Diageo Reserve Announces World Class Bartender of the Year 2010: Erik Lorincz From Connaught Bar, London

ATHENS, July 16, 2010 - Tonight the title of DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year
2010 was presented to Erik Lorincz from Connaught Bar at The Connaught,
London. After a year long global challenge which saw 9000 bartenders from
around the globe shake, stir and pour their way through national heats, just
24 of the most talented and inspirational bartenders remained to go head to
head over four days of WORLD CLASS challenges this week. Erik claimed the
overall title after impressing the most recognised names in the business -
Dale DeGroff, Salvatore Calabrese, Peter Dorelli, Gary Regan, Alberto Soria
and Hidetsugu Ueno.

Congratulating the winner of the second global DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS
competition, Rudy Paoli, Managing Director, Diageo Reserve said: "WORLD CLASS
is a truly international celebration of the flair, creativity and skill of
the bartender and the appreciation of great spirit brands. Erik represents
all of this and we would like to congratulate him on this fantastic
achievement."

WORLD CLASS judge Dale DeGroff commented, "What's most impressive about
DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS is how every aspect of the craft of bartending is
tested by the challenges and judges. You need to be creative, thorough and
skilled - it's daunting. Each year I learn different skills from everyone I
meet at World Class including the contestants. These 21st century bartenders
are the pioneers of a new golden age of the craft."

WORLD CLASS 2010 Bartender of the Year, Erik said "This is a dream to win
such a prestigious award, to be judged by some of my heroes such as Salvatore
Calabrese and Dale DeGroff has really inspired me. I'm really excited about
the year ahead."

WORLD CLASS was established by Diageo Reserve, the luxury division of
DIAGEO plc, to educate and inspire talented bartenders to create exceptional
cocktails, service and experiences, which are then brought to life in some of
the best bars around the world.

Using the premium liquids of the Reserve Brands portfolio - Ketel One(R)
vodka, Cîroc(R) vodka, Tanqueray(R) No.TEN(TM) gin, Don Julio(R) tequila,
Zacapa(R) rum and Johnnie Walker(R) Gold Label(TM) and Blue Label(TM) Blended
Scotch Whisky - the finalists showcased their skills in six classically
themed challenges, from 'Architecture' which tested the bartenders ingenuity
and ability to adapt fresh ingredients from a local market to create a
cocktail out of their chosen produce to 'History' which examined the
bartenders' knowledge of mixology and pursuit of perfection.

www.weareworldclass.com

NOTE TO EDITORS

THE DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS 2010 FINAL CHALLENGE WINNERS

WORLD CLASS 'Gastronomy' Challenge - Canapé Matching

Winner: Jordi Otero, Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, Spain

Ability to balance flavours and textures, finalists chose from
six different canapés and created cocktails to complement their two chosen
dishes.

WORLD CLASS 'Architecture' Challenge - Market Challenge

Winner: Do-Hwan Eom, The Ritz Bar, The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul, Korea

A test of skill in identifying and using fresh market produce
to create interesting cocktail combinations, the bartenders had 40 minutes
and EUR40 to shop and any Reserve spirits to create two contrasting
cocktails.

WORLD CLASS 'Theatre' Challenge - Ritual & Cocktail Theatre

Winner: Maxime Hoerth, Four Seasons Hotel, George V, Paris, France

Using their imagination and sense of theatre, finalists were
asked to present one signature cocktail and then a signature bottle serve
using either Johnnie Walker(R) Blue Label (TM) or Zacapa(R) 23 rum,
interpreting and showcasing the qualities of the chosen spirit.

WORLD CLASS 'Art' Challenge - Speed & Taste

Winner: Heinz Kaiser, DINO's American Bar, Vienna, Austria

Employing their speed and skill, finalists created a round of
six well-known cocktails in the fastest time possible without sacrificing
taste. They were required to use the full array of mixology methods,
including building, muddling and stirring.

WORLD CLASS 'History' Challenge - Classic Cocktails

Winner: Timo Janse, Door 74, Amsterdam, Netherlands

A thorough examination of the bartenders' knowledge of mixology and
pursuit of perfection, each of the competitors were tasked to make three
cocktails from a list of 15 signature, classic cocktails.

WORLD CLASS 'Philosophy' Challenge - Cocktail Mastery

Winner: Torsten Spuhn, Modern Master Bar and Lounge, Erfut, Germany

This challenge tested knowledge of spirits and cocktails, with
the bartenders quizzed on a Reserve brand and category studied in advance
(eg. Tanqueray(R) No. TEN(TM) and gin) and asked to make two cocktails with
the chosen spirits.

ABOUT DIAGEO

DIAGEO is the world's leading premium drinks business with an
outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and
beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff,
J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu
Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

DIAGEO is a global company, trading 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.

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