Danish whisky Stauning has launched the ‘Stauning Drinks Kollektive’, a global cocktail competition which aims to shine a light on bartenders from Denmark, Germany, France, the UK, US and Australia.

Campari Group has launched the Vermouth Society, a new global bartender engagement programme designed around Vermouth Del Professore and 1757 Vermouth di Torino.

Actor Cate Blanchett has joined Toku Saké as creative director where she will direct the strategy of the brand, including new product development and innovation.

Ready-to-serve cocktail brand Whitebox Cocktails has partnered with brand-building agency, Artisan Spirits, to expand its international distribution.

Schweppes has announced the launch of its European-wide brand ambassador programme.

US Beverage LLC (USB) has signed an agreement with German wheat beer brand Erdinger to be the exclusive US importer for its portfolio.

US Beverage LLC (USB) has signed an agreement with German wheat beer brand Erdinger to be the exclusive US importer for the brand’s portfolio.

Whisky producer, The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC), and owner of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), has acquired US-based independent bottling brand, Single Cask Nation.

Moth expands into the US

21 November, 2023

UK RTD brand Moth (Mix of Total Happiness) is launching in the US this week.

Drinks International can exclusively reveal that non-alcoholic spirits brand, Lyre’s, has appointed DJ David Guetta as global brand ambassador.

Altamura Distilleries has introduced Lorenzo Di Cola, formerly of the Experimental Cocktail Club group, to its team as international head of brand across all key global markets, including Italy, the US, UK and India.

Leading Cuban rum brand, Havana Club is proud to unveil its groundbreaking global bartending competition: Havana Club Cocktail Maestros, which sets the stage for a new era in the cocktail world.

Malibu has partnered with anti-spiking charity Stamp Out Spiking to train 2,000 on-trade staff and consumers about dealing with a dangerous spiking situation.

Drinks distributor Speciality Brands has signed an agreement with Chopin Vodka, to exclusively distribute the Polish brand in the UK from this October.

The Lost Explorer Mezcal has appointed Alan Uresti Silva, previously of Annabel’s, as UK brand ambassador.

Stock Spirits Group has announced the finalisation of two acquisitions including Clan Campbell from Pernod Ricard and the purchase of the Société Dugas.

Edrington UK has announced the appointment of its latest UK brand diplomat for Maker’s Mark bourbon, Charlotte Pederson.

Spanish gin brand Puerto de Indias has announced its partnership for distribution in the UK with Love Drinks.

Australia-based Cherubino Wines has announced the acquisition of winery and spirits brand, Margaret River Winemakers.

Desolas Mezcal has announced a new distribution partnership with Renaissance Wine Merchants to expand its footprint into Canada.

Mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor has announced the launch of his Irish stout brand Forged into the UK market through 350 ASDA stores on August 5.

Former Big Brother contestants, Sukhvinder and Imran Javeed, have founded a new tequila brand called Sphynx. 

The IWSR has recognised Trivento winery as the world’s top-selling Argentine wine brand.

Korean soju brand Jinro has launched the first of three activations in Europe planned for 2023 after breaking 100m 9-litre cases.

While they put a focus on the spirit, some experts believe the explosion of brands backed by famous faces does the category and quality expectations no favours.

Outcast Brands, the company behind Blood Monkey Gin and Two Shores Rum, has announced their partnership with bbb drinks for the distribution and brand activation of their premium spirits in the UK market. 

High Point, the fermented non-alcoholic aperitif and digestif brand, has changed its name to Wavelength and unveiled a new logo. 

Mixer brand The London Essence, Calvados brand Avallen and low carbon, low waste spirits distribution technology ecoSpirits, have joined together to create ‘The Sustainable Spritz’, a low waste serve that eliminates single use glass.

Korean Soju brand Jinro has once again topped the list of Drinks International’s The Millionaires’ Club having sold more than 100m 9-litre cases in 2022.

Norwegian cocktail bar Himkok, will be hosting ten international cocktail bars for two nights of takeovers in celebration of Himkok’s eight year anniversary and the 2023 Norse Bar Show, on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 June.

The Macallan has revealed the next instalment in its series celebrating the classic advertising campaigns of the brand, Folio 7.

Everleaf non-alcoholic aperitif has become B-Corp certified, marking a major milestone in the brand's sustainability journey, which has been key to the business since its launch in 2019.

Antinori has been named The World’s Most Admired Wine Brand 2023 and it is the first Italian winery in history to top the list.

27 February, 2023

Three Sixty Vodka is market leader in the premium vodka segment in Germany.

Last year, 23 Restaurant Services acquired and added Don the Beachcomber restaurant brand to its portfolio, now in honour of Donn’s birthday on 22 February, the Tampa, Florida-based hospitality company is moving forward with an expansive growth strategy for its new tiki-themed restaurant brand.

Atlanta-based Shortbarrel has announced the acquisition of the Old Fourth Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in Atlanta, US.

Havana Club is reducing the weight of glass bottles across its core portfolio in a move that it estimates will save 2.2K tons of CO2 per year.

Drinks marketing, events and brand activation agency, ItalSpirits, has appointed Roberta Mariani as advocacy director.

Trois Frères Distillery, the makers of Takamaka Rum in the Seychelles, has announced that it is launching into Taiwan through boutique importer and distributor Bring The Rocks.

UKGB and Molinari join forces

20 December, 2022

The UKGB and Molinari have announced a joint partnership to build awareness and relationships within the UK hospitality industry.

English gin, Brockmans, has expanded its brand management and marketing teams with drinks specialists, Eric Sampers and Helen Buchanan. 

Spanish drinks group Vantguard has announced a three-way partnership with DJ Carl Cox and investment group B-Ikonik with Ibiza-inspired brand, Islena.

In September, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto celebrated the anniversary of its sixth year. To mark the occasion, the brand announced the release of a new book outlining the first five years of Italicus. Drinks International caught up with founder Giuseppe Gallo to talk about the evolution of the brand.

Premium tequila brand Cazcabel has announced that its $37million distillery is set to open in Atotonilco El Alto in the Jalisco highlands of Mexico in 2023.

Iichiko shochu has signed an importer agreement with Shaw-Ross International Importers to expand its availability across the US.

Ukrainian vodka brand Nemiroff has partnered with Disaronno International for exclusive distribution in the Benelux market.

Diageo has announced the sale of Archers, the Peach Schnapps brand, to De Kuyper Royal Distillers. 

Heineken UK has announced the purchase of the remaining shares of Beavertown Brewery, having purchased a minority stake in 2018, assuming full ownership of London’s largest brewery.

Jack Daniel’s owner Brown-Forman has confirmed the purchase of gin brand Gin Mare from Spanish premium drinks company, Vantguard.

Japanese spirits brand Ukiyo has launched its Blossom Gin, Yuzu Gin, and Rice Vodka in New Zealand after agreeing a distribution deal.

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