Diageo plc, the global booze giant, has been serving up more than just spirits. They’ve been dishing out a hefty dose of controversy, scandal, and corporate fuckery. From misleading investors to duping tequila lovers, Diageo’s rap sheet is as long as a bar tab after a night of heavy drinking.
Tequila Tainted with Lies
In May 2025, Diageo got hit with a class action lawsuit. The charge? Falsely marketing their fancy Casamigos and Don Julio tequilas as ‘100% agave.’ But lab tests allegedly showed these high-priced bottles were cut with cane or other non-agave alcohols. Consumers thought they were sipping the good stuff; instead, they got duped. Diageo denies the claims, but the lawsuit is ongoing, and the potential fallout could be massive. If you’re charging premium prices for a premium product, you’d better damn well deliver.
Cooking the Books
Back in 2020, the SEC caught Diageo with their hand in the cookie jar. The company was pushing unneeded products to distributors to meet sales targets, cooking the books to make their growth look better than it was. The SEC wasn’t amused, slapping Diageo with a £3.5 million fine. It’s the kind of shady accounting that makes you wonder what else they’re hiding behind those polished boardroom doors.
Diddy Calls Out the Hypocrisy
Then there’s the 2024 showdown with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Diddy sued Diageo, calling them out for racism and underinvesting in the brands he was fronting. He claimed Diageo’s diversity talk was all hot air, pointing to their billion-pound splurge on Casamigos while giving Cîroc and DeLeón the short end of the stick. Diageo settled, taking full control of DeLeón, but not before the lawsuit left a stain on their reputation. When Diddy, a guy who’s seen his share of controversy, calls your practices shady, maybe it’s time for some soul-searching. If he’s looking at you sideways, there’s likely something rotten in the mix.
Victim-Blaming Blunder
In 2015, Diageo decided to run an ad that was about as tone-deaf as it gets. Picture this: a young woman crying after a night out, with the caption suggesting her drinking led to her assault. Yeah, they went there. The backlash was swift and fierce, with critics slamming the company for victim-blaming. It was a PR disaster that showed just how out of touch Diageo could be. Who the hell thought that was a good idea?
Whisky Shenanigans
From 2003 to 2006, Diageo played fast and loose with their Cardhu whisky. They switched it from a single malt to a blended malt but kept the name and bottle, trying to pull a fast one on consumers. Whisky lovers weren’t having it, and the industry pushed back hard. Diageo eventually caved, reverting to the original single malt, but not before damaging the brand’s credibility. It’s a classic case of cutting corners for profit and hoping no one notices.
Petty Power Plays
In 2012, Diageo showed their petty side. They allegedly threatened to pull funding from an awards ceremony if BrewDog, a scrappy Scottish craft brewery, won the top prize. When BrewDog got wind of it, they turned the tables, launching a social media campaign that made Diageo look like bullies. Diageo had to eat crow and apologise, but it was another example of their willingness to play dirty. Nothing says ‘corporate integrity’ like trying to kneecap a smaller rival over a bloody award.
The Sobering Truth
Diageo’s history of controversies and scandals is a sobering reminder that even the biggest companies can stumble. From misleading investors to duping consumers, their actions have consequences. As the tequila lawsuit unfolds, one can only hope that Diageo learns from their mistakes and cleans up their act. But given their track record, I’m not holding my breath. This is a company that’s been pouring out excuses almost as fast as they pour their spirits.
Lee Thompson – Founder, The Cummins Accountability Project
This article is based on publicly available information and court documents. For more details, see the sources listed below.
Sources:
- Reuters: Lawsuit accuses Diageo of duping U.S. consumers about tequila purity
- SEC: Diageo plc Settles Charges of Disclosure Failures
- Bloomberg: Diageo Settles Racism Dispute With Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
- Wikipedia: Diageo – Controversies
- Wikipedia: Cardhu distillery
- The Telegraph: Scottish beer company BrewDog forces Diageo to apologise over ‘dirty tricks’ at awards