Awards 101 with Diageo at San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Jun. 27, 2019

Consumers across the country recognize the quality of Diageo’s products, and the judges at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition are no different. At the 19th annual SFWSC, Diageo’s liquids and packaging took home top honors, racking up an incredible total of 101 medals, including two Best in Class distinctions, and 38 Double Gold or prestigious Double Gold awards. Consumers looking for direction on top-quality brands to sample or add to their home collection need look no further than the litany of liquid gold on display from Diageo this year.

The Year of the Scotch

Diageo’s Scotch portfolio is well known for its quality and depth, covering the entire spectrum of Scotch types and origins, and this year that portfolio cleaned up, winning 43 of the company’s total 101 medals. Johnnie Walker 18-Year-Old was singled out for praise, taking home the coveted “Best Blended Scotch” distinction, while Lagavulin 9-Year-Old earned “Best Distillers’ Malt Scotch, Up to 12 Years.”

Talisker 10-Year-Old also received praise in the form of a Double Gold medal and a Platinum medal, which is only awarded to spirits that have won a Double Gold medal in three consecutive competitions. Diageo also took home a Double Gold for the package design for the Game of Thrones Single Malt collection.

Toasting Spirits

Aside from Scotch, Diageo also made a big splash with the rest of the company’s portfolio. Diageo’s American Whiskey portfolio had big wins, with medals going to Bulleit, George Dickel, and Orphan Barrel. Each brand won Gold or higher medals. In addition, Diageo’s presence was felt in the tequila, rum, vodka and gin categories, where the company won 32 medals. In vodka, Gold Medals went to Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka and Smirnoff Zero Sugar Infusion Watermelon Mint. In the rum category, the company earned gold Medals for Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23 Rum and Zacapa Ambar 12 Rum.

Deirdre Mahlan, President Diageo North America, was thankful and proud of the victories, saying in a statement, “We are honored that so many incredible spirits brands across our portfolio have been recognized at this level by one of the industry's most established competitions,” and “the exceptional craftsmanship and quality that goes into every one of these brands is something we value every day, and this gives us all one more reason to celebrate.”

Congratulations to our friends at Diageo for all their amazing work this year, and in the years leading up to this year’s competition. We are proud to bring these award-winning liquids, and the rest of the full Diageo portfolio, to your business. Call your Breakthru Sales Consultant to add any of these to your next order.