Kirker Greer Spirits has announced its expansion into the Singaporean market from early spring, partnering with distributor The First Pour.

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

Altamura Distilleries has announced its entry into the Indian market through its partnership with Amistad Spirits, an import and distribution house based in Delhi.

Spirits distributor Speciality Brands is adding Takamaka to its rum portfolio, alongside signing an exclusive partnership with Chichibu Distillery, taking over from Speciality Drinks.

Edinburgh’s Holyrood Distillery has secured a new funding package with specialist wine and spirits fintech Ferovinum, to support its domestic and international growth plans in 2024 and beyond.

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.

Africa's first bi-annual international cocktail and spirits festival, Ajabu, is set to debut in Johannesburg and Cape Town in 2024.

Sazerac Company has announced the renaming of subsidiary spirits distributor Hi-Spirits UK, to Sazerac UK.

Drinks distributor Speciality Brands has signed an agreement with French spirits producer Distillerie de Grandmont to exclusively distribute the brand’s expressions in the UK from this month.

International Beverage has announced its acquisition of New Zealand spirits producer, Cardrona Distillery.

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.

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

The Elevated Spirits Company, producer of the Cierto Tequila portfolio, has announced the appointment of its senior leadership team.

Molson Coors Beverage Company has reached an agreement to acquire Blue Run Spirits, producer of bourbon and rye whiskies.

New government regulations have been introduced in the UK from August 1 which will see alcoholic beverages now taxed on strength.

Sydney-based brewing group, Lion, has completed its takeover of Australian spirits producer Four Pillars for an undisclosed sum. 

The IWSR Drinks Market Analysis reported that the global spirits category grew 5% in volume in 2022, driven by whisky, rum and brandy. 

US rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has sued Diageo over racism allegations and undermining the partnership with Combs Wines and Spirits.

Edrington UK, supplier of whisky and cognac, has launched a podcast series, The Stillhouse Podcast, hosted by UK spirits expert, Becky Paskin.

La Martiniquaise has announced the acquisition of French spirit Generous Gin, to add to the group’s premium offer and its ‘Craft From France’ portfolio.

Steven Soderbergh has dipped into the oceans of spirits and secured his favourite Bolivian drink its own classification.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka has appointed three new distributors in Germany, Greece, and Hungary, increasing its footprint in Europe.

A new report by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has revealed that total US spirits exports reached a record $2.06bn in 2022, buoyed by the temporary halt to retaliatory tariffs, with American whiskey exports to the UK remaining lower than pre-tariff levels.

Irish spirits maker, The Boatyard Distillery, has announced it has earned B-Corporation certification.

In memory of its late distiller, Nao Spirits and Beverages, the craft gin distillers form India, have announced the Jay Dhawan Scholarship in association with the Gin Guild. 

California, US has introduced a bill to allow spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages to be sold under the same licence as beer and wine.

Non-alcoholic spirits brand, Crossip, has expanded into new markets across Europe, GCC and North America, alongside key local distribution partners.

Flavour company Empirical has announced the UK launch of its two latest spirits, SOKA (43% abv) and Symphony 6 (40% abv).

The upcoming Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris exhibition, due to take place from 13 to 15 February 2023 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, is dedicating a hall to the spirits and craft beverage arena, Be Spirits.

A response to the notion that 'without criticism there is only marketing', by DI editor Shay Waterworth.

In September, Diageo acquired Australian cold brew coffee liqueur brand Mr Black from accelerator programme, Distill Ventures. Drinks International caught up with Frank Lampen, chief executive and co-founder of Distill Ventures to talk about the purchase and what’s next for the programme.

The global mezcal market is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2031, new data by Straits Research has revealed.

Bacardi Global Travel Retail has unveiled the Fine Spirits Emporium, at the newly opened CDF Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Hainan province.

Mangrove Global, the premium UK spirits distributor, has announced the addition of East London Liquor Company to its portfolio.

London-bar Silverleaf has partnered with pan-Asian craft spirits brand The Orientalist Spirits to host a series of events throughout the Singapore Grand Prix 2022 weekend.

Young Spirits was founded in 2019 as a small batch bottling site for craft whisky and rum producers. In three years, the business has gone from strength to strength, tripling its revenue and growing from two to 42 employees. 

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

Domaine Tariquet Pure Folle Blanche 15 ans has been named the Supreme Champion at the International Spirits Challenge 2022, becoming the first armagnac in ISC history to do so.

Proximo Spirits has undergone a brand relaunch for its 1800 Tequila range, revamping its packaging design in EMEA and APAC markets for its Silver, Coconut, Anejo & Reposado skews. 

Modernising Calvados

28 June, 2022

The apple-based spirit’s newest incarnations are at odds with outdated consumer perceptions, but a new breed of producer is working to change this.

United Spirits Limited (Diageo India) has announced an investment of INR 31.5 crores (US$ 4.1m) to acquire a strategic minority stake in Nao Spirits.

The Scandinavian chic approach has had a huge influence on the modern bar scene. Thin glassware, no garnishes and plain interiors have become the norm for a lot of top bars around the world and to fit this aesthetic many have reduced their spirits offering.

Pernod Ricard UK has expanded its American whiskey portfolio with Rabbit Hole making the UK the first European market to launch the brand.

Sales of no and low alcohol beverages in 10 key global markets reached almost $10 billion in 2021 up from $7.8 billion in 2018, according to a new IWSR report.

The non-alcoholic spirits category debuted in last year’s report, but the sector has quickly taken root and now no drinks group’s portfolio is complete without one.

Probably of all the leagues in the Annual Brands Report, a place in the Bartenders’ Choice list is the most sought-after among brands.

Italian spirits company, Illva Saronno has launched the craft organic gin brand, Engine in the UK.

In 2020, craft spirits in the US volume gains of almost 8%, growing to a 5% volume share and 7% value share of the total US spirits market, according to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis.

Proof Creative, the bar and beverage consultancy arm of the Asia Pacific-based independent spirits distributor Proof & Co, has launched its 20 Pillar Plan as an online resource.

Digital Edition

Drinks International digital edition is available ahead of the printed magazine. Don’t miss out, make sure you subscribe today to access the digital edition and all archived editions of Drinks International as part of your subscription.

Comment

La'Mel Clarke

Service isn’t servitude: the skill of hosting

La’Mel Clarke, front of house at London’s Seed Library, looks at the forgotten art of hosting and why it deserves the same respect as bartending.

Instagram

Facebook