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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Money & Work • Alcohol

Diageo

Diageo plc is a British multinational alcoholic beverage company headquartered in London, England.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Diageo is a British multinational alcoholic beverage company formed in 1997 from the merger of Guinness and Grand Metropolitan. It is one of the world's largest producers and distributors of spirits and beer, with brands like Johnnie Walker, Guinness, and Smirnoff.

What it is

Diageo plc is a public limited company headquartered in London, England. It was created in 1997 through the merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan plc. The company produces and distributes spirits, beer, wine, and liqueurs across nearly 180 countries.

Key brands and products

Diageo's portfolio includes some of the world's best-known alcoholic beverage brands: Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray, and Don Julio. It also owns Crown Royal, a Canadian whisky brand, making it a significant player in the North American market.

Why it matters

Diageo is widely regarded as a global leader in beverage alcohol, especially in Scotch whisky and premium spirits. Its products are sold in nearly 180 countries, and the company operates more than 130 distilleries, breweries, and bottling plants worldwide.

In short

  • Formed in 1997 from the merger of Guinness and Grand Metropolitan.
  • Headquartered in London, England; operates in nearly 180 countries.
  • Owns major brands including Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, and Crown Royal.
  • One of the world's largest producers of spirits and beer.
Canadian angle

Diageo sells products in Canada and owns Crown Royal, a Canadian whisky brand, which is one of its well-known North American labels.[2][12][13]

Quick questions

What is Diageo?
Diageo is a British multinational alcoholic beverage company that produces and distributes spirits, beer, wine, and liqueurs.
When was Diageo founded?
Diageo was formed in 1997 through the merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan plc.
What brands does Diageo own?
Its brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray, and Don Julio, as well as Canadian whisky Crown Royal.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diageo
    Supports: Headquarters, formation from merger, operations, and major brands
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/money/Diageo-PLC
    Supports: Company overview, brands, global operations, merger history
  3. Diageo plc — https://www.diageo.com/~/media/Files/D/Diageo-V2/Diageo-Corp/investors/results-reports-and-events/reports/2017/176_diageo-2017-20-f.pdf
    Supports: Corporate status, incorporation history, company description
  4. Forbes — https://www.forbes.com/companies/diageo/
    Supports: Headquarters, brands, business segments
  5. Diageo plc — https://www.diageo.com/~/media/Files/D/Diageo-V2/Diageo-Corp/investors/results-reports-and-events/reports/2014/15_2014_strategic_report.pdf
    Supports: Global beverage alcohol description
  6. Diageo plc — https://media.diageo.com/diageo-corporate-media/media/s3lbwp31/57_fact_sheet_final.pdf
    Supports: Country reach, listing venues, workforce, manufacturing locations, merger origin