Charles Joly from USA Serves Up a Week of Magnificent Mixes to be Named the World's Best Bartender

London (ots/PRNewswire) -

CHARLES JOLY BEATS 47 PEERS TO BE CROWNED THE DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD
CLASS(TM)

BARTENDER OF THE YEAR 2014

After a week of fierce competition, incredible craftsmanship,
unrivalled creativity and exceptional cocktails, Charles Joly from
The Aviary in Chicago, USA, beat 47 of the best mixologists from
around the globe to be crowned the DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS(TM)
Bartender of the Year 2014.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140801/700392-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140801/700392-b )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140801/700392-c )

Charles mesmerised the judges from the very first cocktail but it
was his unique and show-stopping signature serve that will help
cement his name in cocktail history. His signature cocktail Above the
Clouds, crafted for the final Punch and Glass challenge, blew the
judges away. Throughout the week Charles consistently proved his
winning credentials to the esteemed panel of judges that included
legends and luminaries of the cocktail scene such as Dale DeGroff,
Salvatore Calabrese, Julie Reiner, Steve Olsen and Gaz Regan.

"Wow, I just feel totally overawed by this. I know it sounds like
a cliche but to be announced as the DIAGEO RESERVE WORLD CLASS(TM)
BARTENDER OF THE YEAR 2014 is like a dream. The other finalists
really are the best bartenders in the world today so for the judges
to pick me as the winner is incredible" said Charles Joly.

"This journey didn't start today at the ceremony, it started many
years ago when I first started working in a local bar. I make drinks
with my heart and it makes me happy to see customers happy. The
possibilities open to a bartender are limitless, not just in terms of
your career but your creations - the only limit is your imagination."

Matteo Fantacchiotti, Global Vice President Commercial, DIAGEO
RESERVE, said: "Right from the beginning Charles Joly's passion,
creativity and unrivalled mixology skills captivated the judges. His
desire to create unique serves that combined sophisticated tastes
with innovative modern twists never faltered at any stage of the
competition. It's a real honor to have Charles as our 2014 Diageo
Reserve WORLD CLASS(TM) ambassador."

Charles Joly will now become a global ambassador for Diageo
Reserve WORLD CLASS(TM), a role which will see him travel the world,
educating and inspiring new talent whilst developing his own skills
and knowledge through the different tastes and techniques they
experiences along the way.

The 2014 WORLD CLASS(TM) Finals consisted of a series of
innovative challenges staged around Great Britain, starting in
Gleneagles, Scotland, before travelling via the iconic Orient Express
to London. Discovery was at the heart of the competition, a theme
brought to life by the series of innovative challenges that immersed
the 48 finalists in Great British culture and inspired them to create
premium serves, using the world's finest spirits.

This year, for the first time ever, consumers were also invited to
participate in the WORLD CLASS(TM) Global Final and discover a world
of fine drinking culture at the WORLD CLASS(TM) House where
masterclasses run by world-renowned bartenders, unique cocktails and
food tasting sessions that made the WORLD CLASS(TM) House the
spiritual home of fine drinking experiences this summer.

You can find out more about WORLD CLASS(TM) and discover a world
of fine

drinking by: visiting Definitivedrinkingguide.com on tumblr,
liking

http://www.facebook.com/worldclass or tweeting @worldclass using
#WORLDCLASS14

For images, B-roll footage and information about the WORLD
CLASS(TM), Diageo, its people, brands and performance, visit
http://www.diageo.com or contact:

Johanna Dalley
World Class Director, Diageo Reserve
Johanna.Dalley@diageo.com
+31(0)6-1020-7234

Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140801/700392-a

http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140801/700392-b

http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140801/700392-c

ots Originaltext: Diageo WORLD CLASS (TM)
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