Diageo World Class 2016 final set for Miami

Diageo Reserve has revealed plans to hold the global final of its 2016 World Class cocktail competition in Miami, the US.

Diageo Reserve World Class will head to Miami for its global final next year

After hosting the final of its 2015 competition in Cape Town, South Africa, last month, Diageo Reserve World Class announced it will head to Miami for the last leg of its 2016 competition next year.

“Since its launch in 2009, World Class has been instrumental in transforming fine drinking and cocktail culture around the world,” said Matteo Fantacchiotti, global commercial vice president of Diageo Reserve.

“The global finals have travelled to different hotspots cities in the world and now lands in the United States. The location cannot be better.

“Miami represents today a hotspot and iconic place for luxury experiences, creativity, gastronomy, impeccable hospitality and diversity of cultures that totally fits with the internationality of World Class.”

The first World Class global final was held in London in 2009, and was later hosted in cities around the world, including New Delhi, Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town.

“With growing interest and participation in the US program each year, we have been highly anticipating this moment and feel that the timing is perfect especially due to the growth and success of several of our reserve brands in the portfolio such as Bulleit Bourbon, Tanqueray No. Ten and Tequila Don Julio,” said James Thompson, chief marketing and innovation officer at Diageo North America.

“Bartenders in the US are continuing to drive global trends and push new boundaries and we are thrilled to serve as a host country. We are looking forward to welcoming the global cocktail community to Miami in September and know it will be a groundbreaking week of competition.”

Last month, Japanese bartender Michito Kaneko has crowned Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year 2016 at a close final in Cape Town.