DIAGEO RAISES A GLASS TO SCOTCH ON WORLD WHISKY DAY

21st May, 2016, Bangalore: On the occasion of World Whisky Day, today USL-Diageo, India’s leading Scotch-Whisky company introduced to Bangalore its biggest global campaign ‘#LoveScotch’ during an evening of candid conversations around Scotch whisky with Canadian Super Model Coco Rocha, and actors Randeep Hooda, Mandira Bedi and Dino Morea, alongside Rajiv Mehta (CEO, Arvind Fashion Brands & Arvind Sports Lifestyle) at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangalore.

The evening marked a celebration of everything that gives Scotch whisky its unique character, flavour and personality, as these celebrities shared their personal moments about their favourite Scotches. Randeep and Dino got behind the bar and tried their hand at making cocktails with World Class Brand Ambassadors Jamie Walker and Nicholas Ord! In true Pub Crawl style, the entourage visited two of the coolest hangouts in the city – Sanchos & Skyye and curated some more delicious concoctions with renowned United Sprits bartenders Ajay Nayar and Hemant Mundkur for the pub goers of Bengaluru city.

Coco Rocha, Mandira Bedi and Rajiv Mehta joined them behind the bar for a spirited evening. Scotch continues to be the world’s favourite whisky, with 95 million cases sold across 256 countries. No other spirit can offer the same range of tastes, textures and flavours. Made the same way for over five hundred years in distilleries small and large, across the length and breadth of Scotland, Scotch is the pinnacle of quality - loved in every corner of the globe.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Diageo’s Chief Executive, Ivan Menezes says; “We live in exciting times for the Scotch whisky category. Whether it’s served as an Old Fashioned in South Africa or as a Manhattan in New York, the continuing success of Scotch is built on its quality, integrity, and authenticity and we are confident that Scotch will continue to be the world’s favourite whisky for many years to come.”

Around the world, consumers enjoy Scotch in many different ways. In Europe it’s served neat, while in South America it’s enjoyed with Coconut Water and in the Caribbean with tropical juices. In the United States it’s enjoyed with Cola or as part of a cocktail. In India, consumers have a strong appreciation for spices and exotic ingredients. Their evolved/zealous palates enjoy distinct flavours, hence Scotch infused cocktails are best enjoyed here with either spice-based concoctions or when paired with a zesty food menu to complement it.

Most of world’s best scotches are with Diageo including BLACK DOG, VAT 69, BLACK & WHITE, JOHNNIE WALKER™, HAIG CLUB™, BUCHANAN’S™, SINGLETON, LAGAVULIN™ AND TALISKER™ are crafted by a handful of highly skilled men and women who select only the very best whiskies from our 29 distilleries and millions of maturing casks.

So whether it’s in honour of the talented men and women who craft Scotch or the liquid itself, tip a glass and toast the world’s favourite whisky this World Whisky Day.

About #lovescotch

#LoveScotch is about empowering people to express their passion, embolden existing ambassadors and inspire those who are new to whisky, creating a movement across the globe for people to share how they enjoy their dram.

Coco Rocha (Canadian Supermodel and Actor)

Taking about her association with #LoveScotch, Coco Rocha, Global Brand Ambassador says “Celebrating World Whisky Day in India has been an absolute pleasure. I am a whisky lover myself who enjoys her Johnnie Walker Black Label and for me to get the opportunity to meet the Scotch enthusiasts of Bangalore was a great experience. We are officially introducing #LoveScotch to India and I’m sure this will create a movement that celebrates a global love affair with the world’s favourite whisky – Scotch.”

Coco Rocha at Sanchos Bengaluru

Coco whipped up singleton whiskey with basil and ginger ale...

Mandira Bedi- Designer, Actor and TV presenter

Designer, actor and TV presenter, Mandira Bedi mentioned, “Each of us have a prized possession and for me it’s my bottle of Singleton that adorns my home bar till today. I enjoy my Scotch especially when celebrating special moments with friends and family.”

Mandira Prepared a cocktail at Skye Bar with vat69, oranges and basil.

Dino Morea- Bollywood actor and former model

Dino Morea, Bollywood actor and former model, said, “I am delighted to be a part of this appreciative expression through #Lovescotch where we celebrate these iconic blends for their true potential and versatility. Though I have always been a fan of the Black & White whisky, I am always eager to experiment with exotic flavors, with Whisky Sour being an all-time favourite.

Dino Morea having a moment with Bartender Nicholas Ord at Shangrila-Bengalore.

Randeep Hooda-Actor

Commenting on this, Actor Randeep Hooda, said, “Celebrating World Whisky Day instantly takes me back to all the times that I spent with my dad, discussing my career over a glass of Black Dog. He always enjoys his Scotch on the rocks, while I have grown to enjoy it in different ways. And this is exactly why #LoveScotch resonated with me.”