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® vodka, Cîroc® vodka, Tanqueray® No.TEN™ gin, Don Julio® tequila, Zacapa® rum and Johnnie Walker® Gold Label™ and Blue Label™ 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, SpainAbility 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, KoreaA test of skill in identifying and using fresh market produce to create interesting cocktail combinations, the bartenders had 40 minutes and €40 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, FranceUsing their imagination and sense of theatre, finalists were asked to present one signature cocktail and then a signature bottle serve using either Johnnie Walker® Blue Label ™ or Zacapa® 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, AustriaEmploying 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, NetherlandsA 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, GermanyThis challenge tested knowledge of spirits and cocktails, with the bartenders quizzed on a Reserve brand and category studied in advance (eg. Tanqueray® No. TEN™ 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.

To download high resolution images, please go to: http://diffordsguide.thirdlight.com/libraryhome.tlx- Select 'World Class 2010' folder- Password D1ageo# (please note this is case sensitive)

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6362229&lang=en