- Our Business /
Our history
Our history
Diageo was founded in 1997, but our brands date back far earlier – some as far back as the 17th century.
While we honour the past, we are passionate about nurturing categories old and new, and building authentically crafted, culturally relevant brands.
To develop and grow a brand requires creativity, belief and determination.
1627 - 1864
Making history since the 17th century
/diageo-corporate-media/media/ywndnjfs/1627-the-story-begins.jpg)
1627
The story begins
The first record of the Haig family — the oldest family of Scotch whisky distillers.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/jqvjcpxb/1759-close-up-of-a-painting-of-arthur-guinness.jpg)
1759
Arthur Guinness’ 9,000-year lease
Arthur Guinness signs a 9,000-year lease on a disused property at St. James’s Gate, Dublin, and starts to brew ale.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/4cegaa5s/1820-close-up-of-a-painting-of-john-walker.jpg)
1820
John Walker’s genius for Whisky
John Walker opens a grocery business in Kilmarnock, Scotland, and starts blending whiskies — with great success.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/fx2dgmhx/1830-close-up-of-a-painting-of-charles-tanqueray.jpg)
1830
Charles Tanqueray opens for business
Charles Tanqueray begins distilling in the Bloomsbury district of London.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/snrgzdvt/1864-close-up-of-a-painting-of-pyotr-smirnoff.jpg)
1864
Pyotr Smirnoff’s pioneering process
Pyotr Smirnoff opens a distillery in Russia and begins making vodka using a revolutionary charcoal filtering process. Later Vladimir Smirnoff fled from Russia during the Revolution and re-established the brand in Europe in the early 1920s.
Showing 1 of 5
1939 - 2001
/diageo-corporate-media/media/p34hh5ml/1939-close-up-of-orginal-crown-royal-bottle-of-whiskey.jpg)
1939
A royal celebration
Crown Royal is created to celebrate the historic visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Canada.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/ov2hkprn/1974-baileys-original-irish-cream-liqueur-launches-widely-regarded-as-the-industry-s-most-successful-new-product-launch-ever.jpg)
1974
Baileys makes a splash
Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur launches, widely regarded as the industry’s most successful new product launch ever.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/b5qad1gk/1997-diageo-is-founded.jpg)
1997
A new company is born
Diageo is formed through the merger of Grand Metropolitan and Guinness.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/zsggvgxq/2000-burger-king-logo.jpg)
2000
Diageo consolidates its operations
Diageo sells food assets—including Burger King and Pillsbury—to focus on premium drinks.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/df3pp34h/2001-close-up-of-captain-morgan-bottle.jpg)
2001
The Captain comes aboard
Diageo acquires some of the Seagram spirits and wine business, which includes brands such as Captain Morgan and Crown Royal.
Showing 1 of 5
2008 - 2022
/diageo-corporate-media/media/5gpph0tw/2008-drinkiq.jpg)
2008
Diageo launches DRINKiQ
Diageo launches DRINKiQ to help consumers make more informed choices about drinking, including the decision not to drink.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/tmnb5fwi/2013-diageo-acquires-a-stake-in-united-spirits-limited.jpg)
2013
Diageo acquires stake in United Spirits Limited
Diageo completes the first stage acquisition of United Spirits Limited, becoming the major shareholder in India’s leading spirits company.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/fiinapii/2019-promo-shot-of-seedlip-bottle.jpg)
2013
Diageo partners on innovation
Diageo partners with Distill Ventures, an accelerator programme that offers alcohol entrepreneurs a route to cash investment, mentoring and access to expertise and funding.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/amljb1g4/2015-diageo-acquires-full-global-ownership-and-control-of-tequila-don-julio.jpg)
2015
Diageo acquires Don Julio
Diageo acquires full global ownership and control of Tequila Don Julio, strengthening our position in the growing super premium and above tequila segments globally.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/vyvbusn3/2017-promo-shot-of-casamigos-bottle.jpg)
2017
Diageo acquires fastest growing Tequila
Diageo acquires Casamigos, the fastest growing super premium tequila in the US. Founded by Rande Gerber, George Clooney and Mike Meldma, Casamigos is made “by friends for friends.”
/diageo-corporate-media/media/0otbrhcd/majority-stake-acquired-in-shuijingfang.jpg)
2019
Diageo adds two new brands to its portfolio
Diageo increases its stake in Chinese baijiu company Sichuan Shuijingfang to almost 70% and buys a majority stake in Seedlip, the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/pdbbhe22/2020-diageo-launch-spirit-of-progress-society-2030.jpg)
2020
Diageo launches ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’
This is our 10-year ESG action plan to help create a more inclusive and sustainable world. We are committed to promoting a positive role for alcohol, championing inclusion and diversity, preserving natural resources and making a positive contribution to the communities in which we live, work, source and sell.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/op5h0sgk/2020-diageo-acquires-aviation-gin-llc.jpg)
2020
Diageo acquires Aviation Gin LLC and Davos Brands LLC
Diageo acquires Aviation Gin LLC and Davos Brands LLC (‘Davos Brands’), supporting our participation in the super premium gin segment in the United States.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/h0qadt0j/2021-mexico-expansion.jpg)
2021
Diageo expands in Mexico
Diageo announces plans to invest $500m to expand manufacturing in Mexico for the tequila category.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/3tqftcvc/2021-diageo-acquires-acquire-chase-distillery.jpg)
2021
Diageo acquires Chase Distillery
Diageo acquires Chase Distillery, bringing the award-winning Chase Original Potato Vodka and seven premium plus gins, including Chase GB Gin, Pink Grapefruit & Pomelo Gin and Rhubarb & Bramley Apple Gin into the Diageo portfolio.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/p5ndyr1u/2021-bulleit-carbon-neutral-distillery.jpg)
2021
Diageo breaks ground on its first carbon neutral distilleries
Diageo announces that its new Kentucky whiskey distillery, which will distill Bulleit, is expected to be carbon neutral – one of the largest in North America, and a first for Diageo, the site will be powered by 100% renewable electricity, with a capacity to produce up to 10 million proof gallons per year.
Learn more about Bulleit's carbon neutral distillery
Diageo breaks ground on the construction of a new US$75 million distillery to produce the group’s first China-origin, single malt whisky. The distillery in Yunnan Province will be carbon neutral when it opens.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/qlpfjp0o/2021-johnnie-walker-princes-street.jpg)
2021
Johnnie Walker Princes Street raises the bar for visitor experiences
Johnnie Walker Princes Street opens in Edinburgh, leading the way for tourism in the capital. The venue is the centrepiece of Diageo’s £185 million investment in Scotch whisky tourism, following the opening of new experiences at the Glenkinchie, Clynelish and Cardhu distilleries.
/diageo-corporate-media/media/xnqge0ck/diageo-soho.jpg)
2022
Diageo's new Global HQ opens in London
Diageo moves its global headquarters from Park Royal, NW10, to a new central London home, 16 Great Marlborough Street, W1.
Showing 1 of 13