Many drinkers and especially writers seem to regard them as such so I thought I 'd get the opinion of the forum. Is Diageo evil? At least from the Bourbon drinker's perspective.
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Many drinkers and especially writers seem to regard them as such so I thought I 'd get the opinion of the forum. Is Diageo evil? At least from the Bourbon drinker's perspective.
I would make the argument that Diageo is not evil. Their corporate responsibility platform is respectable. They educate their consumers on the effects of alcohol and responsible alcohol consumption.
I thought polls were disabled...?!?
Sorry, if I breached protocol I'll delete the thread. Just thought it was a fun, irreverent topic. Hope I don't get phone calls from lawyers in the morning!Quote:
Originally Posted by barturtle
That isn't what this is about; I would guess that it's more about their corporate predecessor (United Distillers) and various actions that they took that wound up needlessly shuttering a much-beloved distillery, ie Stitzel-Weller.Quote:
Originally Posted by theBOURBONreview
I believe the negative image of Diageo has been mostly formed in their Scotch portfolio.Quote:
Originally Posted by shoshani
If I'm not mistaken it was Diageo that closed Rosebank, which I would say is the Lowland Scotch equivalent of SW, more or less. In my minimal Scotch experiences, I can't say I ever tasted a Rosebank that I didn't think was delightful, and I can't say I've tasted a different Lowlander that I thought was.
Roger
Yeah, that was the thrust of my question. It wasn't about their responsible drinking program or their healthcare plan or anything like that (although if ppl want to use those things to support their answer that's fine). It's a question as to whether they have shown themselves to be evil by their actions, such as closing distilleries, treatment of their brands, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rughi
Scotch Distilleries destroyed by Diageo:Quote:
Originally Posted by Rughi
Banff
Glen Albyn
Glenesk
Glenlochy
Glenury Royal
Glen Mhor
Millburn
North Port
Pittyvaich
St. Magdalene
Mothballed:
Mannochmore
Closed:
Brora
Coleburn
Port Ellen
Rosebank
They've also attempted several times to close St. James Gate Brewery (the home of Guinness), but luckily have caved to public pressure to keep it open...so far.
To follow the history of Diageo in the USA you gotta got back and start with Schenley.
By 1933 when Schenley Distillers Corp. was founded it consisted of the following companies: (thanks to Mike Veach)
Schenley Products Co., Inc.
Schenley Wine & Spirit Import Corporation
Jos. S. Finch Co.
Geo. T Stagg Co.
Jas. E Pepper & Co.
John T Barbee Co.
A B Blanton Small Tub Distilling Co.
Cove Spring Distilling Co.
Greenbrier Distilling Co.
Melvale Distilling Co.
Sam Thompson Gibson Distilleries Co.
Old Quaker Co.
Napa Valley Wine and Brandy Co.
Eastern Distillers Syndicate
Monticello Distillery Co.
Over the next few years they add:
New England Distilling Co.
Bernheim Distilling Co.
American Eagle Distillery
Oldtyme Distilling Corp. (two distilleries)
John A Wathen Distillery Co.
Buffalo Springs Distillery
Bardstown, Ky Distillery
Pebbleford Distillery
Limestone Springs Distillery
JW Dant
Park and Tillford
(plus several wine/beer/other companies)
Then they merged with UDV (1987) which brought with them Stitzel Weller.
How many of those are still in operation? And how many by Diageo?
Port Ellen gets that SW stigma as well.
It is disturbing when you list them all out what Diageo has done to some fine distilleries.
The illegal acquisition of Distiller's Company Limited (DCL) by Guinness in 1986 still hangs over Diageo's head, in my opinion. As for Stitzel, in 1984 DCL acquired Somerset Importers, which owned Stitzel, so Stitzel became part of Guinness in 1986 as part of that same illegal deal.
But if anyone "ruined" Stitzel-Weller it was probably the dissident shareholders who forced it out of the family in 1972.