Diageo spirits and packaging won 91 awards at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, including 83 medals, 39 of which were double gold or gold.
Scotch and North American Whisk(e)y did very well, with 14 Diageo brands winning multiple medals; with several named “Best” in their category. Seven Diageo brands won medals for packaging, including Mortlach Scotch Whisky and Orphan Barrel Bourbon, which were both awarded double gold.
The Company was also named “Importer of the Year” in recognition of Diageo’s consistent high quality of spirits across all brands.
Whisk(e)y was the standout category for Diageo, with 57 medals. Johnnie Walker won twelve medals for liquid, up three from 2014. George Dickel, Bulleit, Jeremiah Weed, Oban and Orphan Barrel won three medals each, and Buchanan’s won four, including a Double Gold for Buchanan’s Master.
Seven Diageo Whisk(e)ys were named best liquid in their respective categories. George Dickel No. 12 was designated the “Best Tennessee Whiskey;” Blade & Bow 22 Year Old Bourbon won “Best Straight Bourbon;” and Crown Royal Single Barrel was named “Best Canadian Whisky.” In Scotch, Lagavulin 16 Year Old earned the title “Best Single Malt Scotch 13-19 years;” John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2015 Edition was awarded “Best Blended Scotch – No Age Statement;” Talisker 10 Year Old was named “Best Single Malt Scotch up to 12 Years,” and Talisker Storm was named “Best Single Malt Scotch – No Age Statement.”
Within Scotch, Diageo’s non-age declared whiskies won nine medals for brands including Oban Little Bay, Talisker Storm, Mortlach Rare Old, Buchanan’s Master, Buchanan’s Red Seal, Haig Club and Johnnie Walker Double Black, Gold Label Reserve and Blue Label.
In the Gin category, Tanqueray received two medals including a Double Gold for Tanqueray London Dry Gin.
In the Tequila category, DeLeon received two medals for the brand’s Reposado and Platinum. In Rum, new Captain Morgan White Grapefruit and Captain Morgan White Pineapple each earned medals.
In Liqueurs, Grind won a medal and Baileys won medals for new flavors Chocolate Cherry and Salted Caramel.
Overall, liquids from Diageo’s Innovation team won 19 medals.
