Diageo Reserve appoints first 'cocktailian' role
Diageo Reserve, the luxury portfolio of Diageo, has appointed Canadian mixologist Lauren Mote as its global cocktailian – the first of its type in the industry – to build a relationship between the Reserve business and the wider luxury industry.
Mote won the 2015 World Class Bartender of the Year national final in Canada, and describes herself as a mixologist, sommelier, writer, spirit and cocktail judge, international spirits diplomat and is the co-owner of Bittered Sling Bitters, an international portfolio of cocktail bitters.
Speaking of her new role, Mote said: "I’m hugely passionate about the role this program plays in heroing the craft of bartending and great drinks - so I’m really looking forward to taking a greater advocacy role.”
Diageo Reserve‘s portfolio includes Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Cîroc, Don Julio, Bulleit, Tanqueray No. Ten, Ketel One, Zacapa and a collection of Single Malts.
Cristina Diezhandino, managing director Diageo Reserve, said the role of global cocktailian was a significant appointment for the business and a step forwards placing Reserve brands into culture and lifestyle.
Diezhandino said: "Diageo Reserve was founded on breaking new ground and is globally recognised as a benchmark in the luxury industry.
“Therefore we need to be at the forefront of trends - transcending the drinks category to draw learnings from other categories in order to deliver our vision of making luxury experiences available, accessible and aspirational to everyone.
“We are very excited to appoint Lauren - a hugely respected contributor to the global drinks industry with an exceptional mix of passion, skills and experience – as a storyteller and trendsetter who will help us bring these deeper connections to life.”