, such as Crown Royal Maple,
Bulleit Bourbon 10 year old, Orphan Barrel and Blade &
Bow.
Whisky Advocate also recognized Diageo's Talisker Storm
as the Highlands/Islands Single Malt Scotch Whisky of the Year.
Talisker Storm debuted in the fall as the brand's first major
non-age declared Scotch whisky innovation released in the United States. Because the liquid does not
carry an age statement, the Master Blender has greater flexibility
to blend a fuller range of Talisker whiskies together in one
vibrant dram, creating a truly unique, award-winning malt.
The Whisky Advocate Awards program, now in its
20th year, is the longest-running and oldest annual
whisky award program. According to the publication, the
awards are a "recognition of a combination of excellence,
innovation, tradition, and … simply great-tasting whisky."
Diageo will be featured, along with fellow award winners, in the
magazine's Spring 2014 issue.
About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks
business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands
across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B,
Windsor, Buchanan's and Bushmills
whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain
Morgan, Tanqueray, Guinness, Beaulieu
Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards Wines.
Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than
180 countries around the world. The company 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 Diageo.com. For our global resource that
promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice
tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
SOURCE Diageo