DIAGEO RESERVE ANNOUNCES WORLD CLASS BARTENDER OF THE YEAR 2011: MANABU OHTAKE, TOWERS BAR BELLOVISTO, JAPAN

NEW DELHI, 14 July 2011: Tonight MANABU OHTAKE, from Towers Bar Bellovisto, Japan was crowned DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year 2011, beating 33 other finalists in the highest accolade of the liquid world. From 10,000 to one, over the past eleven months, contenders from the most established and prestigious bars around the globe have been competing in regional heats, each wanting to win a coveted place at the Global Final in New Delhi. Just 34 were selected to go head to head in front of some of the most revered names in the industry - Dale DeGroff, Salvatore Calabrese, Peter Dorelli, Gary Regan, Hidetsugu Ueno and Daniel Estremadoyro. Congratulating the winner of the third global DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year 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. Manabu represents the very pinnacle of bartending excellence, and has refined his craft through the WORLD CLASS programme. DIAGEO RESERVE is proud to nurture the talent of such visionaries who are creating the most exceptional rituals, perfect serves and fine drinking experiences the industry has seen. WORLD CLASS judge Dale DeGroff commented: DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS tests every aspect of the bartending profession. To succeed, you need creativity, precision, theatre and an innate ability to connect with the customer. Each year I am inspired by my fellow gurus and the contestants, who together, push the boundaries of cocktail innovation to the next level creating new global trends which transcend to the best bars around the world. These 21st century bartenders are the pioneers of a new golden age of the craft. DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS Bartender of the Year 2011, Manabu Ohtake said: It is an honour to win the most prestigious award in the industry and be judged by icons such as Salvatore Calabrese , Dale DeGroff and Hidetsugu Ueno. I am really excited about the year ahead, publishing my first cocktail book and travelling the world with DIAGEO RESERVE to inspire and attract new talent to the profession. Using the luxury spirits from the DIAGEO RESERVE portfolio Ketel One vodka, Croc vodka, Tanqueray No.TEN gin, Don Julio tequila, Zacapa rum and Johnnie Walker Gold Label and Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky bartenders participated in the WORLD CLASS challenges which tested their ingenuity, skill and knowledge of spirits in the pursuit of liquid perfection. Reflective of insights into current fine drinking trends, the challenges required bartenders to explore themes including Asian inspired food matching, classic and vintage drinks with a twist, female inspired cocktails and gentlemans drinks. See the latest from the competition on Facebook at the Global World Class Finals page www.facebook.com/GlobalWorldClassFinals
Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2011 14 July 2011

-ENDSNOTES TO EDITORS THE DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS BARTENDER OF THE YEAR 2011, FINAL REGIONAL WINNERS: LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN, DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS BARTENDER OF THE YEAR 2011: JESUS CABRERA, MEXICO ASIA PACIFIC DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS BARTENDER OF THE YEAR 2011: MANABU OHTAKE, THE TOWERS BAR BELLOVISTO, JAPAN EUROPEAN DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS BARTENDER OF THE YEAR 2011: HEINZ KAISER, DINOS AMERICAN BAR, VIENNA, AUSTRIA THE DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS 2011 FINAL CHALLENGE WINNERS SPICE MARKET CHALLENGE WINNER: MICKEY LEE, WOO BAR, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA Judged by: Salvatore Calabrese A test of ingenuity and ability to adapt. Bartenders have one hour to pick fresh exotic ingredients from Asian and international delicatessens and markets to create two contrasting drinks to show off their creativity and inventiveness ASIAN FOOD PAIRING WINNER: THORSTEN SPUHN, MODERN MASTERS BAR, ERFURT, GERMANY Judged by: Daniel Estremadoyro This food-pairing challenge features amazing cuisine from across Asia. Each bartender will choose two different dishes from a selection of wildly contrasting flavours and then create matching drinks COCKTAILS AGAINST THE CLOCK WINNER: HEINZ KAISER, DINOS AMERICAN BAR, VIENNA, AUSTRIA Judged by: Dale DeGroff Employing their speed and skill, finalists will create a round of their favourite RESERVE cocktails within five minutes. They will be required to use the full array of mixology methods: building, muddling, stirring. The drinks will be sampled to ensure correct balance of flavours CLASSIC AND VINTAGE DRINKS WITH A TWIST WINNER: HEMANT PATHAK, BLUE BAR, DELHI, INDIA Judged by: Hidetsugu Ueno We ask the bartenders to make three drinks that reflect the foundations of cocktail creativity. Two of the cocktails are called on the spot by the judges, there is one classic and one lesser known vintage. The final cocktail is a twist on a classic that is created and prepared according to the bartenders choice COCKTAIL THEATRE AND THE STARS WINNER: ALBERTO PIZARRO, BOBBY GIN, BARCELONA, SPAIN Judged by: Peter Dorrelli How can a bartender bring some magic to the perfect serve? The bartender has to create one signature bottle table serve that inspires and entertains their guests and then a signature cocktail inspired by a legendary female star of the stage or film. The spirits of choice are Zacapa rum and Johnnie Walker Blue Label Blended Scotch Whisky GENTLEMEN'S DRINKS AND FANCY TIPPLES WINNER: MARK HUANG, MARQUEE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE, TAIPEI, TAIWAN Judged by: Gary Regan A thorough examination of the bartenders knowledge of spirits, mixology and pursuit of perfection, each of the competitors will demonstrate their command of one spirit category: a Gentleman's drink in a Classical style and something extravagantly different
Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2011 14 July 2011

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. For information about Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit www.diageo.com or contact: Joanna Good Neville McCarthy Associates +44 (0) 207 940 2900 joanna@nevillemccarthy.com Photography is available at: http://diffordsguide.thirdlight.com/libraryhome.tlx

Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2011 14 July 2011