Distil has announced that its Blavod Black vodka has been approved for sale in the US by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

The scotch whisky industry, adds almost £5 billion in value every year to the UK economy, according to a report commissioned by the Scotch Whisky Association.

Diageo has appointed a digital and e-commerce manager for Europe – a new role created to unify the company’s digital practices and develop a comprehensive digital presence.

Wild Turkey master distiller Jimmy Russell has announced that he has promoted his son, Eddie, to share his responsibilities.

Bacardi has announced an internal appointment of a new regional president for Europe.

Maxxium UK’s managing director Huw Pennell is leaving to take up a new job at Edrington, one of Maxxium’s shareholders.

The move to new halls will allow fresh ideas and innovation in the wine sector, according to the Prowein organisers.

The 2015 Vinexpo is a turning point. It is the second generation, so says the new CEO, Guillaume Deglise.

Bacardí has unveiled a new range of proprietary bottlings from its John Dewar & Sons’ Aultmore distillery. 

Johnnie Walker is today (Dec 4) staging a driving spectacular in Edinburgh with some Formula 1 stars to encourage people to never drink and drive.

Edrington has marked the official start of works on its £100 million distillery and visitor centre for its The Macallan single malt scotch whisky brand.

The Scotch Whisky Association has appointed Pierre Pringuet, CEO of Pernod Ricard, as its new chairman.

Gin distiller Hayman has launched a small batch gin called Family Reserve, which is rested for three weeks in aged scotch whisky barrels.

Rossi D’Asiago has announced that its flagship sambuca Antica, the second best selling brand in the category worldwide, will be distributed in Russia by the Synergy Group.

The first Armagnac Academy in China took place on Thursday October 30 in Beijing at the Crown Plaza hotel in the Wangfujing district.

Asia remains the key region for the long-term development of the global alcohol market, according to the IWSR’s latest report.

Spirit France, leading producer of Calvados with the brands Père Magloire, Boulard and Lecompte, has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Armagnac brand: Janneau.

Martell, which claims to be the oldest of the great cognac houses, is celebrating its 300th anniversary with the release of a new limited edition expression, Martell Premier Voyage.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s Spirits Committee has elected Finn O’Driscoll, managing director of SHS Drinks, as its new chairman. He replaces Chris Searle.

Irish Distillers is opening the doors to its Irish Whiskey Academy to the general public with in-depth courses available to spirits enthusiasts from December this year.

The Explorers Club has announced that it has come to a settlement with Diageo over the use of its name in regard to the global number one scotch whisky brand, Johnnie Walker.

Exports of scotch in the first half of the year were £1.77 billion, down 11% from £1.99bn in the same period of 2013, according to the Scotch Whisky Association.

William Grant & Sons' new €37 million distillery in the small Irish town of Tullamore, officially opened on September 17.

Pernod Ricard UK managing director, Denis O’Flynn has been elected as the next chairman of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), succeeding Nick Hyde in January 2015.

Pernod Ricard CEO Pierre Pringuet remains optimistic about China despite 23% decline in sales in its full year results.

Diageo Global Travel has announced the opening of two Johnnie Walker House retail showcase stores in travel retail – one in Mumbai, India and another in Taipei, Taiwan.

Berry Bros. & Rudd Spirits is to distribute Karlsson’s Gold vodka worldwide, except in the US.

UK distribution of Averna, the second best-selling bitter in Italy, has gone to J. Wray and Nephew UK.

The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association has embarked on a new Responsible Retail Training Programme (RRTP) for DFS staff in stores at Singapore Changi airport.

Edrington and the Kyndal Group have announced a 50:50 joint venture to bottle, distribute and market Cutty Sark scotch whisky in India.

Stock Spirits Group PLC, the Central and Eastern European branded spirits producer, has announced its six monthly results for the period ended June 30, 2014.

Bacardi Limited has announced the immediate appointment of Kevin F. McNamara as Bacardi Limited senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), responsible for global financial operations.

Beam Suntory has announced the appointment of Mauricio Restrepo as the company’s chief financial officer.

William Grant & Sons has reported the installation of the custom-made spirit safe at what will become the new distillery for Tullamore Dew, its Irish whiskey brand.

The Tax Free World Association has announced Air France-KLM CEO Alexandre de Juniac will speak at the opening conference of its Cannes exhibition in October.

The George pub in Frant, East Sussex in southern England is to host the Sloe Gin World Championships on Wednesday December 10 from 1.00pm.

William Grant & Sons has appointed Kevin Abrook, currently global marketing manager innovation for whisky as its first ever global whisky specialist, innovation.

Diageo Global Travel and Middle East (GTME) managing director Doug Bagley, has announced two senior appointments to his Singapore-based team.

Charles Joly of The Aviary in Chicago is Diageo’s World Class Bartender of the Year.

The Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) has announced that the first half of 2014 saw the WSET Level 3 award in wines and spirits being run for the first time in Chinese.

The West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ Association (WIRSPA) has approved the incorporation of Hampden Estate Gold, Monymusk Plantation Special Reserve and Westerhall Vintage into its Authentic Caribbean Rum (ACR) marquee.

Rémy Cointreau has announced the promotion of former LVMH boss Panos Sarantopoulos as CEO of its liqueurs and spirits division.

Ambitious UK bartenders are being invited to participate in a competition to create a fresh take on Jerry Thomas’ classic ‘Gin Cocktail’.

Gonzalez Byass, the major sherry producer, has unveiled a new whisky which, it claims, is a first and could represent the beginning of a new spirits category.

Bacardi Limited has announced the internal appointments of two new regional presidents.

William Grant & Sons has unveiled a new Glenfiddich expression.

Diageo has announced the appointment of Vickie Sheriff as global communications director. Sheriff will report to Charlotte Lambkin, global corporate relations director, and be responsible for external communications and employee engagement. She starts on September 1.

Beam Suntory has announced that it will begin distribution of the Suntory Japanese and scotch whiskies and Midori liqueur in the US and Germany beginning July 1.

Baptiste Loiseau, Rémy Martin’s new cellarmaster, was in London yesterday (June 11) as part of the farewell celebrations for the retiring Pierrette Trichet.

Baptiste Loiseau, Rémy Martin’s new cellarmaster, was in London yesterday (June 11) as part of the farewell celebrations for the retiring Pierrette Trichet.