Established in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has been one of the preeminent events in the total beverage alcohol industry. Through rigorous, and anonymous, blind taste testing, the competition has developed a reputation for recognizing the best in the industry, regardless of brand-name hype or global PR and marketing campaigns. Perhaps of equal importance, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has gained the attention and respect of consumers, who see medals from the SF competition as a badge of honor, and one more selling point for the brands who hold them. In short, consumers know that in San Francisco, quality wins out, and this year, 72 of those wins went to our partners at Diageo.
Seventy-two medals sounds impressive, but it gets better. Of those 72 medals, 26 were either Double Gold or Gold, the two top medals awarded by the competition. In addition, Diageo brands took home three Best in Class honors, with awards going to Bulleit Barrel Strength winning for “Best Straight Bourbon,” Crown Royal 13-Year-Old Blenders’ Mash taking the “Best Canadian Whisky” category, and Talisker 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch coming out on top of the “Best Distillers’ Single Malt Scotch - Up to 12 Years” category.
Diageo North America’s President, Deirdre Mahlan, extolled the power of Diageo’s brands, saying in a statement, "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," adding "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."
Aside from the big Best in Class honors mentioned above, Diageo’s brown spirits had strong showings in several other categories, such as Scotch, Tennessee Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys. Some of the big winners included:
● Johnnie Walker, with five medals, including Double Gold for Johnnie Walker Red Label
● Crown Royal, with 13 medals, including two Double Gold medals
● Crown Royal 13-Year-Old Blenders' Mash
● Crown Royal Hand Selected Barrel Canadian Whisky
The company’s Tequila, Rum and Vodka brands also did quite well, winning 19 medals altogether. Gold Medals went to Smirnoff Peppermint Twist and Naked Turtle White Rum.
Talk to your Breakthru Sales Consultant to find out more about these winners and how they can be a win for your business. Read a full list of Diageo’s Gold and Double Gold winners below, and be sure to add them to your next order.
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